Hood Pin Switch Whats it For??
 

ok here's picture i happened to have where u can see it off to the side on the bracket with label on it between washer fluid and coolant res:

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/7...epicqj9.th.jpg

im trying to find out what it's purpose is because it appears to be stock, has part # on it and hooks up to a main harness which runs over the wheel well on pass fender. I can try and get more pics of in lil bit of difficult but i could try.

anyways what im looking to do is use this hopefully use this for means of a switch controling under hood lights i want to install some time soon, for working on it/just being able to see at night.

i've looked at wiring diagrams in my haynes manual and cant seem to find it anywhere and did brief net search but came up with nothing.

so questions are i guess as follows:

1. What's this used for/can it be tapped into?
2. How would i go about taping into this to be used for controling underhood lights? (ie. hood up lights on, hood down lights off)
3. The 2 wires comming from the hoodpin switch which would i tap into? and how would i determine which?

i know i have more ques but i can think of them right atm. if you guys need any info as to truck, pics or w/e let me kno and ill get it here asap.

Thanks in Advance
Andy

um WTF.. i have never seen that on a ranger and by the way the fender bolt head the paint has been chiped off that bolt has been removed no less to install that. my only guess is a car alarm but i could be wrong

It is for the perimeter alarm. That is the "hood open" switch.

It would be easier to just use a standard Ford underhood light with a built-in mercury switch.

Here's one from a Probe that I got from the JY for $5 including the harness. You can get one of these from just about any make or model. Position the lamp properly and wire up power and ground and it will come on automatically when the hood is raised.

http://www.generation-edge.info/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3205

http://www.applepics.com/53/userfiles/442154d01c609.jpg

http://www.applepics.com/53/userfiles/442154cfa5189.jpg

i want something that looks lil nicer i dunno any ideas? and want it to be really bright

flashlight?

why dont the new rangers come with the underhood light? my 93 did...

that can fall under the same category of:

Well why arnt power seats an option on Lvl2 rangers? my cousins 93 'splash' has power seats...

iight then... just seems like all rangers have these from 90 up...

my guess would be car alarm.

You want something that looks nicer?It looks like it was meant for a Ranger.Then again,I have never seen anything on Bob's truck NOT be nice.BTW,I agree that your pin switch is for some kind of alarm.Go with a factory, mercury switch type and be done with it.

I take it you bought it used.......LOL

Definatly the previous owner had an alarm system in it. I bet if you look hard around the engine bay you'll find the horn cone too. Check up between the rad and the front grille.

As for that underhood light......I've been meaning to do that mod. I like it!!

Go shopping at your neighborhood boneyard and you will find a wide variety of underhood lights. Most are more functional than beautiful, though. BTW, that light is bright enough to do the job but, of course, it looks less impressive in a daylight photo.

first off the hood pin switch is stock not aftermarket alarm it must be for the stock alarm set-up, i kno this because of the ford parts number and logo on sticker.

only reason i wanted something nicer was to look better in daytime and give alot of light as to not need flashlight or w.e but thanks ill check out the jy's

It is the anti-theft hood switch for the factory perimeter alarm. This alarm was factory installed for a few years on Rangers that had power locks/RKE. Later Rangers don't have the hood switch.

my hood pin switch that I installed is so that you can't remote start the car by accident when you are under the hood. It comes with the compustar alarm/remote start.

that must be what mine is rwenzing thankz so its able to be used to power my light without affecting the alarm functions??

also has anyone done a sorta write-up/how-to for this?? unless i can get walkthrough from one of your knowledgeable guys.