st.ryder64

While replacing the head unit on my recently purchased '02 today, I decided to tackle a couple other mysteries left by the PO. One, in particular, has me flummoxed...there was a small switch mounted in the dash, down by my knee. SPST, non-momentary. Followed the wires out through the firewall, where they disappeared into a bundle of duct tape flopping around under the hood. Removal of the duct tape showed two bared wire ends stuffed into the female contacts of what appears to be a factory connector. This is a small, 2-contact connector located in front of the left front shock mount (please see pic). There are two wires going from an OE harness to the connector, one black, one green.

What was this guy controlling by shorting across this connector with his little switch? I removed the wires and started the car...everything still seems to work as advertised. Help me, Obi-wan...you're my only hope. (Well, actually, the factory service manual just arrived from Helm this week, so I could just look it up on the schematic...but I figure you guys probably know this off the top of your helpful little heads).

Slowcrash_101

Cruise control?

noodels

By the look of it a cooling fan bypass

Mike in Detroit

Cruise control

st.ryder64

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Noodels nailed it (fanstat bypass)....not sure why I didn't receive any notifications that you replied, but after a couple of days calling everyone names, I finally got off my butt and dug through the service manual while poking my head around under the hood.

So this brings up other questions...the radiator doesn't appear to have a fanstat, though there is something down there...maybe a plug. I need to get the car in the air and slide under for a better look, but I'm presuming it's an aftermarket rad. The schematic shows that the ECU ties into this line as well, so can I assume that the ECU can also actuate the fan? If so, why use a fanstat at all?

I ripped the wires/switch out and then drove around in very hot and muggy ambient temps. Stop 'n' go, stoplight drag racing, high speed freeway...couldn't get the coolant gauge above mid-gauge, so either the ECU is actuating that fan or this aftermarket rad is so efficient, it doesn't NEED a fan. By the way, shorting across the fanstat connector brings on both fans, the rad fan and the condenser fan (there's no condenser coil...all the AC components are missing on this car).

For those guys who said "cruise control", well...that's missing, too, I discovered. The previous owner apparently wanted this car pretty darn Spartan. But that's the black 6-pin connector you see in the pic, just below the one I was asking about.

Thanks again for the replies.

mikefifth

That's for the flux capacitor.