Used 2010 F150-what's this?
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So now I have more of a clue as to what my mystery device is. I bought a factory TBC and went to install it today. The connector was not in the back of the dash panel plugged in to the junk box. It was down near the dealer computer plug-in (like in this thread: http://www.f150forum.com/f38/2010-tr...install-48262/).
However it had a wiring harness for an aftermarket TBC plugged into it that led to cut wires. There was indeed an aftermarket TBC (or one part of one) under the dash wired into who knows where, and some of the wires from this aftermarket TBC thing went to my mystery device. Still don't know what it does though.
I will probably need to go to my dealer to get this other TBC thing removed and the wiring set back to default so I can use my new factory TBC.
Mitch
However it had a wiring harness for an aftermarket TBC plugged into it that led to cut wires. There was indeed an aftermarket TBC (or one part of one) under the dash wired into who knows where, and some of the wires from this aftermarket TBC thing went to my mystery device. Still don't know what it does though.
I will probably need to go to my dealer to get this other TBC thing removed and the wiring set back to default so I can use my new factory TBC.
Mitch
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From: Lone Star State
A lot of car lots install security devices like that to reduce their insurance costs. Where do the wires go?
I made my dealer remove mine and replace the panel they mounted it to.
clip from website.
7. FLAT PLUG DEVICES - These devices are all mounted below the dash. The connections are very simple to make and only go to each end of the starter wire beneath the dash. The more sophisticated models include a red flashing light . . . which has nothing at all to do with the device's ability to deter theft. It is merely a red light that either blinks or burns continuously. Car thieves can overcome these devices in seconds by using a jumper wire or even with an "old fashioned" hat pin, simply by sticking it through one wire and into the other. They typically have a maximum of six different combinations and most car dealers use the same combination on every vehicle they sell. These systems are cheap, which enables some car dealers to install them on every vehicle in stock and try to sell their vehicles at a higher price. If a customer balks and does not want to pay for it, the dealer simply inserts a chip that will override the system. Dealers also know that these systems often result in problems . . . and customer complaints. There have been dozens of companies that manufacture flat plug devices, most of them have gone out of business already and the remaining few have just about run their course.
I made my dealer remove mine and replace the panel they mounted it to.
clip from website.
7. FLAT PLUG DEVICES - These devices are all mounted below the dash. The connections are very simple to make and only go to each end of the starter wire beneath the dash. The more sophisticated models include a red flashing light . . . which has nothing at all to do with the device's ability to deter theft. It is merely a red light that either blinks or burns continuously. Car thieves can overcome these devices in seconds by using a jumper wire or even with an "old fashioned" hat pin, simply by sticking it through one wire and into the other. They typically have a maximum of six different combinations and most car dealers use the same combination on every vehicle they sell. These systems are cheap, which enables some car dealers to install them on every vehicle in stock and try to sell their vehicles at a higher price. If a customer balks and does not want to pay for it, the dealer simply inserts a chip that will override the system. Dealers also know that these systems often result in problems . . . and customer complaints. There have been dozens of companies that manufacture flat plug devices, most of them have gone out of business already and the remaining few have just about run their course.
Last edited by L8 APEX; Jun 26, 2010 at 10:52 PM.
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Ok, so I brought my truck to a dealer to do some programming and ask about that part. What I thought was a brake controller under the dash (because it had a gain control) was part of an after market car alarm. The gain was a sensitivity adjustment. The device on my dash was wired into the box under the dash with the gain/sensitivity controller. The alarm doesn't work, I guess it was added by the selling dealer but not sold to the original buyer and therefore disabled but not removed.
Mitch
Mitch