some electrical questions

Am I the only person that thinks Ford put the HVAC controls in the worst place possible? I always have to fumble around, knocking into the shifter when I want to adjust something...plus what doesn't help is that most of the lights are burnt out on it, so I can only hope I hit the right button at night. Has anyone ever moved the ECC up to the top location where the equalizer is? My EQ isn't even connected (aftermarket CD player) so it's pretty much just useless weight, the logical place for the ECC controls to go would be up there where they are in clear reach. I don't know why Ford didn't think of that in the first place. The bulbs will need to be replaced as well, and I'd prefer to replace them with blue ones as that would fit with the whole "theme" of the car better. Anyone know if its the bulbs that are blue or some kind of overlay behind the lettering on the front panel? I'd like to do the same for the rest of the dash as well.

Oh, while I'm on the subject, is there any way to tell if my car came with the factory alarm? Theres a little red LED stuck in the center console just ahead of the shifter that doesn't light up, ever. It looks like the usual ones they use in alarm installations, however my car has no alarm.....don't know why someone would remove that though.

The factory alarm had a light that went in the area that has the Power window switches, power mirror switches and power seat switches. It went right in the middle. VERY few cars had the factory alarm installed.
As for moving the Electronic Heat and A/C controls up to the top location, I think the box is to big and that the back of it will hit the heat ductwork before you can get it in far enough. I know people have been succesful in moving the Non-Electronic heat controls (The sliders) up to the top location. That unit does not require the same depth.

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1985 T-bird TC, 5Spd, Black (The Project)
1985 T-bird TC, 5Spd, Black (The Project II)
1986 T-bird TC, 5Spd, Black (The Show Car)
1986 T-bird TC, 5Spd, Silver (The Daily Driver)
1986 T-bird 3.8L, Auto, Canyon Red (FOR SALE!)

My '85 has the factory alarm & there's a yellow "ALARM" light on the lower right side of the instrument cluster. I think that's where the brake light is also.

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Dave
'83TC
'85TC
'87TC
'90SC

There isnt enough room in back of the EQ... a bunch of the duct work runs right in back of there. Also, I bet the harness wouldnt be long enough to reach = lots of cutting and splicing. You have no idea how many wires run to the EATC head!

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Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 20 psi, forced air intercooler, water injection, bypass valve, Ranger roller cam, subframes, etc., etc.. // 86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP nitrous, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.... // 91 Escort: Bone stock winter car // 00 Windstar (wifes vehicle)