Here's a something that will make you pick your brain: Weird button under dash

[t0x1k]

Ok, have a 94 ranger.
Every time I'm under the dash to run a wire I always wonder what this little white button does. It's connected to a rubber hose and I think goes to the vacuum line that comes out of the cruise control module.

I'm just curious, it's odd.

 

[nine-teen91stxranger]

 

[baddis]

sounds like the shut off switch for the cruise control or brake light switch

 

[dugga4life]

it is the dead break on the cruise i have the same truck.

 

[t0x1k]

But what activates it? Nothing comes in contact with it to push it...

 

[03ranger4x4]

that button that is on the end of the rubber hose is for the cruise control. Your truck is old enough that the were still using the vacuum acuated cruise control modules, and this button is a sort of safety net for the whole system.

Bascially if there was ever an instance where the cruise control module didnt get the 12 volts from the brake switch to tell it to let off the gas when you applied the brake, this button gets depressed to mechanically disable the cruise control. It does this by breaking the vacuum within the module itself. it SHOULD be mounted in a position to be depressed by the brake pedal. Thats how it was set up on my old bronco II and it was the factory configuration. Yours may have come loose or been tampered with by a previous owner.




Now if only lexus thought of this....

 

[t0x1k]

Its not even remotely close to the brake. Maybe if I had a clutch pedal, it would be.

That's pull out all the way too.

Ps, it was also like this on my previous ranger.

 

[doorgunner]

maybe it's just left over from a factory upgrade....my '89 has a black one over the brake pedal...somebody may have removed the bracket that makes contact with it???????

 

[t0x1k]

maybe it's just left over from a factory upgrade....my '89 has a black one over the brake pedal...somebody may have removed the bracket that makes contact with it???????

On two different rangers? Same years, same engines, same body type, same options, just 4x4 vs 4x2.