1989 Tripminder Warning

[89mercury]

I’m not sure if this has been covered here, but I felt I should post this. I have a 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis and after reading the posts here I thought I would add one. I went to the junkyard found a tripminder and harness from a 1988 or older car. I start the install process only to find that Ford changed the wiring harness for 1989. The 1989 tripminder harness if different, and the connectors are in different places than the 1988 or older cars. I have my tripminder installed now, but I had to customize the harness I had and buy a connector from Ford. The 1989 tripminder harness has 3 connectors on it, one for the tripminder, one for the digital clock connector, and the one I had so much trouble finding under the light sensor on the dash.

[85crownHPP]

where was the 3rd connector?
the one that goes to the clock is the same as the old ones, and there is also one under the dash behind the speedo. The wires for the speed and fuel are usually above the E-brake, where was yours now???

[89mercury]

The 3erd connector

The 3erd connector, which is a four-wire connector, was taped directly under the "Light Sensor Amplifier Assy.", I had to remove it to finally see the connector. The Factory Shop Manual for 1989 does not show the location, but my 1989 Electrical & Vacuum Trouble-Shooting Manual shows the correct location. I wish I had remembered about it before I looked and looked for a phantom connector by the E brake.

1989 Tripminder Harness Detail:

1st – This one goes to the Tripminder Module in the dash
Standard Tripminder connector 10 terminals, but only 6 or 7 terminals used
1. not used
2. not used
3. Ignition Power W/P
4. Dimmer LB/R
5. Power LG/Y
6. Fuel Flow Input LB/PK
7. Ground BK
8. Speed Input DG/W
9. Ground BK
10. not used

2nd – C373 This one used to go to my digital clock
When you pull the clock you have found this one. 4 terminals, but only 3 used
· Ignition Power W/P
· Power LG/R
· Ground BK

3erd – C383 This is the one under the Light Sensor Amplifier Assy. Under the dash pad
1989 was changed from previous years, FORD combined the 2 old connectors into one with 4 terminals and all 4 used.
· Dimmer LB/R
· Fuel Flow Input LB/PK
· Speed Input DG/W
· Ground BK

NOTES:
C383 Connector Motorcraft part number WPT-376.
Tripminder & old style Harness came from the Junk Yard.
I made the harness about 1.5 to 2 feet long total, so it’s shorter than the old style.

[85crownHPP]

interesting... thats good to know for anyone else that wants to put one in a 88-89... you got the headache out of the way for them!
thanks for documenting this

[89mercury]

1989 only uses the updated harness, 84-88 uses the old style harness. Not sure of the first year, but I am sure about 88 because that was the year I pulled my old style harness out of.

[gabegt90]

bump

[gabegt90]

I got the harness figured out. Pete my harness will have to be modified like 89mercury says because my tripminder and harness came from that 88 country squire you and I were working on at ez pull. I was lucky enough for my dealer Sheehy ford of Gaithersburg to ship one of the wpt-376 (3u2z-14s411-eda) connectors from Richmond yesterday. I'll work on it this weekend I will take pics. I think the 89 harness is eaiser because you don't have to mess around behind the cluster to get to the dimmer connector and risk braking the shift indicator cable. anyone want that Wpt-376 connector I can still get two more shipped to my dealer. Mike I know you need one get them while you still can. my tech article coming soon on my installation.

[86VickyLX]

bump

Dun dun dun... have you started your conversion mang?

[gabegt90]

I'll do it this weekend john I can't wait it should be an easy install for me at least. I bought the connector I needed today. I'll let you know how it goes. your's should be easy too

[86VickyLX]

I'll do it this weekend john I can't wait it should be an easy install for me at least. I bought the connector I needed today. I'll let you know how it goes. your's should be easy too

so then you still have the other harness? I want it

[turbo2256b]

Had to do this to put a 89 trip minder in my 87. I had posted this previously bet you didnt look. If I remember correctly the color cods on the wires were a bit different but were in the same positions in the conector. Might have beeen in a thread about interior up grade or something like that or dash.

[gabegt90]

Yeah your right. Everything matches same colors on my 88 harness to the 89 harness according to my 89 shop manual I did wish I have the evtm Manual though

[gabegt90]

so then you still have the other harness? I want it

I'm still gonna use it mang I just got to modify it put a different connector on it.

[gabegt90]

I got it working fucking easy

[86VickyLX]

and what do you get?