I hooked my fog lights into a stock location foglight switch.

I am going to run the electric fan as well. I was wanting to have a master switch with three positions, if it's even possible.

Here is what I am considering, if it can be done.

Use the 4x4 switch, as it'll be in the stock location, and will look all fancy and junk.

2WD would be "OFF"
4HI would be "AUTO"
4LO would be "ON"

Is it possible to have it like that? The auto setting would run on the thermostat...

Bob? John? Anyone?

Thanks in advance!

 

I bet you could, haha

 

I dont see a reason why not, its just wiring. As long as you can still run the T-Case with another switch, I'd say run with it. WHats the worst thats gonna happen? You run alot of wires and it doesnt work, so you have to re-hook up the 4x4 Switch to the Tcase?

 

Heeh, I don't have a transfer case...I would never d/c the stock 4x4 to run a fan, lol.

 

The 4x4 switch is a 3 position switch with one input and one output. Each of the three possible paths through the switch has an different internal resistor to vary the voltage seen at the 4WD Control Module. This voltage level is how the 4WDCM knows the driver's command.

To use it as you are proposing, Adam, you would need to bypass each of the internal resistors in the 2 "ON" paths and open the wire in the "OFF" path. You would also have to separate the single output wire into two "ON" wires. I don't know if bypassing the resistors and splitting the outputs is practical - I've never seen the inside of the switch.

In addition, this switch is probably designed for very low current. Would it handle switching fan relays? No idea.

 

Hmm... Maybe I should just get a dual-spot foglight bezel and use the second switch for the fan, on/off. Maybe I should just leave it on auto.

I'd really like to have a 3-position switch that looked very stock...do you have any sugestions?

 

coulndt he build a electronic device that would be able to sense the voltage and turn the circuit he wanted?

i lack that knowledge but someone here may

 

A Ranger headlight switch has almost what you need electrically (off position and two on positions). The only problem is that the park contacts are hot in both "on" positions.

This would probably work: just use the park position for "auto" and the headlight position to override it for "always on". Depending on how it's wired, you might need a diode in there somewhere or perhaps the relay(s) will take care of it.

 

Grand! Now, if the headlight switch can be fabbed to fit where the 4x4 switch is.

Bob, if you ever have any time, could I convince you with something to help me out with this? I can do the wiring, just not the research. I am not that smart!

Thank you so much for even contesting the idea.

 

Bob, I had yet another idea. I think that it might not work, but could be cool if I wanted just straight on/off. What about a Sport Trac rear window control? It rotates to the left and right, making a contact and then returning to middle ground. Seems like it makes a contact, activates a relay and goes back to a neutral state. Seems to me it would only have 2 positions.

 

No problem, Adam. I think it's possible to make the H/L switch work electrically. My suggestion would be to try the 4x4 **** on the H/L switch but Murphy's Law says that there's not much chance of it fitting.

You also need to watch the depth on anything mounted in the bezel. I had a bit of trouble with that with my nonstandard switches.

 

Maybe. I have a 2003 ST book and it shows the rear window switch as two position momentary-on with a center off. You could make a pair of latching circuits using a some relays to activate the two "on" positions. But then you would need a way to be able to turn it off when desired.

It looks like the ST switch also has a separate "vent" command that you might be able to use for a cancel switch. The diagram and tests do not indicate if the vent contacts are momentary-on like a doorbell pushbutton or if they stay on like a house wall switch. The pushbutton style would be ideal for a cancel switch.

Since the 2-position part of the switch always returns to center after use, you might want to add a "fan on" LED so you can monitor what mode the fan is in.

 

I forgot about the 'push' function of the ST switch. Hmm. This sounds awesome. The push could be off, that would make the most sense to me. One way or the other could be on and auto.

What do you think, Bob?

 

I haven't seen the switch in person but it does sound promising.

 

If you can conger up the idea, drawings nad know-how, I'd definately make it worth your time...

 

Swoop on the 2 door explore sports how about the rear wiper switch

 

Yeah, thought about that one, but that would be a "on/off" switch. I was trying to be cool and functional at the same time using 3. I might just get another foglight switch and a bezel for both spots and change the foglight picture to a wiper picture just to differenciate, and use it as an on/off thing.