Odd Wiring near Interior Fuse Panel

[Don S]

Today, I removed the passenger side fuse cover and kick panel to install the tailgate release wiring. With the kick panel off, you can see all the electronics in and around the fuse panel. I found an after market spade connector screwed into the sheet metal (ground) and a couple of wires where they tapped into existing wiring with a "T" connector. It was definitely NOT Ford wiring.

This is a brand new truck and this wiring through me for a loop. The only thing I can think of....it's for the alarm/kill switch that the dealer uses on all of his vehicles. The one where they use a small connector and plug it into a socket under the dash. While writing this, it dawned on me I should chase the wiring form that plug under the dash.

Anyone seen this before? I should have taken a photo.

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

yeah, cant help much without seeing it

 

[Antho]

If you can get a pic with the color of the wires i can find out what wires they are. But not much info to go off of..

 

[Don S]

Yeah....I know I should have taken a photo, but trust me, it was after market connectors tapped into the Ford wiring loom. Not Ford wiring.

I went to pickup dinner awhile ago, and checked for that plug that the dealer installed. It looks like a smaller OBDII connector to the right of the steering wheel. I think I've answered my own question.....it's dealer installed, it was just weird to open up a hidden area, on new truck, and see some aftermarket wiring.

Will call Ford dealer tomorrow and probably remove the plug and they're wiring, since it's a kill switch that I don't want to fail at a later time.

 

[Asinine]

I’ve heard some dealers will install anti theft devices. And sometimes they’ll charge you for it.

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

some dealers will install starter interrupts but usually only do it with people with mediocre credit in case they dont pay their bill

 

[Don S]

The device in my truck is an anti-theft device. Typically, they try to sell you it as an option. I didn't buy into any of their push to sell add-ons at registration.

I'm going to remove it and see if they want to buy it back!

 

[wheelman55]

If you can take the wire off, shrink wrap it. If the wire can’t be removed tape it with some Super 33.

 

[Ski4Ever]

If you can easily remove the anti-theft device, doesn't that defeat the "anti-theft" portion of the device?

 

[FordTechOne]

Dealers install these $15 “anti-theft” kits and try to sell them to the customer through the finance department. They’ll often charge in the range of $600 for these aftermarket pieces of junk. If the customer declines, they just leave the kit in the vehicle because it’s so cheap that it’s not worth uninstalling.

The biggest issue with these kits is the damage they cause to the factory harnesses. They’ll cut the factory wires and then install spade connectors to connect them to the aftermarket wiring. They often also use scotch locks/quick splices, which actually cut into the factory wiring by slicing through the insulation as well as the first few strands of copper wire.

After you remove the kit, inspect the factory wiring carefully. If there are wires cut in half, re-solder then with heat shrink, or better yet make the dealer do it. Same with any wires that were damaged by scotch lock/quick splices; if the wire strands have been cut, the circuit is compromised and will need to be cut out and repaired with a new piece of wire and solder.