While the Center Console is out...

[aipri]

So I have my center console out to install a new head unit and run wires for my amp. Any recommendations on other things I should do while it's out? I ordered replacement LEDs for all of the lights in the HVAC area while that's open. I know people talk about the headlight saver setup that Special T sells, which I'm on the fence about because my switch and plug are not melted at all and look pristine. Any other recommendations on things I should do while it's out? Thanks!

[Jonathan]

A couple "while you're in there" ideas for the centre console (including the coin tray all the way forward to the HVAC controls and vents... assuming the whole thing will be taken out for your project.)

- Clean and tidy things. If you're in there, take this opportunity to vacuum, wipe, dust, clean, whatever. Remove extra nuts and bolts, pennies, crumbs, bugs. Anything that shouldn't be in there. Inspect wiring and repair or rewrap insulation that is worn. When reassembling, ensure everything is orderly and not rubbing on a sharp metal bracket.

- As was mentioned in another thread recently, you could replace your cigar lighter light bulb if you need to. Or the whole unit if it needs it.

- Same goes for the auto trans PRND21 light bulb if you have an auto. If you have a manual trans, the wires will be there and cut off, have a look and make sure they look content to stay where they are.

- Again with the auto trans if you have one, you can use this chance to find out if your gear selection button is working and if it isn't, what you need to tighten to make it so. Some VINs have a collar with a small screw that tightens against the stem. It can get loose and spin, thus negating the safety feature of the button. Or the top and bottom pieces of plastic in the handle can be separated and that will make it spin if you push on it without using the button.

- Light bulbs in general, either LED swap out or just make sure yours all work.

- Prior to starting, take an inventory of anything in that area that isn't working and then look around at it when out to determine what is wrong. Many of the grounds for the HVAC panel and lighting and stereo terminate on the bolt on the lower right hand corner of the radio bracket. Rheostat and clock are easy access here if they aren't working as designed (good luck with the clock!)

- If you have any blower fan speeds not working or modes not doing anything, now is the time to look at lubing up or rebuilding your mode switch.

- If you still have factory glass fuses up in there from the original stereo, which sounds like you are putting in a new deck, these old ones don't need to be there, mostly because they end up being redundant.

- This can be as good a time as any to troubleshoot any glovebox problems you have with either the switch or light bulb. If you're already in there looking over all the wiring, it will be easier to see what doesn't belong or isn't done properly. Same goes for the door plunger wiring.

- If your console windows switches area sags, now would be a good time to prop it up with a piece of wood, that I think Shep and Dave S. discussed at one point.

- You'll also get a better view of your drivers seat belt receptacle wire with the console and perhaps seats removed. If it isn't working, now is a good time to follow it back and find out why.

Have fun!

[Rich W]

A couple "while you're in there" ideas for the centre console (including the coin tray all the way forward to the HVAC controls and vents... assuming the whole thing will be taken out for your project.)

- Clean and tidy things. If you're in there, take this opportunity to vacuum, wipe, dust, clean, whatever. Remove extra nuts and bolts, pennies, crumbs, bugs. Anything that shouldn't be in there. Inspect wiring and repair or rewrap insulation that is worn. When reassembling, ensure everything is orderly and not rubbing on a sharp metal bracket.

<snip>

Have fun!

As Jonathan mentioned, clean and tidy up everything as you go along. In addition to Jonathan's list:

Take photos as you disassemble the center console area, for later reference, especially if you plan to take your time (a few weekends?).

The VIN List indicates your DeLorean is a 5-speed, and since it is a late 83 model, it should have the rubber boot under the shift boot,
covering the cut-out area in the frame. You will want to clean out that area well, above and below, and in the frame, as necessary.
(this is an area often used for rodent nesting and it is not uncommon to find very old nests, from long ago and/or previous owners)

Good Luck with your updates.

[Notifier]

If you don't already have these installed, pick up two of the on/off blank switches and install them in place of the dummy switches. Wire them up and run the wire into the relay compartment for "future use". This way if you ever need to switch something, they are already installed.

[aipri]

Great suggestions guys thanks. I am very fortunate in that all switches, lights, and controls already work fine, so don't need to mess with them. I have an automatic btw. The main thing I noticed is the foam that was under the arm rest area is basically disintegrating, but other than that it is pristine under there, not unwanted guests or surprises. The new deck I am installing has an iPod/Iphone cable with it, where have you guys run that to? It seems the ashtray or the compartment at the back of the armrest would be good options.

[Jonathan]

The new deck I am installing has an iPod/Iphone cable with it, where have you guys run that to? It seems the ashtray or the compartment at the back of the armrest would be good options.

Glad to hear it looks good under there Anthony.

I put a new deck in my car last winter and it also came with an iPod cable. I have one of those "classic" iPods with the huge memory that I wasn't using elsewhere, and since it fits every song I own, I loaded it up and keep it in the glovebox. The cable routes really nicely from the back of the deck along a short distance and up through the opening for the glovebox lid latch. Super easy to see where it needs to go while things are out. It powers the iPod when the car is on so it doesn't run out of battery. It also shuts off the power to it when the ignition is off so no worrying about draining the car battery either. I take it out every so often to update some playlists, but otherwise it stays in there. The stereo controls to access the playlists and songs aren't quite intuitive yet, but I'll learn eventually :)

[Rich]

3 more potential improvements or checkups while the center console is off.

Rheostat and grounds were mentioned. More details on those plus another item here:

1. Remove/check/clean the wire ground points you find on top of the frame under the console and faceplate. I think there's more than one. Check the List of Grounds in the Resources section or just look. This is on the "can't hurt" list.
2. A potential mod/upgrade costing almost nothing: If you never dim your binnacle/instrument lights anyway and if you want them to potentially be a tad brighter then consider bypassing the rheostat (knob on console in front of gearshift) while that plate is out. The rheostat/dimmer won't be functional when bypassed, lights may brighten a bit. Easy to do a temp. bypass and check the effect, then also easy to bypass for real. Can be reversed later if you want to go back to stock. 5 minute job once you know which connections to make and you have access. Search the forum for threads about it.
3. An adjustment you may or may not need: Before taking the console out see if your window switch plate is bent. Depending on what's been leaning on that section of the console that aluminum sheet can deform downward a bit, keeping the window/rear defrost/dummy switches from seating properly because the upper part of the plate is too low and the switches bottom out before they engage in their slots. While you have that plate out you can easily bend it so the switches are all up where they need to be and sit squarely in their respective slots. We're talking about just 2-3mm extra height to get the switches to seat in case they aren't already where they belong.

[aipri]

So everything is apart as you can see in this pic. Fun stuff. Any tips from guys who have run wires to the back for an amp on best placement for the RCAs and Speaker wire going through the center console? I think I may run the iPod cable through the center console as well and have it come up where the ashtray was, since I will be using it with an iPhone I will need access to it, so while the glovebox would be easier, it might not be practical.

24053

[Tillsy]

So everything is apart as you can see in this pic.
24053

What's that control box for that's sitting in 3/4 down your console space?

[Jonathan]

Any tips from guys who have run wires to the back or/for best placement for the Speaker wire going through the center console?

Duct tape it to the sides of the centre console and the wooden board spanning the car in front of the battery compartment and cubby hole. I'm not kidding. Factory original. Speaker wire can run down the sides of the centre console say a couple inches below the top edge of the fiberglass. The top edge of your carpet pieces will cover this. Drivers side wire/passenger side wire on respective sides. Then route it across the little width of wood above the opening for the battery compartment and likewise for the cubby hole. Then have it trail off in to where the rear speakers are behind the panels (which you have removed to do this).

If you're looking to keep it Concours original, be sure to use 32 year old, cheap, black duct tape. Preferably the kind which begins to disintegrate shortly after using it. And route the wiring as sloppy as you can. You'll need to leave a seemingly ridiculous amount of excess wire just all coiled in one random spot then hidden by the trim panels. Extra bonus points for super sloppy, after-thought, "what were they thinking?" looking installation of the wiring. I believe it is a +0.5 points in the Concours scoring.

[aipri]

What's that control box for that's sitting in 3/4 down your console space?

Its the brain for the aftermarket cruise control that the PO had installed.

[David T]

Its the brain for the aftermarket cruise control that the PO had installed.

Just took my console out so I could send the radio out for repairs. Just tidy things up and clean everything and remove any junk you find that got inside. Another thing you could do, at the front along the bottom the console never fit well against the tunnel so I got two strips of steel about 2" by 10" and stuck them in like stays to stiffen the corners up. Be very careful when reinstalling the console that you do not pinch any wires or the vacuum hoses.

[DMC5180]

Its the brain for the aftermarket cruise control that the PO had installed.

I've never seen a Cruise unit like that before. Can you post some up close shots of the (Brain, Operating Control, Servo location and throttle cable connection). Is it an electronic or vacuum servo.