What is falling out of my dashboard?

[Lorelei072]

I have wires and boxes falling out from behind my dashboard. I have no idea what they are for. Does anyone recognize these?

FYI The box with the raised plastic lettering says “Black Eagle” on the other side and the rig is a 1994 Ford E150/Mark III conversion. Thank you

 

[Gr8ful]

I think it's part of an alarm system if your van is bumped, shook or moved.

 

[Happy Camper]

That's exactly what it is. Not sure why it's falling out from under the dash though. Were you doing work under there?

Black eagle alarm system.

Get it checked out, because if you unplug the wrong wire it can immobilize your vehicle and prevent it from running. You need a professional to uninstall or fix it back up.

 

[Lorelei072]

Thanks for the info. I’ll get it checked out. When I bought the van almost 2 years ago, the wiring wasn’t 100% secured. Over time, it kept sliding out and I kept shoving it back up into the dash. I had some work done at one point and the wiring refused to remain behind the dash after that.

 

[maki2]

There are auto repair shops that specialize in electrical. Mostly though you find such specialist shops in larger cities.

Looks like someone cut into the wire ties and clamps on one or more wire bundles and were too lazy to secure them back in place properly. No doubt a larger sized person who had a lot of difficulty fitting between the seat and the dash. This is also really not that unusual to find from a DIY person who has a combination of bad back and a lack of patience put over the top of normal patience by the pain. It is a very awkward place to do work in.

 

[Lorelei072]

Welp, I contacted 3 different places and explained the problem to them. No one would even look at it much less accept the job

Now what do I do??

 

[Happy Camper]

No one wants to be responsible for an old alarm system they didn't install acting up. If you told them you wanted to replace the alarm with something they offer they would be happy to help.

That being said, you can use a wide Velcro strap to softly bundle up the wires. Then find somewhere underneath that you can loop another piece to hold the bundle in place. As long as everything is working. It just needs to be safely moved back under the dash.

 

[bullfrog !]

Welp, I contacted 3 different places and explained the problem to them. No one would even look at it much less accept the job

Now what do I do??

Time to educate yourself. Check what resources and information from he manufacturer are available then check with a security systems installer, they put them in maybe they will take yours out.

 

[maki2]

Welp, I contacted 3 different places and explained the problem to them. No one would even look at it much less accept the job

Now what do I do??

You do the job yoursel. Buy some wire ties and a small pair of “ flush wire cutting pliers” From a local hardware store. Get a work light of some type so you can see what you are doing. Or if the concept of cutting wires goes scares you buy some Velcro straps that are used for securing electrical cords.

If you are too frightened to work on live wires then disconnect your starter battery before you begin.

Be brave, you can do this, it is not a crazy difficult task. You can grow your self reliance for nomadic, solo travel with this small and relatively easy job. You likely did not get turned down because it was difficult, you most likely got turned down because they have more profitable work lined up waiting to be done in their shop.