installing the system sentry

June 18, 2007, 04:35:07 PM

ok guys i have a digital dash and have that huge ashtray on the bottom of were the radio sits. I want to put the system sentry there instead and would liek to know how to get the warning lights that are on the digital dash to be connected to the system sentry. Is it wires that can be brought down towards the console? thanks in advance

installing the system sentry

Reply #1 – June 18, 2007, 04:51:54 PM

Hmm. IIRC some things on the system sentry are easy and some are hard. For instance, the basic dash has the lights for those things directly on it and I wired up the door ajar and low washer fluid ones.

The door ajar upgrade:

1. Install a door ajar sensor in each door. I don't know if every car is wired for them, but mine was (I have power locks and power windows for reference).
2. Run a wire from each door ajar sensor to the warning chime. I don't remember how far the factory wires from the sensors went, but it wasn't hard to do.
3. Run a wire from the warning chime to the destination light. On the basic dash it's on one of the two plugs that goes to the dash. In your case, it would go to the correct pin on the system sentry panel (and don't forget you'll need the correct dash trim piece for the panel).

The low washer fluid upgrade:

1. If you don't have the correct washer fluid bottle with the fluid sensor (and I didn't), you'll have to remove the driver's side fender to replace the bottle with the correct one. While the fender is off, run one wire (yes, just one) to the destination light. Once again, on the basic dash it runs to the dash connector, and in your case it goes to the correct pin on the system sentry panel. There might also be a second wire you have to connect to ground from the washer bottle (likely, but I don't remember for sure).
2. Replace your fender, BEING VERY CAREFUL not to put it too close to the door. If it is, when you open the door the paint will catch on the fender paint and will separate it from the fender. Make sure to leave enough of a gap.

The rest of the lights, IIRC, are hard to support, though since you already have the full digital dash the low fuel warning might not be hard (the reason isn't the instrument cluster per se, but the fuel sender it requires). You should consult the EVTM for reference.

system sentry install

Reply #2 – November 20, 2007, 09:31:04 PM

need info on installing and new wireing for system sentry-for 86 xr-7 -installing this option in the present.