help why did someone do this?

[grumpyoldgamer]

not sure if this is the right place to post this but .. here it gos
just got an 07 sport trac limited with the 4.6 and there is a on/off toggle switch mounted in the armrest with the wires going to the 4x4 control module someone has taped in to one wire it is red with a black strip.
when the switch is in the on position everything is fine but when in the off position the massage center on the dash gos orange with a picture of a wrench. witch i know means theres a problem with the drive train or 4x4 system im question is why did the last owner do this? so i put it to you the st experts

 

[GreenMando]

question is why did the last owner do this? so i put it to you the st experts

previous owner was a dumbass.

 

[R1dd1cK]

On the wiring diagram it says the pin that has the red/black strip wire is HAT1. Witch stands for hot at all times. Can to take a pic of the switch and where its located? Have you tried to start and drive the truck with the switch off? They might of some how found it kills the truck from being driven. That is just a thought but might be worth a try.

 

[grumpyoldgamer]

truck drivers and starts with switch in the off position it just put up the service wrench light on the dash. switch is in center console armrest its just an on off pole. could they have wanted to disable traction control? can i get a copy of that diagram

 

[grumpyoldgamer]

previous owner was a dumbass.

ya think

 

[R1dd1cK]

could they have wanted to disable traction control?

I don't know what they where thinking but that wire supply half the power to the 4x4 control module. Like was said in a previous post previous owner was a dumbass.

can i get a copy of that diagram

Sure can. If you want it just send me a PM with your email address and will send it your way.

 

[Kazer]

Sounds like a form of the "Brown wire mod". Basically when the switch is off the auto 4x4 is disabled and you effectively have a 2wd truck. My switch is next to my radio, but I've never heard of this mod for 4th gens

 

[grumpyoldgamer]

belive it or not but the last owner of my st was a user on this site and i found the thread that talks about this wiring job he did. he was trying to do the brown wire mod. to turn off the four wheel drive system. it was kinda fun to read about all the stuff he did to the truck and its all the stuff im taking off and putting back to stock or fixing.. that and he lives only about a 30 drive from my town.... small world

 

[R1dd1cK]

Cool would you mind giving us a link to his wiring thread?

 

[grumpyoldgamer]

here the link to the thread for the brown wire mod that the last owner of my truck did to my truck what do you all think.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=311436

 

[06bluez]

Ive tried this mod as well, and I think the wrench is coming up because the module is not seeing the resistance from the electromagnet when you break the circuit to the transfer case. If you find the resistance of the clutch magnet in the TC, and wire the switch to change between the normal circuit or a 'resistor pack' circuit, i think the wrench will go away.

Also with controltrac, unless you turn traction control off by holding the button for 7 seconds or so, the brakes will kick in if you go trying to do stupid stuff like 2wd burnouts and such..

 

[grumpyoldgamer]

06bluez you are right on all counts but im taking out the switch and putting it back to stock. witch is fine with me ive had numbrs of muscle cars and theres nothing you can really do to make a sport trac fast . its more tool than toy. my daily driver and camper puller it just needs to look good and work like it was designed to and ill be more than happy with it! although a cold air intake might not hurt ;-)

 

[R1dd1cK]

Ok yea that is what I thought he was doing. He just put a switch inline of the power lead to turn off the 4x4 module. That way he didn;t have to pull a fuse all the time.