Installing an Overhead TV Monitor
From "Car Care & Repair"
episode CCR-108 -- More Projects »
If you've got an SUV or minivan that you use for long trips, an overhead TV monitor will win you lots of good will from your backseat passengers -- particularly members of the younger set. These monitors can be connected so that they receive over-the-air TV transmissions using an inconspicuous window-mount antenna, or they can be hooked up to a VCR, DVD or game console mounted on the floorboard. Important: There are various styles of TV monitor to choose from, but you'll need to select one that can be mounted in your vehicle where it can't be seen by the driver. (It is unsafe for the driver to be able to view the monitor, and in many states it is also illegal.) Mount it where it also won't impede the operation of seatbelts or block sight-lines of the driver using the rearview mirror. In our demonstration, we install a fold-down monitor on a 2000-model Ford Explorer. The project involves installation of a wiring harness and electrical connections. This is a fairly complex installation that should only be done by do-it-yourselfers who have knowledge and experience with electrical wiring and installation. If you do decide to undertake this project yourself, follow the manufacturer's instructions and wiring diagrams, and consult your vehicle's service manual for complete information on the factory wiring. Keep in mind that there may be variation among installations depending on the vehicle and the monitor that you select. Following are the basic steps for the installation as shown in our demonstration. Since this project involves wiring and installation of electrical connections, disconnect the vehicle's negative battery cable before you begin. Materials: TV-monitor kit, including mounting hardware and wiring
Vehicle service manual
Wire stripper and crimping tool
Utility knife
Pry tool
Screwdriver
Measuring tape - Remove the factory dome light by first removing the mounting screws (figure A). You may want to retain the dome light and select an alternate mounting location. In our demonstration, however, this was not necessary since the center-mounting console comes with lights to replace the factory dome light.
- Once you've selected the placement for installing the console, hold the console housing in position to measure for an exact fit (figure B). Measure and be certain that the unit is centered left and right. Mark the location on the headliner surface with a pencil or masking tape. Since you'll be cutting out a section of the headliner, make certain that you won't be cutting into any wires underneath.
- After you've marked your pattern, cut the headliner with a utility knife (figure C). More than one pass along the marked line may be necessary.
- Once the headliner has been cut, remove the bracket that held the old dome light (figure D).
- With the cut-out section of the headliner removed (figure E), install the console mounting-bracket (figure F). In our case, the bracket can be secure with screws to two factory-drilled holes.
- Install and route the cables and wiring underneath the headliner (figure G). The wiring will include an FM stereo modulator, a power harness, antenna wire and accessory harness. The RCA cables (figure H) that will connect into the rear of the monitor will feed audio signal from the television to an FM modulator, which will in turn feed it to the vehicle's audio system via an FM signal. With the vehicle's radio on and tuned to a frequency of 89.1 or 88.7, the audio portion of the program being displayed on the monitor will be heard through the vehicle's sound system. The new dome lights (in the monitor housing) will utilize connectors (figure I) to hook up to the existing wiring that was used with the old dome light. Wire all of these connections, as well as the power and ground wires, according to the manufacturer's instructions and wiring diagrams.
- The FM modulator (figure J) mounts underneath the dash and has a dash-mountable switch. If the driver wishes to listen to the radio while the backseat passengers are watching TV, the FM modulator may be turned off, leaving the FM radio to operate normally. The backseat passengers may then listen to the television programming via wireless headphones (figure K).
- The antenna that receives over-the-air TV signals hooks to the monitor with a coax cable. The cable runs underneath the headliner to a rear side window where an inside component fastens (figure L). An outside component sticks onto the outside of the window. Be certain to clean both surfaces of the window before installing the components with their adhesive. The glass surfaces should be free of dirt, moisture or oil.
- With all of the wiring properly installed, raise the console into position and make all necessary connections to the rear of the monitor. Place and attach the console and monitor onto the mounting bracket according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Reconnect the vehicle battery and check all functions, including the operation of the dome lights (figure M) and the monitor itself (figure N).
Note: This installation involves a number of steps that were presented in summary form. This summary is not intended to replace the manufacturer's instructions that contain detailed directions for each step in installation and wiring of all elements.
RESOURCES :
Vehicles provided by McNelly-Whaley Ford Lincoln Mercury
750 Dolly Parton Parkway
Sevierville, TN 37862
Phone: 865-453-2833
Web site: www.ford4u.com
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