What's this thing?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Burlington, WI
What's this thing?
I found this when I was crawling around under my truck today. There is a plug for it up under the hood that isnt plugged into anything. Does anyone know what it is or if it's important?
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
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From: Austin, TX
That looks like a VR (variable reluctance) sensor for an aftermarket cruise control system. It it pointed at the driveshaft in any way? I can't tell it's relative position based on your picture.
Here is an example of how these are typically mounted:
Here is an example of how these are typically mounted:
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Burlington, WI
I think that's what it is. I do have an aftermarket cruise control system on the truck so that would make sense. Where is this thing supposed to be pugged in to? there's no place for it to be plugged in to the main brain box. I have a Dana add on kit if that helps.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
They run to a control module. If that's not happening for you, then either the connection is made as part of some sort of wiring harness that you're missing, or you're not looking at the actual control module. All cruise control systems require a speed sensor input.
The geometry of how these are mounted is pretty important. They typically must be mounted within a half-inch to an inch of the magnets on the driveshaft, just like the picture I attached. I can't tell from your picture how yours is mounted, but the driveshafts on these trucks have quite a bit of open space around them. That's why these sensors usually come with some sort of bracket to get them close to the magnets. Yours almost looks like it's mounted to the frame or underside of the bed. If it's not mounted correctly and the magnets are missing, then trying to hook it up is a moot point because it's not going to work.
The geometry of how these are mounted is pretty important. They typically must be mounted within a half-inch to an inch of the magnets on the driveshaft, just like the picture I attached. I can't tell from your picture how yours is mounted, but the driveshafts on these trucks have quite a bit of open space around them. That's why these sensors usually come with some sort of bracket to get them close to the magnets. Yours almost looks like it's mounted to the frame or underside of the bed. If it's not mounted correctly and the magnets are missing, then trying to hook it up is a moot point because it's not going to work.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Burlington, WI
From the looks of it, mine is installed correctly. I just measured it and it is pointed straight at the driveshaft and is a little less than a half inch away. Looks like the cruise control is fully hooked up after all.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
Is it pointed at the driveshaft, or the magnets on the driveshaft? Are the magnets still in place? That's what's important. The cruise control system must also specify the number of magnets that need to be evenly spaced on the driveshaft (typically 4). You can see them zip-tied in place in the picture I attached.
The manufacturer will also usually specify how far down the driveshaft the magnets and sensor can be placed, so that the sensor's "line of sight" remains relatively constant despite vertical movement from the driveshaft.
The manufacturer will also usually specify how far down the driveshaft the magnets and sensor can be placed, so that the sensor's "line of sight" remains relatively constant despite vertical movement from the driveshaft.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Burlington, WI
It is pointed at the magnets. There appear to be four of them held on with the original strapping tape that was supplied with the kit and they are still stuck on there pretty good.
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