Drivers side firewall: 4 extra wires?
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 828
Likes: 3
From: Baltimore
Drivers side firewall: 4 extra wires?
I posted this in the Electrical section but it wasn't getting many hits. I apologize for making this second post but I thought maybe it would get better responses here.
On my 2005 F250 4x4 6.0L, there are 4 wires in the engine compartment that are not connected to anything. They are coming out of the wire harness on the driverside at the firewall about 6 inches below the hood. The wires are about 8 inches long and there are 4 of them: red, blue, white and black.
I checked them with a testlight and they are not lighting or brakes. What are they for?
One responder on the electrical forum said that these might be for owner usage and that the other end of them is under the dash somewhere. If so, where under the dash can I find them?
Thanks.
On my 2005 F250 4x4 6.0L, there are 4 wires in the engine compartment that are not connected to anything. They are coming out of the wire harness on the driverside at the firewall about 6 inches below the hood. The wires are about 8 inches long and there are 4 of them: red, blue, white and black.
I checked them with a testlight and they are not lighting or brakes. What are they for?
One responder on the electrical forum said that these might be for owner usage and that the other end of them is under the dash somewhere. If so, where under the dash can I find them?
Thanks.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 2
These are "customer access" wires. They shouldn't light up - they're not tied to anything. The other end can be found behind the fuse box, I believe close to the upfitter wiring. Ford installs these so you can install aftermarket equipment without the need to punch your own holes in the firewall.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 775
Likes: 0
From: Northern Va
What he said....
The internal termination varies by year, but that is what they are. If you have the "PTO" option they are used for it, otherwise you can use them for a hella-of-a set of lights (pun intended), guages, or what ever your heart desires..
The internal termination varies by year, but that is what they are. If you have the "PTO" option they are used for it, otherwise you can use them for a hella-of-a set of lights (pun intended), guages, or what ever your heart desires..
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 828
Likes: 3
From: Baltimore
I found the wires right above the fusebox. They are bundled together with about 1/2 dozen other wires that are unterminated under the dash. I guess the other ones are for a trailer brake controller or an alarm? Anyway, thanks for your help.
- ron
- ron
New User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
I can find the four wires in the engine compartment, but not inside by the fuse panel. I had the truck in the shop yesterday for my FREE initial service, and I asked them to show me where they came into the cab. They couldn't find them! The service manager said he was intrigued and was going to call Ford. Here is his reply to me:
Turns out that is a hell of a good question. I looked with my Foreman in the microfiche to no avail. Spoke with Tech Assist and they just don't know. The likely answer from them is that when the option is not used, the wires are taped into an existing harness. Other than removing the conduit protection and looking for the appropriate wire, they just don't have an answer. Wish I had better news, but I don't. Let me know if you have any ideas that I might push forth on your behalf.
Nice of Ford to put them in, but I think it is for their own convenience, not the customer's. Anyone have any better ideas on how to find them? My truck is an 05 F250 Supercab 4X2.
Turns out that is a hell of a good question. I looked with my Foreman in the microfiche to no avail. Spoke with Tech Assist and they just don't know. The likely answer from them is that when the option is not used, the wires are taped into an existing harness. Other than removing the conduit protection and looking for the appropriate wire, they just don't have an answer. Wish I had better news, but I don't. Let me know if you have any ideas that I might push forth on your behalf.
Nice of Ford to put them in, but I think it is for their own convenience, not the customer's. Anyone have any better ideas on how to find them? My truck is an 05 F250 Supercab 4X2.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 775
Likes: 0
From: Northern Va
According to this https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas...bb_pdf/160.pdf they are behind the fuse box.. Strange you can't find them.
Do you have a PTO installed?
Do you have a PTO installed?
New User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
No PTO. I didn't look too hard, but the service manager and two techs spent twenty minutes poking around, to no avail. They must be well hidden.
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 2
Mine were visible right off. Crawl down under the dash and look up toward the parking break. The ends of the wires are covered in black heat-shrink. Look for a wad of heat-shrink-covered wire tips and you're on the right track...
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Wish I'd seen this earlier ... just ran power through the firewall for my reverse camera system (truck and trailer) .. oh well, had to run the video/sound RCA plug wires through anyway ... Now what else can I put into/onto my truck that needs wires through the firewall ... let me see ...
Later!
Later!
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 640
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by tvsjr
Mine were visible right off. Crawl down under the dash and look up toward the parking break. The ends of the wires are covered in black heat-shrink. Look for a wad of heat-shrink-covered wire tips and you're on the right track...
Frank
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: NY
Folks, you know your wires!
How about another wiring question?
I've connected the existing wires under my dash to new headlight switch with the driving light option.
Where are the wires under the hood to connect to the driving light harness?
Thanks!
How about another wiring question?
I've connected the existing wires under my dash to new headlight switch with the driving light option.
Where are the wires under the hood to connect to the driving light harness?
Thanks!
