1983 Ford Centurion Van Conversion

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Sep 17, 2003 | 01:05 PM

Velda Renfrow

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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.

Sep 17, 2003 | 04:37 PM

Franklin2

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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?

Sep 18, 2003 | 03:42 PM

Velda Renfrow

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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.

Sep 19, 2003 | 12:02 AM

Mil1ion

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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.

Sep 22, 2003 | 09:58 AM

Velda Renfrow

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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.

Sep 22, 2003 | 11:12 AM

Mil1ion

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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,

Sep 22, 2003 | 11:34 AM

Velda Renfrow

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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?