The timer will attach to the spring loaded lid so that it pops up and out when the ashtray is opened {fig 1},
{fig1}Overview : This procedure will help you install the turbo timer
inside the ashtray. It will not describe the actual hookup of
your particular turbo timer or electrical connections. That's
what your instructions are for. :-)
The timer will attach to the spring loaded lid so that it pops
up and out when the ashtray is opened {fig 1},{fig1}
and magically disappear when the tray is closed. Connectors on the wires coming from the back of the timer will enable you to pull the tray out and easily disconnect the timer without removing the dash. Mine is the HKS Turbo Timer. Make sure yours will fit in the ashtray when completely closed before trying this.
Tools :
1a. Drill w/ large bit(I used 1/4")
1b. Keyhole saw w/ finetoothed blade(optional)
2. Connectors - # needed is same as the # of wires
coming from the back of the timer
- must be small enough to fit through drilled hole
(I used individual male&female crimp-ons)
3. Two-sided tape - included with HKS T-Timer(black is best)
4. Wirecutters
5. Crimpers
Procedure :
Cut the wires coming out of the back of the timer at about 2"-
2 1/2" from the timer(Check this dimension. Too far will
make it hard to reach in and disconnect it later when the dash
is put back together, and too near the timer will cause the connectors
to bunch up behind the ashtray so that it won't close all the
way). Crimp the connectors to each wire.
Remove the ashtray assembly from the dash. This includes the tray
itself and the piece that it slides into. Carefully drill a hole
in the back of the ashtray, just to the right(passenger side)
of center(the very center is obstructed by the piece that it slides
into. The connectors need to go just to the right of this). Use
your keyhole saw or just use the drill bit to widen the hole so
that all the connectors will fit through it. {fig 2}
{fig2}
Now shove the connectors through the hole while placing the timer
in the ashtray. Figure out where the timer will sit in the tray
by closing the lid and moving it around. Notice that you can not
tape it all the way to the rightside of the lid. It won't close
properly because of a protrusion inside the tray(the lid stopper
thing). When you decide on the best placement, use the doublesided
tape to stick it to the lid. Now its ready to go.
In the car, fish the wires from the ignition through to the back
of the ashtray hole. I found that the best place to run them is
behind the hole to the rightside where there is a larger opening.
This will allow you to reach in and grab some slack when disconnecting
and reconnecting in the future. Now replace the piece that the
tray slides into. Pull the wires out enough where you can make
the connections to the timer. With the tray as close to the hole
as possible and the timer all connected, reach behind it and feed
the wires back into the hole as far as you can. Slide the ashtray
in and see if it closes all the way. You may have to play around
with the wires a little bit.
Problems :
-As stated above, if the wires aren't cut at the right length,
or the connectors are too large, it will be difficult to get the
ashtray to close all the way.
-When cold, the spring on the lid looses some of it's "springyness"
and needs a little help raising the timer. Dave Wong suggested
the following solution. At a hobbyshop, get a spring for a radio
controlled car shock. {to the left of the ashtray assy in fig
3} I had to cut mine ~ 1/2" so that it would fit underneath
when it was closed. Use two pieces of doublesided tape, one at
the top and one at the bottom of the spring and slip it under
the t-timer. {fig 3}
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to write me at Pete00@Prodigy.com Good Luck!