1983 Ford Centurion Van Conversion

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 09-17-2003, 01:05 PM
Velda Renfrow's Avatar
Velda Renfrow
Velda Renfrow is offline
New User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Question 1983 Ford Centurion Van Conversion

We have a 1983 Ford Centurion which needs all new wiring. We contacted Centurion in Michigan for a wiring diagram; no luck - all records prior to 1995 destroyed in a fire. Does anyone know where we might find a wiring diagram for this? We contacted Painless Wiring who sent us on this search.

Thanks for any help you can give us.
 
  #2  
Old 09-17-2003, 04:37 PM
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Franklin2 is online now
Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Virginia
Posts: 53,620
Likes: 0
Received 1,675 Likes on 1,354 Posts
1983 Ford Centurion Van Conversion

Sounds like it will have to be custom made. That equals lots of labor which equals lots of money. Whats wrong with it, and can it be repaired?
 
  #3  
Old 09-18-2003, 03:42 PM
Velda Renfrow's Avatar
Velda Renfrow
Velda Renfrow is offline
New User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
1983 Ford Centurion Van Conversion

The wiring, being 20 years old, has broken, come apart, etc. It's apparent it will be a time consuming job to search out each wire, where it comes from and where it goes, but if we can get that done, we still will have a very nice looking vehicle that pulls a 5th wheel or travel trailer effortlessly. We were just hoping someone would know where to purchase a wiring diagram for that in order to cut some of those expenses in tracing each wire.

Thanks for your reply.
 
  #4  
Old 09-19-2003, 12:02 AM
Mil1ion's Avatar
Mil1ion
Mil1ion is offline
New User
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 11 Posts
1983 Ford Centurion Van Conversion

Basically Ford's wiring is somewhat generic which means the colour coding of the wire is basically the same from vehicle to vehicle.

What part of this Truck are you most concerned with?

Interior Lights,underdash,under truck,rear lights, front lights?

Please list them.
 
  #5  
Old 09-22-2003, 09:58 AM
Velda Renfrow's Avatar
Velda Renfrow
Velda Renfrow is offline
New User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
1983 Ford Centurion Van Conversion

The lights work, etc. But in trying to start the vehicle (after setting for almost a year without trying to start it) there was smoke coming from around the wiring into the solenoid and the battery cable got very, very hot. The vehicle would not start (there is a new battery in it.) The wiring consists of several different colors, as you stated, but there seems to be many, many wires going every which way, some broken and needing replaced. We were trying to prevent the costs of taking each wire individually and tracing it from end to end to replace it. A wiring diagram would cut some of this time.
 
  #6  
Old 09-22-2003, 11:12 AM
Mil1ion's Avatar
Mil1ion
Mil1ion is offline
New User
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 11 Posts
1983 Ford Centurion Van Conversion

This smoke from the solenoid >

was this happening when the starter was cranking ?

The battery cable side of the solenoid would more than likely Host most of the power wiring.
There may be power blocks used for accessories.

I bring a user who also owns a Centurian to this forum,
 
  #7  
Old 09-22-2003, 11:34 AM
Velda Renfrow's Avatar
Velda Renfrow
Velda Renfrow is offline
New User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
1983 Ford Centurion Van Conversion

To answer your question: The smoke from the solenoid (and there wasn't a lot of it, but there definitely was some smoke) did occur while trying to start the vehicle. The starter was cranking at that point (but never did get vehicle started and actually stopped trying when we saw the smoke.) Are you saying there could be some blocks on it, or we should put some blocks on it - for accessories?
 
  #8  
Old 09-22-2003, 12:11 PM
Mil1ion's Avatar
Mil1ion
Mil1ion is offline
New User
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 11 Posts
1983 Ford Centurion Van Conversion

No,

The smoking was there because there was resistance in the starter & ground when cranking.

Try Cleaning all the connections on the starter & both battery cables & ground spots.

Make sure they are all clean & the battery cables are tight, then try again.
 
  #9  
Old 09-22-2003, 06:17 PM
Velda Renfrow's Avatar
Velda Renfrow
Velda Renfrow is offline
New User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
1983 Ford Centurion Van Conversion

Thanks! We'll try it!
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
86centurion
Fifth Wheel & Gooseneck RV Towing
26
09-22-2016 10:06 PM
95centurion
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
04-08-2016 03:39 PM
mustange70
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
10-06-2015 03:28 PM
insufishentfunds
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco
3
05-11-2015 08:37 PM
HENDEL
Electrical Systems/Wiring
5
02-27-2002 02:13 PM



Quick Reply: 1983 Ford Centurion Van Conversion



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:02 PM.