QuestionHi! We just purchased a 2002 Ford Windstar LE. I know it was mentioned that you know a lot on after market merchandise, but I was hoping you could assist with this question. This van has the Autovision Video Entertainment System with the monitor installed in it. We got this van for such a great price, this was the least of our worries if this was working. But now we would like to see what we could do. The VHS works as we can see everything is lit and we can hear a VHS tape running, but nothing comes up when we pull down the monitor. We didn't know if we had to turn the monitor on or do something for this. If everything is all working good on this end for the monitor, then I was wondering what you would recommend for us to do so we can have a DVD player instead. We really don't have any VHS tapes left at all. Are there any recommendations if there could be a way to get one installed so we wouldn't have to take a portable one and plug it into the red/white/yellow then have it lay around? A neat type of arrangement would be much better, plus quick to get to. (Of course this all comes down to that monitor working:) Thanks so much for your help.
AnswerHi Patty,
I am going to assume here that you have the setup where the vcr and screen are one unit mounted on the headliner (roof) of your vehicle.
Units differ from model to model, however, if there is a power on button for the monitor it will be located on the front or sides of the monitor, some models have a power button for the screen on the remote, however i doubt this unit has it as it is a newer option available on select dvd systems. If there is no power button on the front or sides of the screen then chances are that the monitor is setup to trun on with the vcr, or when the screen is pulled down.
It is possible that the connection internally within the unit that tells the monitor to turn on is broken and needs repair, it is also possible that the units A/V cables have come loose or broken over time, though this is rare in an enclosed and self contained unit.
I would recommend replacing the unit entirely, any automotive customizer shop can sell and install the same style system or a different one of your liking which not only has a secured housing for the player but plays dvd's as well.
VHS is outdated and rarely used now with digital remastering of all vhs tapes into dvd's, so if this is something you think your going to be getting a lot of use out of, i would suggest contacting a local aftermarket auto store, or even a best buy to get a replacement installed.
Best buy will sell you the unit and has a service department that can install it for you also, with minimal down time for the car, usually only a hour or so to install the unit, though time varies depending on the number of technicians and how many cars are ahead of you. Plus doing it this way gives you a warranty, so if anything ever goes wrong with the unit you are covered.
Also best buy has some really good dvd systems, that are more modern, they cost a bit more but are well worth it if you have children who love their dvds. These systems come in many sizes and types, some mount the dvd unit under the rear seat and a screen on the roof, others have headrest replacements which have screens built into them with the dvd players built into the headrest also, and they look very nice and classy. I have the headrest setup in one of my cars, and i love it, you get headphones with it usually, and the viewers can watch seperate movies on different Video channels or go to the same video channel and watch what the other person is watching, you can even listen to it on the car stereo by tuning to a preset dead frequency if youd like to listen along from the front.
These would be my suggestions for you, you can try to get it repaired also, however for the price it will cost it wil be more cost effective to replace it with a newer system.
Thanks
please let me know how you make out. I hope this helped.
