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Topic: Tripminder installed, and I was RIGHT! (Read 28677 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Tripminder installed, and I was RIGHT!

Reply #15 –
Thank you!! :bowdown:
95 Ranger Splash 2.3
88 Tbird Sport :ies::ies:
5.0 SO, stainless shorty headers, w/ Magnaflow lers. KYB struts, KYB shocks. 5lug conversion from sn95 Mustang, subframe connectors, drilled and slotted rotors, 03 Mach 1 wheels. sequential taillights.140 speedo

tripminder install issues

Reply #16 –
alright, i wired the tripminder up according to the diagrams, and i took it into the car, dropped the glove box so id be able to test it without installing it

i set the clock, date, time, etc and got it all working, so i installed the brackets, and disconnected it to mount it in place

i connect the harness, and mount it with on screw, and see it didnt come on, wtf, worked a minute ago, so i untape the harness, check everything, check the pins, everything looks good

so i turn the key onto the run position, and my speedometer goes nuts, jumping, pegging 85 and back to 0 a few times, and im confused, so i start the car, and let it run, and my other gauges are fluctuating a bit, which isnt making sense to me, and the tripminder is reading

000000000
xxxxxxxxxx

or however many other digits there are, so i disconnect it, then my door chime starts working, so i either wired it wrong, or there is a variation in the harness's between years
It's Gumby's fault.

Re: tripminder install issues

Reply #17 –
and an update, i went out, and my gauges settled, but the tripminder was still reading

00:00
xxxxxx

i turn the key off, and look, and its still reading that, so i probably have a short somewhere for all these problems to be happening, since the tripminder was sitting on my seat in the sun, it got really hot, so im going to let it cool off, and try it again, and ill probably install it just so theres something in the hole, since my clock harness is now my tripminder harness

just been one of those days....
It's Gumby's fault.

Re: tripminder install issues

Reply #18 –
I already sasid this in your other thread, but:

The electronics inside the tripminder are almost exactly as big as the tripminder housing. If you used screws, even little bitty ones, to mount the T-Bird brackets to it you may have screwed into the electronics. On one side in particular there is a ribbon cable that is right where your screws would go. If you drove a screw into this you might have shorted a few of the conductors in the ribbon together. When I mounted my brackets I took the tripminder apart and put the (very tiny) screws on the inside facing out, then used nuts to hold the brackets on. Even with the tiny screws the heads were touching the ribbon. I put some electrical tape over them to insulate them from rubbing through the ribbon's coating.
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Re: tripminder install issues

Reply #19 –
so i may look into using some epoxy or something similar on the next one

that should also be added to your sticky, because i wasnt aware of the issue the screws could have caused, since i have a dead tripminder, i might pull it aparts, and maybe take some pics for you to add
It's Gumby's fault.

Re: tripminder install issues

Reply #20 –
That might be a good idea - in fact, I'll merge this thread with that one.
 
Are you sure the tripminder is screwed? Did you try it with the screws removed? Even then, if you take it apart you might be able to fix it by repairing (or bypassing) the broken wires in the ribbon.
 
If you're uncomfortable with electronics and want me to look at it you can send it to me with a check for $10 to cover return shipping to you once it's repaired (if repairable). I would not cash the check until I know if it can be repaired or not, then if I'm unsuccessful you could decide whether you want it shipped back or not.
 
Or you could try the repair yourself - if fixing the ribbon, which would not be difficult, doesn't fix it there's likely not much I could do either unless there is an obviously "blown" component inside that can be replaced.
 
*EDIT* Merged
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Re: Tripminder Install

Reply #21 –
i pulled the screws out, and it gave me a different response, so since it wasnt working, i stuck the screws back in, left it unplugged, and stuck it in the dash just to occupy the hole, ill probably pull the clock out of the red bird to stick in there

in a few days, i may decide to ship it out to you, im not goot with electronics on that small of a scale, converting a speedo or tach is one thing, but these little tripminders are a pain

i gotta also see what cash i have, because im low on cash, and i have a deal i might not be able to pass up...details later
It's Gumby's fault.

Re: Tripminder Install

Reply #22 –
http://www.coolcats.net/tech/advanced/tripminder.html

:D
pro-five-oh

88 Cougar XR-7...5.0HO, T-56, and much more                             
85 Thunderbird 30th...#2471, 29k, all original and might actually stay that way

Re: Tripminder Install

Reply #23 –
also, a tech tip from Tbird232ci pertaining to the tripminder install:

i made the harness per Thunder Chickens directions, but i made it probably 10-12" long

the reason i did this, is because in my car, which is an 87, if you pull the glovebox out, the connector for the clock harness is about 2 inchs up and to the left of the corner, i made the harness that long, so i could snake it through the dash from the clock hole, and have enough slack to connect it from the glovebox, rather than fight it from the clock hole, since i can only get one hand in there
It's Gumby's fault.

Re: Tripminder Install

Reply #24 –
Quote
i made the harness per Thunder Chickens directions, but i made it probably 10-12" long

That's what I did too, for the same reason. :D
95 Ranger Splash 2.3
88 Tbird Sport :ies::ies:
5.0 SO, stainless shorty headers, w/ Magnaflow lers. KYB struts, KYB shocks. 5lug conversion from sn95 Mustang, subframe connectors, drilled and slotted rotors, 03 Mach 1 wheels. sequential taillights.140 speedo

Re: Tripminder Install

Reply #25 –
Quote from: cougarman
That's what I did too, for the same reason. :D

youre trying to compensate for something too?!  :giggle:
It's Gumby's fault.

Re: Tripminder Install

Reply #26 –
don't need to  :banana:  :nutkick:  ;)
95 Ranger Splash 2.3
88 Tbird Sport :ies::ies:
5.0 SO, stainless shorty headers, w/ Magnaflow lers. KYB struts, KYB shocks. 5lug conversion from sn95 Mustang, subframe connectors, drilled and slotted rotors, 03 Mach 1 wheels. sequential taillights.140 speedo

Re: Tripminder Install

Reply #27 –
bringing back from the dead...

i have my tripminder apart, and i did indeed do some damage to the ribbon, it appears that the damaged area is right between two of the "wires" in the ribbon, so i may be able to luck out and repair it myself, i cant really asess the damage since there isnt very good lighting in the house, so im going to wait untill its daylight to mess with it, and i may snap a pic or two
It's Gumby's fault.

Re: Tripminder Install

Reply #28 –
i messed with it a little more, it appears i exposed a little of one wire, and mangled the other, i made sure they wernt touching, and tested it out, still no luck, it acts really weird still

but ill tell you something, that little display is really wild looking at night, when its not in the casing
It's Gumby's fault.

Re: Tripminder Install

Reply #29 –
final update:

i set out to repair the broken ribbon, went to cut the tape off of the "wires" ended up cutting right through one of the wires, and damaging another, so i call it quits on it, im on the search for another one
It's Gumby's fault.