Car Cubby Hole: Motorised Lid

[jackstrong]

Hi All

I need some help deciding the best solution to a problem with my cubby hole in my car.

I purchased a 2nd hand car pc that was mounted to a pre existing cubby hole (glue/sealent), so essentially it fits right in place of my old one. However the opening mechanism for it is different.

My car has a flip lid where as japanese models have a retract lid. This particular one had a motorised retractable lid with a switch on the front. The switch is wired up to a circuit board with a socket mounted on it also, aswell as the connection to the motor. I dont have the plug on my wiring loom so have no way of wiring it up.

Therefore can anyone suggest what to do ?

Im just starting off in electronics, never really done anything hard. I did this a while back, which was good soldering experience I guess:

Thanks for your help

Jack

 

[(*steve*)]

Perhaps if you can explain what a car cubby hole is...?

 

[jackstrong]

Best thing I think is to show one operating.

The circuit board has a micro switch underneath that is triggered by the lid.

 

[shrtrnd]

What'll they think of next?
I've got two questions:
1) Are you sure you have room in your car for that retractable lid to clear everything when
it opens?
2) Did you get a power connector with the new gadget (somewhere in the box it came in)?
My thought is that you have the power connections in your 'loom', that went to the old
computer. It's not absolutely necessary that you use those exact wires, but they're there.
My experience with car radio is, that manufacturers make adapter cable harnesses
for different radio makes (manufacturers).
This seems like a pretty nice instrument. The first thing I'd do, is contact the manufacturer
of your new model. Tell them your car mfgr, the old computer you had in there, and ask
for an adapter, or a wiring diagram for the cable harness to plug your new computer into
your old cable harness (loom).
It doesn't seem like it'd be too difficult to hard wire this unit yourself. But it's always
nice to ask first, about solutions the manufacturers have already come-up with to
solve issues like this. You won't be the first customer to have run into this issue.

 

[jackstrong]

Yeh I have fitted it without the motor and it works fine, plenty of room.

The lid motorised version was a standard for the japanese model. Then in 2004-5 a facelift changed it completely. The wiring looms are different for uk models and mine does not have the plug, ive looked. Having worked in the automotive industry I can say they will not help, its an old part.

The motor runs at 12v so should I try passing 12v through the pins at random to find out if all it takes to run is a single source. Maybe the rest of the connections are for earth and ecu.

 

[shrtrnd]

Spent too long writing a response, and timed-out, so I couldn't post response.
Leaving for work now, will try again later.

 

[shrtrnd]

What's the possibility of finding mating plug/socket connector, and replacing the existing connector that you don't have the mate for?
I still think you should google this model, and see what other people have come-up
with, maybe you'll find a reference to a manufacturer/part number somebody recommends.
You already have the 12V power in your cable harness (loom), it'd be easier to use
that power source, but you can draw the 12V from any other power cable/accessory
nearby.
Of all the connections you've got to your unit, finding the best way to input 12 volts to
run the retractor motor should be the easiest.
I'd do a Google search to see what others have done with your model, and if you don't
find anything helpful, and the manufacturer of your unit can't/won't help, I'd be looking
at do-it-yourself replacement of the connector for the motor, with a matching set of
some other type, to input your 12V
Excuse the delay, long work day, then Superbowl for the colonies (and recovery after
the party).