Wiring Diagram / Options Rantings

[Trainmaster]

There was a time when Ford's wiring diagrams showed us exactly what wiring was included in different trim level cars. Back in the day's you'd pull off a dash panel and the connectors for the next level trim's options were waiting you to plug in a switch. Or the manual was labeled "XLT Only". So much has changed.

Now it seems that the lower (base) models have stripped harnesses without wiring for anything not included from the factory. Even if the connectors are there, the unused pins and wires are missing.

The worst part is that the wiring diagrams only show the complete "high trim" version, so even after searching the 950-page book to find the right pages, you still have no clue what is actually inside your steel-wheeled poverty-truck that's parked outside.

If that's not enough work to figure, the unused option circuits are usually disabled in one of the fifty modules and you have to play with Forscan for hours after running the missing wires and plucking the missing pins hoping to get a module to wake up to the new addition.

Maybe this is just a rant, but I'd appreciate some comments and maybe constructive help for like minded people who've spent many years with auto electrical work...

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[tsigwing]

There was a time when Ford's wiring diagrams showed us exactly what wiring was included in different trim level cars. Back in the day's you'd pull off a dash panel and the connectors for the next level trim's options were waiting you to plug in a switch. Or the manual was labeled "XLT Only". So much has changed.

Now it seems that the lower (base) models have stripped harnesses without wiring for anything not included from the factory. Even if the connectors are there, the unused pins and wires are missing.

The worst part is that the wiring diagrams only show the complete "high trim" version, so even after searching the 950-page book to find the right pages, you still have no clue what is actually inside your steel-wheeled poverty-truck that's parked outside.

If that's not enough work to figure, the unused option circuits are usually disabled in one of the fifty modules and you have to play with Forscan for hours after running the missing wires and plucking the missing pins hoping to get a module to wake up to the new addition.

Maybe this is just a rant, but I'd appreciate some comments and maybe constructive help for like minded people who've spent many years with auto electrical work...

Rant indeed. Help with what?

 

[Retired#One]

I agree. It certainly seems that way. And don’t get me started on how much Ford wants for a connector. Sometimes more than $200 for a molded piece of plastic. Makes me wonder how profitable a black market for automotive connectors would be.

 

[Trainmaster]

...help with figuring out a way, through documentation of knowing what wiring is and isn't included in a particular car. The manuals certainly don't tell anymore. It would be very helpful for those who do their own wiring or wish to modify unused electrical hardware for other tasks.

For example: Hooking up aftermarket fog lights to the lighting module and plugging in an equipped OEM fog lamp switch.

Valuable information for the trade that upfits police vehicles, instead of adding all new wiring as the do today...

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