Just got a 98 EB! Pics and questions :)

[bobflood]

No idea - certainly Ethernet was not standard equipment on a '98! Maybe previous owner wired something in?? Are you sure it's an Ethernet port? In my '97 EB the 6 disc CD changer is in the center console. Is yours there? If not, it could be the connector for the CD changer.

 

[cm8809]

Definitely looks Ethernet (or for a phone cord) and it looks factory too. It clips into an Ethernet connector shaped hole in the center console insert. Think there's 12v of power going to it I could tap into or something? I want a way to power my gps!

 

[bobflood]

Check out ranger7ltr's response re it being for a factory phone. I don't have one on my 97. Don't know about 12V being on it. What I did is run a wire pair from the back of the auxilary power socket on the passenger footwell side of the console, running up along the inside edge of the console and up into the center section, then put a 12V female socket on the end of it. IIRC, I had to punch a hole in the bottom of the black plastic insert in the center console to pull the wire through. Voila! - power for phone, GPS, what have you.

BTW, how are you doing on the drivers side lock?

 

[cm8809]

Also - is there a way to get the door panels off without ruining all the white Christmas trees? If not, can I find suitable replacements at like autozone?

 

[bobflood]

You just have to pop them out one at a time. You don't absolutly need it, but there is a tool at the auto parts stores that works pretty well. Usually, the "Christmas trees" are good for a few assembly/disassembly cycles before you have to replace them. Again, most auto parts stores sell them.

 

[cm8809]

Check out ranger7ltr's response re it being for a factory phone. I don't have one on my 97. Don't know about 12V being on it. What I did is run a wire pair from the back of the auxilary power socket on the passenger footwell side of the console, running up along the inside edge of the console and up into the center section, then put a 12V female socket on the end of it. IIRC, I had to punch a hole in the bottom of the black plastic insert in the center console to pull the wire through. Voila! - power for phone, GPS, what have you.

BTW, how are you doing on the drivers side lock?

Gotcha. I'll probably just tap into the fuse box for the 12v power - right now I have it plugged into my cigarette lighter though. Any idea if I can CUT the wire that goes from my GPS to the cig lighter, and then splice a new wire onto it to run to a 12v power source? IE does the wire that connects my gps to the cig lighter carry anything besides 12v of power? I'm nervous to cut it since the male end is so specific, but if its just 12v i'll cut it and run my own power wire.

You just have to pop them out one at a time. You don't absolutly need it, but there is a tool at the auto parts stores that works pretty well. Usually, the "Christmas trees" are good for a few assembly/disassembly cycles before you have to replace them. Again, most auto parts stores sell them.

Gotcha. As far as the locks go - I have 1 new actuator and assembly, I took off the passenger door panel and got down to actually replacing the actuator and decided I was too drunk (oops) to keep messing with it. So I put it all back together for another day, and accidentally forgot to plug the actuator back in haha. So now it only locks and unlocks with the keyhole / handle. I wanted to double check on the christmas tree thing before I started tearing into it again. Like I said, I was a little drunk when I was last working on it and it seemed like a big deal

Thanks for all the advice. I've cleaned it up a bit, as well as re-upholstered my center console cover. I'll post pics soon!

 

[bobflood]

Re the GPS: It just carries 12 volt, but if you cut and splice you can't move the GPS very easily. I would put a 12V socket on the end of the power wire you run and just plug in the GPS (or phone or laptop or anythig else).
Good call re stopping work - IMHO booze and car repair don't mix. Plenty of time for beer after the job is done.
Sounds like you need to get all this work done - isn't it about winter up there??

 

[cm8809]

Well, I cut the gps wite to tap it into the fuse box, and it ended up being three smaller wires. Red, black, and white. So I should run these seperate, right? Red bower, black ground, white = ?

 

[cm8809]

Did a little research, seems I jumped the gun a little. It needs 5v of power, not 12 so it's not as simple as just running power to it. I think i'll buy the longest cord they have and just run it to the passenger side cigarette lighter somehow.

 

[cm8809]

So, I replaced my master switch for a new one and now all of the window controls work perfectly . Next step has to be the locks. My uncle is a ford mechanic, and has agreed to help me tackle the job sometime this week. I'll keep you
guys posted. Also, got my key fob today. Works like a charm - shame half of my doors don't respond to it haha.

 

[Joe Dirt]

cm- check my thread below for your GPS info...

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=274539