01 Continental: How can I make the digital clock show?

[djrjr]

Howdy! I've had an 01 Continental for almost 2 years now and have wondered if it is possible for the digital clock to be shown on the radio display. Yeah, I know I have the fancy analog clock on the dash, but I much prefer a digital clock. I have seen the digits there when the stereo is in direct sunlight and I just saw a couple Continentals on eBay with the digital clock showing. Anybody have any clues?

[pro-five-oh]

You saw a Conti with a clock in the stereo? I don't think that was factory, it must be a replacement head unit from another car.

You can fit a Town Car head unit with the clock, or maybe the dash trim and digital clock from a 1995-1997 model...or maybe its not worth messing with. ;)

[DustyLBottoms]

Howdy! I've had an 01 Continental for almost 2 years now and have wondered if it is possible for the digital clock to be shown on the radio display. Yeah, I know I have the fancy analog clock on the dash, but I much prefer a digital clock. I have seen the digits there when the stereo is in direct sunlight and I just saw a couple Continentals on eBay with the digital clock showing. Anybody have any clues?

Send me your analog then - I'll send you my digital from my '92

;)

[98TC-Cartier]

Well on the 98TC Cartier series the clock is disabled by pin 4 on connector C257 on the back of the head unit. Not having had the radio out I can't tell you if the pin is grounded or has 12 volts on it.

[pro-five-oh]

Well on the 98TC Cartier series the clock is disabled by pin 4 on connector C257 on the back of the head unit. Not having had the radio out I can't tell you if the pin is grounded or has 12 volts on it.

That's because the Cartiers had an external clock...the other TCs did not. All Contis have an external clock, so no buttons or clock display on it.

[AZLincolnMercury]

That's because the Cartiers had an external clock...the other TCs did not. All Contis have an external clock, so no buttons or clock display on it.

is there any way to trick it so you (I) can have both?

[djrjr]

is there any way to trick it so you (I) can have both?

Thats the same thing I'm wondering...

[98TC-Cartier]

Pull the radio and see what signal is on pin 4 of the conector, I'd guess it is grounded, but it may have 12 volts on it. Disconnect that pin and see what happens.

[98TC-Cartier]

From the comments in the service manual, I'd guess the non Cartier models do not have that pin connected to a wire in the harness.

[AZLincolnMercury]

I will pull the radio tomorow and post my findings;)

[AZLincolnMercury]

By cutting the black with a yellow stripe wire I was able to get both the analog and digital clock to work. :)

This may not help much with your Conti, but its worth a try. Autozone has the pulling tool for a few bucks...

5min $0 project
certainly the best kind

Good Luck,
Joe

EDIT:
From the Continentals pics on eBay it looks like we share the same radio so there is a good chance.
http://members.cox.net/jmgallagher/clock.jpg

[v8_dave]

Thats great AZ, add that to your growing list of customizations for the 98-02!

[cvpi71]

Hi Joe

so you just cut the black ground and yellow stripe wire from the back. do you connect them together or just capped the end seperately?
Thanx according to your picture the radio is ecactly like mine I am interested in doing this.
Can wait til this weekened.
By cutting the black with a yellow stripe wire I was able to get both the analog and digital clock to work. :)

This may not help much with your Conti, but its worth a try. Autozone has the pulling tool for a few bucks...

5min $0 project
certainly the best kind

Good Luck,
Joe

EDIT:
From the Continentals pics on eBay it looks like we share the same radio so there is a good chance.
http://members.cox.net/jmgallagher/clock.jpg

[v8_dave]

Excellent, now if that works for you, CVPI, then I will do it to mine, then grab an analog clock for my dash! Very nice...

[AZLincolnMercury]

Hi Joe

so you just cut the black ground and yellow stripe wire from the back. do you connect them together or just capped the end seperately?


Exactly, cut and cap.

From shop manual:

NOTE: (Cartier vehicles only) when connection to clock is made, 651 circuit shorts to ground through the 57 circuit. This will turn off the clock display on radio head.


Aka….black/yellow wire is grounded turning clock off.
cut ground wire and clock is back....

[pro-five-oh]

EDIT:
From the Continentals pics on eBay it looks like we share the same radio so there is a good chance.
http://members.cox.net/jmgallagher/clock.jpg

Once someone with a Conti verifys this, AZLM just made a nice Tech article for Contis. Care to type up your thoughts on microsoft word and have your work immortalized in the Town Car Tech section?

[AZLincolnMercury]

Care to type up your thoughts on microsoft word and have your work immortalized in the Town Car Tech section?
you got a PM....

next is the trunk pull down….Pepsi is working on sending me the pull down parts.:)

[cvpi71]

AZLincolnMercury You've got PM


also how do you set the clock on it ? I am just excited and want to do this on my Conti this week. Can't wait

[AZLincolnMercury]

also how do you set the clock on it ? I am just excited and want to do this on my Conti this week. Can't wait
You know you’re a car guy when something like that excites you… ;) Press “RDS” button until “CLOCK HOUR” or “CLOCK MINUTE” appears…press “SEL” up or down to set.

Here are the pics from the tech article I sent Pro

BTW...notice the gold clock? takes less than 5mins from 1st pic to last ;)

http://members.cox.net/jmgallagher/clock1.jpg

http://members.cox.net/jmgallagher/clock2.jpg

http://members.cox.net/jmgallagher/clock3.jpg

[AZLincolnMercury]

BTW…Be sure you disconnect the battery before attempting to cut any wires.

[djrjr]

Wow, thank you for posting this! If only it were that easy to slide out the stereo in the Continentals!

[pro-five-oh]

Wow, thank you for posting this! If only it were that easy to slide out the stereo in the Continentals!

The trim panel pops out easy with a thin screwdriver and a little patience. Then its just a few bolts and it pops out.

Once a Conti person confirms it works, the Tech article Joe just gave us will be in the Conti section too.

[cvpi71]

Good news
It works!!!!!!! I'll upload pictures later on for step by step on a Continental for dummies such as me. So you can included in the tech along with step by step pictures. 20 minutes. Awesome, Now I don't have to squint and try to figure out what time looking at the analog at an angle while driving. I can probably do it again in less than 10 minutes because I was very cautious not to damage anything.

[cvpi71]

clock

[pro-five-oh]

Awesome! If you can give me a step by step (PM or email) on how to remove the dash trim and stereo, I'll put it all up there.

[cvpi71]

Awesome! If you can give me a step by step (PM or email) on how to remove the dash trim and stereo, I'll put it all up there.


I'll send yah pictures later on today, what is your email address?

[djrjr]

I'll send yah pictures later on today, what is your email address?

Could I possibly get a copy of the pics, too? Thank you!!

Edit: Check your pm's, too

[pro-five-oh]

I'll send yah pictures later on today, what is your email address?

Check your PMs. Thanks.

[cvpi71]

Could I possibly get a copy of the pics, too? Thank you!!

Edit: Check your pm's, too


Check your email sorry it's not in order

[cvpi71]

Check your PMs. Thanks.
Please check your Email I sent all the info to you, sorry the pictures are not in order. If you have questions /concerns please let me know
Tom cvpi71

[cvpi71]

pictures of the process

[cvpi71]

pictures

[cvpi71]

here yah go

[cvpi71]

more pic

[cvpi71]

pictures

Now put everything back together


Tools!!!!!! 8mm wrench for the battery terminal, damp towel to clean the area under neath the dash trim , wire cutters, contact cleaner, electrical tape, disconnect the battery, 7mm ratchet socket for the bolts to the dash trim and to remove the radio, flat head screwdriver, patience. Make sure you don't drop the bolt to the right of the ignition dash trim in the metal bracket as shown in photos. good luck

[AZLincolnMercury]

glad to hear it worked out :)

[djrjr]

Thanks to all the help and advice on the board as I was able to get the clock to display on 01 Continental! The hardest part was just removing the dash panels, the rest was easy! Here are a couple pics of the clock in action and then a pic of my two cars together.

Who'd have thought I'd be this happy over a little digital clock? :cool:

[cvpi71]

Thanks to all the help and advice on the board as I was able to get the clock to display on 01 Continental! The hardest part was just removing the dash panels, the rest was easy! Here are a couple pics of the clock in action and then a pic of my two cars together.

Who'd have thought I'd be this happy over a little digital clock? :cool:

that's great news how long did it take you?

[djrjr]

that's great news how long did it take you?
Thanks! To be perfectly honest, it took me a full hour. I took my time getting the dash panels off, then I couldn't find my stupid electical tape. I cleaned alot of the dash while I had everything exposed, as well. It looks so much more normal to see a clock there now. Thanks to all for their help!!!

The only thing that bothered me was that car sagged in the back after the battery was disconnected after 30 minutes. Both myself and a friend were in the car at the time ... After reconnecting the battery, the air compressor kicked in and it raised up. Is that normal? We just had to have the ride level sensor (or whatever they're officially called) replaced just about a month ago. The car is doing fine now, am I just being paranoid?

[Howard]

What about the trim panel that surrounds the analog clock, etc.? Will it pop out with a screw driver too, or does it need more work than that?

[cvpi71]

What about the trim panel that surrounds the analog clock, etc.? Will it pop out with a screw driver too, or does it need more work than that?


the Tech link it up and running
click here ---> http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00174.html

[AZLincolnMercury]

the Tech link it up and running
click here ---> http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00174.html
Great job...
Takes a little more than 5mins on those Continentals huh :D

[pro-five-oh]

Here are a couple pics of the clock in action and then a pic of my two cars together.


Nice cars, look good together! If you haven't already found the forum for your Taurus here it is: http://www.taurusclub.com/forum/index.php

[Steven]

I LOVE THESE KIND OF THREADS !!

:dance: :dance: :dance: :wheee: :wheee: :wheee:

[v8_dave]

:grouphug: :drink: I hear ya Steven!

[djrjr]

Nice cars, look good together! If you haven't already found the forum for your Taurus here it is: http://www.taurusclub.com/forum/index.php

Thank you for the positive comments!! I'm actually an active member in TCCA. In fact, I won July 06 Car Of The Month (http://www.taurusclub.com/forum/index.php?s=&act=ST&f=8&t=34913). Thanks again for all the help! I definately look forward to being an active member here!

[AZLincolnMercury]

You might want to consider washing it every once in awhile? ;) :D BTW, I have a 2000 Sable LS Prem 24v DOHC too which has been a good (safe) vehicle all around.
http://home.comcast.net/~daveromanjr/COTM/NewFrontEnd.jpg