Message Center

[MHanrahan]

I was at a local junkyard today and found a message center in a 95+ explorer. They wanted $95 for it, so I called up the dealership to see how much it would cost to have it installed, of course it being friday afternoon and all, the guy at the service department said he though maybe $500!!!! And of course he would look into it monday. Does anyone know how much it actually cost to install, or could I do it myself, easily. And is $95 a good price? Thanks

 

[Alec]

If your Explorer did not originally come with the message center, then it does not have any of the required wiring for it. A crapload (technical term) of wires would need to be spliced off the main computer and from various sensors. Additional sensors also need to be installed. I'm not saying it can't be done, but it would require a bunch of work and there is the risk of messing something up. I do not know of anyone who has successfully retrofitted the message center into their truck, but there have been many who've tossed around the idea only to find out that it requires too much work. However, if you attempt it, good luck! And we want to see pics of the installation!

 

[01EB5.0]

one person i have e-mailed has successfully done this conversion. He said it took many hours (22 or so) of work and splicing. If you want his e-mail address let me know and I'll see if I can find it

 

[espnfreak]

what do you guys mean when you say message center? I am drawing a blank...

 

[Ryan1]

yes do tell

what is the message center you speak of

 

[01EB5.0]

You ever been in an eddie bauer or limited 95 or newer explorer? in the center console, instead of the "storage thinggies" (technical term) there will be a computer display telling miles per gallon, miler per empty, when oil needs to be changed, as well as if any fluid levels are low. pretty neat feature.

 

[Ryan1]

oooohhhhh yummmy.......im getttin the thinkies now....how would that look in my......

Where do they mount??? And are they only in the 95 plus' I might have to go back to the yard and have a looksee


Ryan1

 

[01EB5.0]

Sorry buddy...It wasn't available in the 94 or older models. it was introduced in the high seris center console on the 1995 and newer models.

 

[Mike 92 XLT]

I was reading another thread and one of the people who replied to it has apparently added the message center to his 98 XLT. His name is 93EddieBauer, and in his sig. line it says, "1998 XLT, Stock except for added message center." Here's the link to the thread:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=28437

His post is third from the bottom. Maybe you could email him.

peace

Mike

 

[Mike 92 XLT]

OK, I need to start reading everything before I post. He included his email address in his sig. too. It's kmagedanz@hotmail.com. This guy is really cool. He sent me a wiring diagram and helped me out when I installed my overhead console. I'm sure he would be more than happy to answer any of your questions.

peace

Mike

 

[01EB5.0]

Yeah, i think thats the guy who sent me a wiring diagram of the message center too. i still do not know if I am up to doing it. he said it took over 20 hours of splicing and stuff....oh well

 

[Dan M "Wise87"]

I'm try to wire up a high series center console to my 2000 XLS. I want to be able to use the rear AC control and radio controls. Does anyone have a wiring diagram of how to do this. I have the connector end that connects to the console. I made sure I had 12in of extra wiring before I cut them from the other vehicle. I looked at the wires coming from the fan unit (console) and there only appear to be 7 wires need to get the AC unit to work. I'll worry about the radio wires later, summer is coming and I would like to get the rear air working first.

 

[espnfreak]

95xlt ,we could get together and do it sometime since you live so close to me. You in? that'd be phat if we could get that message center. one problem though, would i have to remount my moonroof switch, and how much would it cost?

 

[MHanrahan]

20+ hours, or $500 at the dealer, too much for me. I also need to replace the lever that reclines the driver seat, funny story, the dealer told me with labor it would be about $200. So I decided to go to the local junk yard, and of course the X's were all about 1/2 a mile back. so I got to take of the assembly, and discover I dont have the friggin star screw driver needed to get it off, so I carry the friggin seat 1/2 a mile back to the building, to try and get them to take it off, to have them tell me oh we can't take that off someone might want to buy that seat, you need to go find a wrecked seat. Well when I go back tommorow, I'm bringing my swiss army knife, and if I can't find a wrecked seat, I'm gonna make myself one, hahaha

 

[Flounder]

I, too, broke the handle off. No clue why. I think it was because I slide off the seat when I get out... but I don't have a big glutius maximus... Regardlesss, dealer wanted $70 for the part + labor. I chose to not recline, hah!

 

[Cameron]

I would like to know, aside from the wiring harnesses themselves, what other sensors are needed to install the message center into an Explorer that didn’t have one? Anyone have a clue on this. I wouldn’t care if it took me a month to splice it in, I want one.

 

[espnfreak]

I dont care if it takes me a month matt, that was hillarious, i can tell you want one really bad. so do i, i need one of those things soooo bad. i want the advantages of the eddie bauer computer...c'mon people someone has to know...drool....

 

[01EB5.0]

From what I hear all you gotta add is the sensor for the washer fluid resivoir. other then that it's all splicing for everything else, oil pressure, coolant temp, voltage, and tanything else.

 

[01EB5.0]

For yopu guys in the NOIEC I'll try to get the wiring diagram for this message center....better yet I'll try to snag a 97 Eddie Bauer from my Dad's company and bring it to the 27th meeting!