Message Center for 2003

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Jun 22, 2003 | 07:20 PM

PaulMD

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Message Center for 2003

My 2003 Explorer has temperature, direction, and trip miles, and odometer in the small display area on the lower right of the instrument cluster. Is the 2003 pre-wired to accept the full blown Message Center, and if so, does Ford sell it? Thanks.

Jun 23, 2003 | 07:56 PM

chamill

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Message Center for 2003

what is the "full blown message center"? I've got the 2003 Eddie Bauer and it has the message center that also tells me fluid levels, miles to empty, all those things. Maybe this will help.

Jun 23, 2003 | 08:29 PM

PaulMD

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Message Center for 2003

Right - you have the "full blown" Message Center. Mine is just the odometer, compass, outside temp, and trip meter. I am curious to know if the 2003 Explorers are pre-wired for it.

Jun 23, 2003 | 08:43 PM

1956MarkII

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Message Center for 2003

This would be a hell of a job. Yours must be an XLS or XLT; the system you're talking about comes with the Eddie Bauer or Limited. The 4WD controls would have to be relocated to the blank panels on the right side of the radio, then you would have to get the switches for the message center and install them where the 4WD buttons used to be. Even then, I don't know if it would work, because the EB/ Limited have autolock on/ off, headlight delay timer and auto-back seat functions built in, none of which your Explorer would have.

Jun 24, 2003 | 01:01 PM

PaulMD

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Message Center for 2003

Ford Service told me today that the computer chip is different in Explorers with the Message Center. Apparently the chip in those store the data, so they cannot be retrofitted.