should i hook this up ?

[badtip]

While i was doing some maintenance on my 1998 allegro bus on a freightliner XC chassis i noticed this wire was not connected, it is on some sort of pressure switch that is part of the brake pedal air control.
I have have never had any problems and it looks like it has never been hooked up as there is undercoating sprayed on the threads and on the wire connector.
Any input would be appreciated.
Ken

[Wayne M]

Wow! That is one question I would be sending to Freightliner. I'd just be interested in finding out what it was, and if it will improve anything.

[J Walker]

Finding the answer to your question will be very hard. To know that what isn't working requires that you know what normal operation is. It could simply be an low air pressure warning. If you have never heard it you won't miss it. On my MH there were two wires cut during manufacture and it took some really expert technicians to fix them. In both cases I found something that didn't work which lead to the search. I believe that there are a number of wires that aren't connected on every chassis. I would ignore it and make sure it doesn't short to ground. A call to Freightliner in Gaffney would be a good move. Maybe they could offer a list of things you could check to see if it is operating normally.

[chasfm11]

Ken, I'd agree with Wayne about contacting FCC before connecting anything. I'd take it one step further. I was able to get them to send me a paper copy of the wiring diagram for my chassis. I would make that request first and then study the wiring diagram. Yes, I know that the diagrams looks like a massive pile of spatting but you can, if you are patient, trace the wires.

I had an intermittent problem with my speedometer which I fixed. The way that I fixed it was being able to understand where each wire went. It isn't easy because the wiring on the diagram might not exactly match what you have. By your looking at your diagram, and then physically checking the wires in the area (I'd suggest carefully using compressed air or something to improve the visibility on the wire colors), you will be in a position to ask the correct questions of the FCC techs. They will be able to figure out wiring change updates etc. This may be important because the open wire may have been a part of a wiring harness update. I have a few of those myself.

I'd admit that it is a long tedious route to answering your question but, IMHO, there is no other practical way. Taking it to a dealer would be useless and expensive.

YMMV.

Charlie

[Luckiest Dre]

I know that when building a MH and using a chassis from any manufacture the wiring harness is used for several different applications and many of them are not used for the body style they are finally outfitted with. My 2008 has several plugs that are just hanging there and were never used. That may be the case with the one you found.
The coach I have was wired for a CB. Those wires have not been used but that connection is still there. Mine has an airconditioner installed by the MH builder, yet the chassis builder had another model in mind and they wired it for that application, never to be used!

[JohnRR]

More than likely someone disconnected it because the switch was faulty and sounding/showing an alarm.

Do you have a volt/ohm meter or know how to use one if you do you first need to check both wires and see if you have power at either one I'm guessing not, then run the ohm meter across the switch itself I'm betting that it's closed with or with out air pressure to it. I'll further bet a nickle if you hook the wire back up you'll either see or hear a warning signal of some type if it's all still operational.

[mfire1339]

I believe if someone did disconnect it for some reason they would have taped it up or some such to avoid contact with anything.

Mike

[Midniteoyl]

Unless it just passes ground. But, I agree with the above - try to find a wiring diagram.

[badtip]

Thanks for the reply's, i went ahead and hooked up the wire , started up the motor check to see if there was a difference in low pressure alarms, bells, buzzers, and see no difference.
I think it could be either a second brake light switch or another low pressure switch.
I will see what happens on my next trip.

Thanks Ken

[Chuck 1935]

Quote:

Originally Posted by badtip Thanks for the reply's, i went ahead and hooked up the wire , started up the motor check to see if there was a difference in low pressure alarms, bells, buzzers, and see no difference. I think it could be either a second brake light switch or another low pressure switch. I will see what happens on my next trip. Thanks Ken

I think you did the right thing. It looks like someone dissconnected it during the manufacturing process and forgot to re connect it.

[Eric_H_E]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck 1935 I think you did the right thing. It looks like someone dissconnected it during the manufacturing process and forgot to re connect it.

On a 13 year old rig? and everything worked without it?

[Bob/Becky D - VA]

Believe in the old axiom "If it aint broke don't fix it." I everything worked why chance creating a problem?

Bob

[Chuck 1935]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric_H_E On a 13 year old rig? and everything worked without it?

Got to re look at the picture. The wire connection is right next to the post that it belongs on. No tape or anything to indicate it was not intended to be off the terminal. 13 years and everything worked without it ? Are you REALLY sure ?

[Midniteoyl]

If you look at the stud, you'll see that there is a spot without corrosion.. it WAS hooked up at one time. The question is, why was it disconnected? What is it actually for? Thats what I would be trying to figure out...