I purchased a deactivation switch before my truck was recalled and my dealer now refuses to install the fused jumper harness, although I did recieve a check for the switch that I replaced. I would like to run an inline fuse just to have a sort of double safety blanket in case this switch begins to leak as well, I know it isnt supposed to leak but neither were the ones that was put on there originally. I noticed two wires in the pigtail that came with the new switch, how can I test, or does anyone know which one is the "hot"?

 

This is from the 97-99 F150 manual. I used a inline 2A fuse.
The Light Green / Red stripe wire should be hot. It's a good idea to check it with a meter anyway. Cut the wire and splice in the fuseholder. Tape everything up to make it look neat and prevent water intrusion.




Fritz

 

I think you should understand the dealer refusal thinking a bit more.
IMO it's a dealer libilty issue.
If the truck should burn from the original type of fault and you did the unauthorized work and it's proven in court, you are stuck with the results.
If the dealer does any of the work on top of your work he is now liable rather than Ford motor company. They won't take the chance even though remote in your case.
Since there is a 'pecking' order to all this, the stakes are very high for the dealer and he won't engauge you for what even seems a small difference like this.
This is also the basis of warrenty so you must condsider these things before acting yourself on any issue or alteration you have or make.
With respect, if you have to ask about wiring your not qualified to make the change, "in legal terms".

 

Well, if the truck burns down after I did any modifacation to it, I will gladly accept responsability for it. It dosent take a genius to unscrew a dang switch and screw a new one in. As far as the dealer refusing to put the fuse in there, thats fine and dandy as well, I will just put one in myself, thus at least lowering the chances of the truck catching fire. As far as asking which wire was hot, I asked not cause I am incapable of figuring out which one is hot, but because I didnt have the truck here to go out and look and was hoping for a point in the right direction to make it that much easier. It also dosent take a genius to snip a wire and reconnect with a fuse. And quite frankly, if the truck burns down after the fuse is installed, than I will not be inclined to believe that the brake switch is what caused it. I gave up on the dealer and decided to do a simple kindergarten capable job myself, I did not care what the dealers motives were for being a bunch of wussies, nor did I care for a lesson in law when I askes a simple straightforward question here.

 

Sorry I can't know of all your circumstance.
This is only a discussion and I did say 'repectfully to qualify my position.
I'm sorry you feel that way.