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Anybody know what this is under the dash

Old Jul 2, 2012 | 08:33 PM
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Anybody know what this is under the dash

Hello I have a part under the dash that stays warm to hot all the time even when I haven't started or driven the truck does anybody know what it is or what it does? It is about 1 1/2 inches long maybe 3/4 inch diameter aluminum
cylinder in the picture. A little left of the steering column. Kinda worried about a fire it gets so hot sometimes.
Attached Thumbnails Anybody know what this is under the dash-0702121725.jpg   Anybody know what this is under the dash-hot-piece-truck1.jpg  
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Old Jul 2, 2012 | 08:37 PM
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Looks like the power box for the halo light for the ignition housing to me. They do get very hot.
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Old Jul 3, 2012 | 12:24 AM
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Yup that's a timer for a courtesy light..ignition, door lamps etc. As Flatbed stated they generate heat and then convert that back into electricity for a few seconds to power a light or two.
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Old Jul 3, 2012 | 01:56 AM
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I've got that on mine but don't have a tilt column with the halo light or anything else on a timer.
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Old Jul 3, 2012 | 06:14 AM
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Ok thanks for the info I was wondering since it was always hot I thought something was wrong. I don't want my truck to catch on fire.
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Old Jul 3, 2012 | 09:51 PM
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Could also be the timer for the ABS and brake lights in the dash. Once it gets hot it shuts them off.
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Old Jul 4, 2012 | 01:06 AM
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Originally Posted by scot pa
Could also be the timer for the ABS and brake lights in the dash. Once it gets hot it shuts them off.
It's hot even with the ignition off.
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Old Jul 4, 2012 | 01:09 AM
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Originally Posted by jimbo486
It's hot even with the ignition off.
It's powered off the door jam switches. So as soon as you open the door it begins to store heat. it will reach a critical heat point though, and not get any hotter.
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Old Jul 4, 2012 | 01:37 AM
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So what courtesy lights or anything else is it wired to?
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Old Jul 4, 2012 | 07:40 AM
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Right in the middle of the page. Runs the key in lamp.

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Old Jul 4, 2012 | 09:31 AM
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Couldn't I eliminate the one in my truck then since I don't have the key-in or halo ring lamp? According to the above schematic, I don't see any other reason for it to be there.
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Old Jul 4, 2012 | 09:32 AM
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Unplug it and see if it breaks anything.

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Old Jul 4, 2012 | 10:57 AM
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Originally Posted by wannadiesel
Unplug it and see if it breaks anything.

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I like that idea. Well said.
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