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Just did my 2003 F250 6-spd today. I mainly wanted to install a starter kill switch.
Just removed the two wires needed for the starter and routed to a toggle to prevent crank.
Plugged the remaining four wires back into the clutch switch to continue using the cruise control.
Wondering now why I didn't do this 15-years ago..
Thanks for the nice write-up
Domenic
Which two wires did you remove? Did you leave the defective switch in place and the harness plugged into it?
Just did my 2003 F250 6-spd today. I mainly wanted to install a starter kill switch.
Just removed the two wires needed for the starter and routed to a toggle to prevent crank.
Plugged the remaining four wires back into the clutch switch to continue using the cruise control.
Wondering now why I didn't do this 15-years ago..
Thanks for the nice write-up
Domenic
Which two wires did you remove? Did you leave the defective switch in place and the harness plugged into it?
I made this mod a few days ago, very simple. However, my color codes were a little different. I butt spliced (used high quality heat shrink butt) the red w\green stripe to what looks like a solid yellow. I didn't see the need to solder (no other external connections on the vehicle are soldered).
It's the two wires on the left in the photos. And yes, I have dogs;-)
No, the switch is necessary for the cruise control system to function normally. Also, if you just leave the switch hanging without bypassing the switch the truck will not start. The clutch switch is a two pole switch. That means it switches two separate loads. In this case one load is normally open, that means electricity does not flow through, and one is normally closed, that means in it's resting position electricity flows through it to complete the circuit.
The cruise circuit is normally closed when the pedal is not pressed. When it is opened the cruise control shuts off.
Conversely, the started circuit is normally open, electricity cannot flow to the starter relay when the pedal is not pressed. When it is pressed the circuit closes and electricity can flow to the starter relay if the key is turned. By bypassing the switch and connecting the two wires that are normally not connected you are making so electricity can always flow from the ignition switch (key) to the starter relay, regardless of the position of the clutch pedal, and therefor the clutch switch.
So, since I can put the two wires (pink with blue stripe in my case) together and start the truck and the other two (green) should be for the cruise? And they should be left not touching in order for cruise to work, correct?
I did a little work on the clutch pedal switch that disables the starter and thought I'd take some pics and describe the job in case any other ZF lovers out there wanted to get rid of theirs. It takes very little time and is completely reversible if you decide to leave it for the 'safety factor'. I heard someone say that it may disable the cruise control but I have an XL so I can't say if it does or not. It is quick and easy to return to its original position if you try it and it does turn off the cruise.
1) First remove the switch from the actuator rod. (hard to get to and I couldn't get a camera in there to get a pic, sorry) There's a large plug in the top with several wires but the only hard part is getting your hand in position so you can get the screwdriver or knife blade to it. After removing the plug pull the switch backwards just enough so it will rotate on the rod. When you rotate the top towards you there is room to get a screwdriver or knife blade to the flat tabs on either side, when you pry the tabs up the bottom of the switch will come off easily.
This pic shows the tabs on the side of the switch, they are thin and move easy. Attachment 203946 Attachment 203947
2)In that same pic you can see a tab at the front of the switch, there is one on either side that hold the end in place. Pull these two tabs and pull the end away (the two springs inside are fairly strong for their size so don't let them shoot across the yard/shop).
3)Now all you do is take the white piece of plastic that the springs used to hold to the back of the switch and move it to the front. Attachment 203949
4)Now slide the springs back onto the 'legs' behind the white piece (don't know what else to call it?) Attachment 203950
5)Snap the end back on the main body, make sure to get the points on the legs in the holes at the other end. Attachment 203951 Attachment 203952
6)Now either reinstall the switch back on the clutch rod and plug it in or just plug it in and tuck it out of the way under the dash so it's easy to get to if you want to return it to original. If you have cruise I would suggest not installing it back on the clutch rod at least until after you drive it and find out if it effects the cruise or not. If you don't reinstall it on the rod remember to replace the bottom before plugging it back in.
It's much easier than it sounds and it took a lot longer to write this up than it did to do the work on the clutch! I just didn't want to leave anything out, if anyone decides to do this you will see that it's pretty self explanetory once you get that switch out. I would suggest making an appointment with a chiropractor before starting this though, the work is easy but you'll have a dislocated back and shoulder when you finally get your arm up there to unplug that switch (unless you have some kind of cool mutant powers). I've only had it done for one day and already love not having to hold the clutch every time I start the truck.
could you not by pass the cruise control portion so it won't affect cruise control it when you press the clutch in. I ask because my switch works for starting it but my cruise control stop working I hate to replace the switch like I did ten years ago and yes you need to be limber to get to that switch and I'm no spring chicken. But if I have to get up under there I would rather fix it so I can use the switch that is there but put in a by pass for cruise control I love my cruise control. Could you not manipulate the switch so it still functions to start the rig but it bypasses that cruise control switch and yes I know pushing in the clutch the cruise control won't shut off but I usually hit my brake pedal before my clutch pedal when I'm using my cruise control and brake pedal turns the cruise control off or I hit the button on the steering wheel to turn it off so that clutch pedal switch for the cruise control is more annoying than anything especially now that it's gone out for a second time ugh. Or bypassing that part of the switch would that screw up the circuit and make it nonfunctional or mess something else up what are your thoughts.
thanks
