The hoods on most Jeep Wranglers are held in place by external latches. If you use your Jeep as a daily driver, you may want some extra protection to limit access to your engine compartment by potential thieves or vandals. An electronic hood latch (figure A) holds the hood down by means of a retractable cable. It is released by means of a button (figure B) that's mounted inside the vehicle. With the system installed, the hood can be opened only if the button inside the passenger compartment has been depressed. Thirty seconds after the button has been pushed, the latch automatically reengages, locking the hood back down again. In the event of a dead battery, there is a secret emergency-release cable that can be concealed but is accessible from outside the vehicle -- such as inside a wheel well. In addition to Jeeps, these latches can be installed on any vehicle to provide an extra measure of security. In this demonstration, we install an electronic hood latch on a 1999 Jeep Wrangler. Safety: As in all automotive projects that involve electrical wiring, to avoid vehicle damage or injury, disconnect the vehicle's negative battery cable before you begin. Materials: Hood-latch installation kit, including wiring and mounting hardware
Vehicle service manual
Cordless drill
Socket wrench
Screwdriver, Phillips head - The latch installs underneath the hood by means of a mounting bracket. You'll need to identify a suitable location for placement of the bracket, and then drill holes (figure C) that will be used to bolt the bracket in place (figure D).
- With the mounting bracket in place, position the locking device and secure it with the mounting hardware that comes in the kit (figure E).
- The top end of the cable will be connected to the underneath side of the hood by means of a hook mounted on the hood prop. You'll need to temporarily remove the hood prop and its base plate in order to drill a hole in the base plate and secure the hook (figure F).
- With the hood prop reinstalled, fasten the cable to the hook according to the manufacturer's instructions (figure G).
- Feed the emergency release cable through a hole in the wheel well (figure H) so the end of the cable is accessible from outside the vehicle.
- With the vehicle's negative battery cable disconnected, proceed to the installation of the control button inside the vehicle and wiring of the system. You'll need to remove the trim panel beneath the steering wheel so that you can drill a small hole to accommodate the button, and so that you can find a suitable connection for the ground wire (figure I).
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions to wire the system to the ignition's constant power source. You'll need constant power to the latch system so that the latch can be released whether or not the vehicle's ignition is turned on.
- Before reinstalling the trim panel and completing the job, reattach the vehicle's battery cable and test the system. After pushing the button, you've got 30 seconds to get out of the vehicle and raise the hood (figure J). When you close the hood, the latch should automatically reengage and lock down the hood.
Note: Since installation of this electronic latch involves working with some of the vehicle's electrical wiring, carefully read and follow all installation instructions and wiring diagrams that come with your kit. Installations may differ according to the brand and the individual vehicle. In addition to the instructions that come with the kit, you'll need to consult your vehicle's service manual for the location of factory wiring you'll need to access. The steps described above are the basic steps in the installation as performed in our demonstration.
RESOURCES :
Vehicles provided by McNelly-Whaley Ford Lincoln Mercury
750 Dolly Parton Parkway
Sevierville, TN 37862
Phone: 865-453-2833
Web site: www.ford4u.com
Electronic hood-lock from Winner International©
Electronic hood-lock/hood immobilizer from:
Winner International LLC
32 West State Street
Sharon, PA 16146
Phone: 724-981-1152
Toll-free: 800-527-3345
Web site: www.winner-intl.com
or,
Web site: www.theclub.com
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