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Extended Idle Switch

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Old 01-22-2015, 12:52 PM
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Default Extended Idle Switch

Hey guys,

So I've been poking around for information on the Extended Idle switch for 97+ Jeep XJs. I have found a lot of information, and finally, after about 2 years of searching, I found on on Ebay and bought it (lucky I guess).



Now it looks like my Jeep doesn't come equipped with the plug for this switch, but the Ebay seller was nice enough to include part of the connector for me:



Now here's the thing. After extensive research, I found this thread here:

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/e...actory-610688/

The thread references the XJ FSM, which notes:

To do it yourself, simply check your specific year wiring diagram ( i checked mainly 93-98), and my 96, get a factory rocker switch from junkyard or parts store, one side gets wired to a ground, the other to pin A12 going to the ECU. That's it. the ECU will take care of the rest .
So my question is, there are 4 wires coming off of that switch. Which ones have to go to A12 and which ones have to go to ground? And more importantly, where is A12?

Thanks to anyone who has input on this!
Old 01-22-2015, 01:17 PM
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I don't get it, what is the point of this switch other than police use?
Old 01-22-2015, 02:31 PM
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My guess would be orange to A12 and black to ground. May have to hook up ground, turn switch on, and test each wire.
I know someone has used a factory switch for the extended idle, so do some searching on here, jeepforum and google.

The extended idle bumps your idle up to around 1,000 rpm's in park and neutral, when toggled on. Comes in handy in the north east winters, warms XJ up faster, helps take the load off the battery when winching and if you run off road lights or heavy electrical draw items, it helps when you stop and idle for any length of time.

I have it on mine, in michigan winters my XJ warms up alot faster.


http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums...e-switch/page3
Half way down, how 1 guy wired 4 wire plug.

A12 will be on the plug closest to front of XJ, 2nd row down, left side,(when you unplug it each connector is marked, may need magnifier) should be a grey wire, just tap into it with a connector, don't cut it in 2.

Last edited by Little Red XJ; 01-22-2015 at 03:56 PM.
Old 01-22-2015, 09:31 PM
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I just got this done today...

OMG what a pain in the ***!

Black wire went to black wire in the foglight harness, orange wire went to orange wire in the foglight harness, blue wire with white stripe went to the blue wire with the white stripe in the AC/Heater power line, and the gray wire went to the gray wire in the computer, which was cut in half – one half gets grounded to the body while the other half goes into the computer.

Everything works! Woo!

Will post pictures of my crimped/rednecked installation tomorrow.
Old 01-22-2015, 09:36 PM
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Originally Posted by thatXJguy
I just got this done today... OMG what a pain in the ***! Black wire went to black wire in the foglight harness, orange wire went to orange wire in the foglight harness, blue wire with white stripe went to the blue wire with the white stripe in the AC/Heater power line, and the gray wire went to the gray wire in the computer, which was cut in half – one half gets grounded to the body while the other half goes into the computer. Everything works! Woo! Will post pictures of my crimped/rednecked installation tomorrow.
¿Qué?
Old 01-22-2015, 09:54 PM
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I used a simple toggle switch, ground on switch to ground, power on switch gets spliced into A12.

If anyone wants a simpler method.
Old 01-22-2015, 10:27 PM
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The colored wires I'm referring to are on the pigtail in my original post in this thread.

I had to tap into a lot of factory wires to make this work. I'll have pictures tomorrow when it's light outside.
Old 01-22-2015, 10:32 PM
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what does tapping into hcac and fogs do
Old 01-22-2015, 10:49 PM
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Originally Posted by mnewxcv
what does tapping into hcac and fogs do
Well, the Foglight switch pigtail was already in my Jeep. so used the power and ground from that pigtail to power the lights inside of the EXT idle switch.

I used the switched power from HVAC to power the switch since the foglight switch power only works when high beams are off.

The final wire went through the firewall and into the computer's 12th pin.
Old 01-23-2015, 07:03 AM
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Originally Posted by thatXJguy
Well, the Foglight switch pigtail was already in my Jeep. so used the power and ground from that pigtail to power the lights inside of the EXT idle switch.

I used the switched power from HVAC to power the switch since the foglight switch power only works when high beams are off.

The final wire went through the firewall and into the computer's 12th pin.
Do a write-up, why dontcha?
Old 01-23-2015, 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by cruiser54
Do a write-up, why dontcha?

Good idea, will start getting pictures today now that it's sunny
Old 01-23-2015, 02:07 PM
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Here are the requested installation pictures!




Old 01-23-2015, 02:43 PM
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I just wrote up a guide on this, just waiting for Cruiser to approve it .
Old 01-23-2015, 05:07 PM
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Dang looks clean. And I thought it'd look pretty cool if I had 3 switches in that cluster, and you have four. Lucky haha
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