Purpose of Hood Switch - Expedition

[Ifixyawata]

So we ended up buying a 2014 Expedition Limited. The vehicle came with one key, as usual, with the fob head for lock, unlock, tailgate/trunk and panic buttons. In this MY I understand there were sometimes dealer-installed remote start systems. I noticed the presence of a hood open detection switch and wasn't sure if it was factory installed and for some other purpose than remote start or is this possibly an indication that the remote start exists but all the add-on fobs are long-lost?

 

[dishdude]

They usually integrate the switch into the hood latch. Can you post a picture of this switch?

 

[vavavroom]

Purpose:
- hood ajar
- alarm
- remote engine start safety kill switch* - if you were tinkering with the engine and someone were to remotely start the engine you might get hurt or even lose an important body part
- underhood light*

*if so equipped

 

[twouvakind]

My 2008 Silverado LT has a similar switch, never gave it a second thought about it being associated with remote start.

Well, fiddle de de........

This article applies to the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (1999-present).


So your Silverado has all of the cool options. Tilt, windows, locks, cruise – but what about remote start? Figured it would be too expensive to add? Your truck very well may already have everything installed for remote start except there is no key on the fob for it. If your truck shows that it has option package AP8, then you are in luck. You can purchase the key fob transmitter that has the remote start key on it and have the dealer or a shop with a J2534 programmer add the program to the BCM (Body Control Module).

 

[PimTac]

Leave your hood ajar and start the vehicle. Does it give a warning ?

 

[twouvakind]

Leave your hood ajar and start the vehicle. Does it give a warning ?

The Chevy does, hood ajar/open on the info display when started.

 

[twouvakind]

My SPID says yes to AP8.

 

[Ifixyawata]

Gonna check when I get home if there's a Hood Ajar message. I guess it makes sense to start with the simplest first. This doesn't preclude the possibility that this PowerCode system exists on the vehicle though. Any other giveaways if anyone is familiar with this option that would tell me if it was in place on the vehicle? Probably still better off to just get an aftermarket one installed but I wanted to make sure beforehand.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

My old Escort Wagon had a mystery hood-open detection switch about midway down the driver's-side fender in the engine bay. It looked added-on, even though it came on the car new, and I played heck identifying its actual purpose. Turned out it was for the alarm system, which was an option on that car.

Seems unlikely, but maybe the one on the Expedition has the same purpose.

 

[MNgopher]

The vehicle may also have a factory alarm system in it - several of my earlier Fords did, including my 1997 Explorer. (Hints would be any flashing red lights or "alarm" blinking on the dash (this goes back to '97, 04, and 07 Fords anyways...).

When the switch failed in my '97 Explorer, the solution was to just hotwire it without the switch... When the switch went bad, the alarm went off intermittently for no reason (and usually in the middle of the night in our garage...)

 

[fsdork]

Gonna check when I get home if there's a Hood Ajar message. I guess it makes sense to start with the simplest first. This doesn't preclude the possibility that this PowerCode system exists on the vehicle though. Any other giveaways if anyone is familiar with this option that would tell me if it was in place on the vehicle? Probably still better off to just get an aftermarket one installed but I wanted to make sure beforehand.

This post was within a couple minutes of the one by twouvakind with a photo of his RPO codes, so in case you missed it - find that sticker on your vehicle and see if you have a code that indicates remote start prep and/or install.

 

[Ifixyawata]

This post was within a couple minutes of the one by twouvakind with a photo of his RPO codes, so in case you missed it - find that sticker on your vehicle and see if you have a code that indicates remote start prep and/or install.

I believe that's a GM thing right?

 

[twouvakind]

I believe that's a GM thing right?

Correct, not sure on a FOMOCO equivalent

 

[Ifixyawata]

I believe that's a GM thing r

Correct, not sure on a FOMOCO equivalent

I'm pretty sure I read they were all prepped for it but that it was a dealer install plug and play kit so VIN wouldn't reflect it.

 

[fsdork]

I believe that's a GM thing right?

Sorry, I lost track of the fact that yours was a Ford. It seems from various posts on other forums that the service department at a Ford dealer can print a build sheet based on VIN. I'm not sure if they can/would charge for this.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Purpose:
- hood ajar
- alarm
- remote engine start safety kill switch* - if you were tinkering with the engine and someone were to remotely start the engine you might get hurt or even lose an important body part
- underhood light*

*if so equipped

Also disables auto stop-start

 

[CDX825]

When the switch failed in my '97 Explorer, the solution was to just hotwire it without the switch... When the switch went bad, the alarm went off intermittently for no reason (and usually in the middle of the night in our garage...)

I laugh because my 98 ranger used to do this often when my brother had it at college. The alarm would go off in the middle of the night waking everyone up.