Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Aesthetics Trying to recontent clock - Please Help

I am in the process of trying to recontent the clock in my 99svt. I followed the 'alternate method' lined out in the FAQ. However, it is not working right. The clock is 'on' (barely readable), but is not 'lit'. The anti-theft light is not working, I cannot change the time on the clock, and when the clock is plugged in - I have no sound from my factory cd player. Basically, I was a TOTAL pain, and it doesn't even work... I feel like I must be really missing something here.

A few questions:

If I were to use the 'original' method in the FAQ vs. the 'alternate' method, what would plug into the pins on the back of the clock? Would I still need a serial cable adaptor from a PC (as outlined in the alternate version)? Or is there something else I can buy to plug into there? Also, the original method says to unplug the wires from the tape player. Obviously I can't unplug my cd player wires as they are being used. Do you just tap into the cd player wires with wire taps?

Maybe I am reading too much into this, but the 1st version didn't make much sense to me, and the second version seeming like alot of hassle, and didn't work..

I am lost, and any help/advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

I recontented the clock in my '00 SE last weekend. The wiring diagram in the FAQ concerning radio wire colors differed from what my car has. The blue/black wire on my car is for instrument panel lighting/dimming. The white/green wire is nonexistant on my harness, I have a yellow/green wire that handles 12V on accessory. I suggest that you use a test light on each wire on the radio harness to determine the uses for each, i.e. 12V accessory, panel light/dimmer, etc.

From what I can tell, 12V constant causes the clock to show time, but its dim and no time setting can take place. Twelve Volt accessory allows the clock to brighten up and also allows time setting via the "H" and "M" buttons. Of course, the panel light/dimmer wire allows the clock to be dimmed along with the instrument panel lights when desired.

I think the "original" method in the FAQ assumes you have the factory wiring pigtail from a donor car. I modified the factory PATS light plug(its capable of holding six wires) by switching the location of the two PATS wires so they correspond with the correct location on the back of the clock. I then found a couple of computer cables in the junk box at work, removed the wires from its plug, and inserted them into the factory PATS light plug(using the FAQ diagram as a guide). I then routed the wires to my CD player and TAPPED into them using common wiring taps(leave the CD player plugged).

As for your problem with the PATS light not working, you may just have the wires inserted on the wrong posts on the back of the clock.

I hope this helps, nel5150.

Martin

Crap, seems like alot of work.. I had it done on my 98 E1 and it followed the diagram exactly - Though I had a car stereo installer buddy do it for me since I'm not electrically inclined We had a problem at first, but it turned out to just be a bad ground.

Martin - Although your post here was 1yr & 1 day old, it helped me out tonight. I too have a '00 model SE, and was scratching my head when my new 98 clock would function normally, but I couldn't set the darn time! I actually, returned the clock for a replacement. When the new one did the same thing, I doub;le checked the wiring, and found that mine too dies not have a white-green wire as described in the How-To's, and the blue-black wire is NOT for +12v accessory, it's for illumination. Once I re-connetced as you described, no problems 2000 Contours beware of the How-To, and test your wires

Glad everything worked out okay, Stefan. My clock has been installed for a year now, and still works perfectly.
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Martin
2000 SE V6 ATX
Mods: 16" Focus rims, SVT grille, Debadgerized, Knauberized, Fog light mod, Clear corners, A6 side markers, Pre-98 sail panels, K&N air filter, Flowmaster, Clock recontent, Mystique dome light, etc.

I just installed a clock out of a Mondeo tonight in my 99. The Original how-to worked great for me. I knew which wires were what though so I guess I had an advantage. Quick and easy

Ok, so it seems the 2000's are a little different. I used this info to update the FAQ. Thanks Martin!

-Lance