What the heck is this?

[sflrainmaker01]

I came across this piece literally laying under the hood on top of the driver's side fender, just in front of rectangular box. It kinda looks like a old condenser (back in the day we used to use points in distributor). However, it sounds like there is a metal ball or something rolling around inside. The 2 wires coming out of it are disconnected. Also, if you look close in the picture, at the top of the picture, there is a purple wire with white hash marks and another wire that looks like it should connect to a ground on the fender, but the ground is not connected. The ground wire (I call it) is like a light brown. I don't think these wires have anything to do with the condenser looking thing. I was just curious about those.....:dunno:

[RocsMerc]

That box is the throttle for the cruse control.

[sflrainmaker01]

That box is the throttle for the cruse control.

That little condenser looking thing? Another pic...

[RocsMerc]

Oh, no. I don't know what that is. I was talking about the box with the metal on top in your first picture.

[J-MAN]

Underhood looks like a barn find.

[justbob]

I have taken my whole car apart numerous times and never noticed that!

Almost have to wonder if it isn't someone's homemade testing tool left behind? I know I have a couple makeshift tools I have made with resistors.


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

[sflrainmaker01]

I have taken my whole car apart numerous times and never noticed that!

Almost have to wonder if it isn't someone's homemade testing tool left behind? I know I have a couple makeshift tools I have made with resistors.


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Yeah, I was wondering what the slight rattle I was hearing. Sounds like a metal ball rolls around inside. Just sitting there..... Been there for a while, considering how much rust is on there.:rolleyes:

[sflrainmaker01]

Underhood looks like a barn find.

Kinda was. Thanks for noticing.

[justbob]

I just now noticed your alarm. I bet 6 bucks and my left nut it is a motion/tilt sensor.


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[RF Overlord]

I'll raise you to $8...

[SC Cheesehead]

I'll raise you to $8...

eightfiddy....

[Haggis]

eightfiddyfife

[sflrainmaker01]

I just now noticed your alarm. I bet 6 bucks and my left nut it is a motion/tilt sensor.


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.


Good guess! :up: You had alot riding on that one! :D I was gonna ditch that alarm anyway! Doesn't the car have some sort of factory alarm or should that be a whole 'nother thread?

[RF Overlord]

Doesn't the car have some sort of factory alarm or should that be a whole 'nother thread?No. Unless you have a dealer-installed one, the car only has PATS.

[RoyLPita]

See if there is a mount under the hood near the hinge. Maybe the screws rusted off.

[Spectragod]

I just now noticed your alarm. I bet 6 bucks and my left nut it is a motion/tilt sensor.


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Yep, for either an aftermarket alarm or an autostart.

[SC Cheesehead]

eightfiddyfife

ninebuck, final offer...

[Haggis]

ninebuck, final offer...

ninetwantyfife

[sflrainmaker01]

No. Unless you have a dealer-installed one, the car only has PATS.

There is a blinking light on the top of the dash in the driver's side corner. That is not factory? Because, there is also another blinking light on the dash kinda under the traction control area. I know that one is aftermarket. I found out why the horns are disconnected now! :rolleyes::P

[RF Overlord]

There is a blinking light on the top of the dash in the driver's side corner. That is not factory? Yes, that's factory, but it's not an alarm system. All it does is indicate that the PATS is working or if it has been triggered.

[sflrainmaker01]

Yes, that's factory, but it's not an alarm system. All it does is indicate that the PATS is working or if it has been triggered.

So, what triggers it? Right now the horn is disconnected because I don't have a remote to open and lock doors. Every time I open the door with the key, it triggers the alarm (I am guessing not the factory thing).

[justbob]

Triggers the PATS system? Your chipped keys. Without them no start. As for your doors, that would be your added alarm.

What's funnier is my POS six year older Escort has pretty much the same buttons on the fob and if you hit the lock button once the doors lock, hit it twice and the doors lock and horn signals (like ours). Try to unlock with the key, HELLO alarm!


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[License2Bill]

Triggers the PATS system? Your chipped keys. Without them no start. As for your doors, that would be your added alarm.

What's funnier is my POS six year older Escort has pretty much the same buttons on the fob and if you hit the lock button once the doors lock, hit it twice and the doors lock and horn signals (like ours). Try to unlock with the key, HELLO alarm!


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Weird. When I click mine to lock it once, the horn honks still

[justbob]

Weird. When I click mine to lock it once, the horn honks still

Your Escort? That's what I was referencing.


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[License2Bill]

Your Escort? That's what I was referencing.


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Disregard. I was reading too fast and misinterpreted what you meant.

[RF Overlord]

As justbob said, all the PATS does is monitor for the correct chipped key. If you try to use one that isn't correct (or is blank) it triggers the system and locks out the injectors, so the car will crank, but not start. This also causes the PATS light on the dash to blink fast, indicating the system is in anti-theft mode.

PATS does nothing with the horn or the lights, nor will it indicate an intrusion attempt...it just keeps the car from starting if the wrong key is used.

[justbob]

As justbob said, all the PATS does is monitor for the correct chipped key. If you try to use one that isn't correct (or is blank) it triggers the system and locks out the injectors, so the car will crank, but not start. This also causes the PATS light on the dash to blink fast, indicating the system is in anti-theft mode.

PATS does nothing with the horn or the lights, nor will it indicate an intrusion attempt...it just keeps the car from starting if the wrong key is used.

Correct on most, mine is an earlier set up that doesn't, errr didn't I should say, allow a crank as well.

I found this out one cold rainy night picking up my kids from my mothers probably three years ago. With no warning whatsoever my key simply died? Not even thinking of the PATS I managed to get my arm down to the starter with a screw driver and crank it to no avail. That's when the lightbulb went off on my head. Borrowed my mothers car and drove home to get Melanie's key, sure enough it fired right up..

PATS- Gone, and not missed..


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.