Console Bench test SNAFU

[Joes4x4Ranger]

I'm trying to install an overhead console in my '91 XLT. Before I cut up my headliner I want to make sure the console works. I tried bench testing, hooking up the power/ground/light circuits. I have 2 consoles I bought used 1 will give the digital display for 2-3 seconds and then go black, the other will do nothing.

Is there something I'm not doing correctly in the bench test or are BOTH the consoles FUBAR?

 

[TedJ]

What are you using as a power supply?

 

[Joes4x4Ranger]

I added a "Fuse Tap" off my main fuse block. It's a 10 amp HOT WITH KEY ON only. I installed the entire wire harness as if nothing was wrong. It is wired exactly as shown in the "How To" thread. I plug in the consoles, turn the key on, and as I said before, one does nothing, and one shows a jumbled display for 2-3 seconds and goes black.

The lights are working prefect, I can switch them on with the headlamp switch dimmer, push the buttons on them and they come on, and they come on automatically as dome lights when I open a door.

The wire harness and plug are just tucked up under my headliner for now, till I figure out if I wired wrong or just have REAL ****ty luck and got 2 bad consoles.

 

[TedJ]

All segments on the display should come on, the go out, then display the normal temperature and compass. Black wire to ground, Black/Blue and Gray/Yellow to +12 for basic testing purposes. You might have two bad ones if the wiring is correct... that would suck. Try connecting it directly to the battery to make sure its not a wiring defect.

 

[Joes4x4Ranger]

Well looks like I had 2 bad units. I got a new computer(the guts) unit off e-Bay plugged it in works perfect. One bad unit I got from Midwest Mustang and they told me I'm **** out of luck. Won't buy a thing from them again ever, not even a lug nut. Sometimes even site sponsors suck.