Stand Alone Switch

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2017 Jeep Cherokee. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The plunger of the optional stand alone hood ajar switch is actuated by the underside of the hood panel inner reinforcement as the hood panel is closed. When the hood is closed and properly latched, the hood ajar switch is an open circuit. When the hood is open or only partially latched, the hood ajar switch is a closed circuit. The switch has a 1 kilohm diagnostic resistor connected in parallel to the switch contacts located between the two switch terminals. The stand alone hood ajar switch is hard-wired in series between a return circuit and a signal circuit of the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).

The PCM reads the hard-wired hood ajar switch input through an internal pull-up resistor, then uses this input to control certain features of the Engine Stop-Start (ESS) system. The PCM may also send electronic hood ajar switch status messages to other electronic modules in the vehicle over the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus.

The stand alone hood ajar switch as well as the hard-wired inputs and outputs of the switch may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information.