I am seeking suggestions and/or tech answers regarding the original flip-down audio-visual system in my 2001 T&C. So, any input is appreciated. My T&C has the dealer-added audio-visual system including VHS (center row console mounted) and a (small) flip-down screen mounted on the roof. I am interested in converting the system to play DVD's instead of VHS tapes.

One thing I really like about the aesthetics and functionality of my current system is that the whole system looks factory in appearance and works through the factory audio system (or with remote wireless dual headphones).

I am seeking advice here on my attempt to replace the VHS component with a DVD capability. If any of you have tried this, I would really be interested in your experiences. I have removed the VHS player and have plenty of room in the center console for a small DVD player (to replace the VHS machine). Therefore, in this console, there is a 12V power supply, etc.

Here is my first hurdle or issue. I cannot find a small portable DVD player with the same RCA input & output wire configuration as the old VHS player. I am only finding RCA output wires (not input). I am thinking I would like to have the SAME configuration in the DVD player as the VHS player it is intended to replace - but am not really an expert on what possible adapters or other fittings might exist to solve my upgrade problem. The VHS system has 3 RCA wires (red, yellow & white) plugged into the "input" RCA plugs on the rear of the VHS player (wires from the rear of the center console for the AUX inputs mounted there for 3rd row passengers) and then 3 RCA "output" wires on the back of the VHS player that presumably go to the roof mounted screen. Shouldn't a portable DVD player I select have the same? Or, is there an adapter, etc. Ideally, I would like to have an integrated audio connection into the factory radio system that DOES NOT use the FM modulator, but I think that may be asking too much.

This system uses an FM modulator to listen to the movies through the factory speakers ... and a wireless headphone system on a seperate switch/circuit for others to listen to behind the front seats (that when used allows independent use of the factory radio/speakers vs. the wireless headphones. Thanks in advance.

Also, are there any wiring scematics available online for this system?

Ken

 

I'm not familiar enough with your system to tell you how to do what you are thinking of. I can offer an alternative though. As I mentioned in the other thread, I did install a factory DVD "kit" in my '01. It was a complete new kit meant for the 2003 vans that I picked up on eBay for about $300. The DVD play replaced the 4-disk cd-changer that I used to have at the bottom of the center console and the kit came with all the necessary brackets, hardware and harnesses (which are not the RCA type).

When I first installed the kit, I did have to buy a special adapter harness to connect the DVD player to my '01 casette radio head since the connections are all different between 01 and 03. Ultimately I missed having the cd-changer and I bought a radio head unit from an '03 with a built in 6 disk changer-- I had to buy an adapter harness to connect this radio to my vehicle harness though.

In the end, I now have an '01 van with an '03 cd/radio/dvd system in it. It works seemlessly and works and looks factory.

You may want to keep an eye out for an OEM kit on eBay-- they do come up once in a while, probably when a dealer is cleaning his closet. Just watch out for the junk yard "sets" that come with clipped connectors and no brackets.

For some reason, the factory VHS systems are not covered by the factory service manual for our van, so no wiring diagrams. I'm not sure if anyone has another source though.

 

Hey Rick,

Thanks for posting this thread. It sounds almost exactly like what I'd like to do to mine.
Can you tell me the best place to find the part numbers for these wiring adapters needed for these types of upgrades? I had seen a few posts on here suggesting a Mr.CD1 on Ebay, but apparently, he's no longer selling stuff on Ebay.
Any additional tips and/or advice would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Elvis (not by choice)