what's in the box?

[bill tomlinson]

under my '89 gw trying to get the spare tire loose. found a 3"x4"x8" plastic box bolted to the rear crossmember. one branch of the wiring harness goes into it. too lazy that night to take it apart and look inside. any help what it is? Automatic rust remover?
push-button parts locator? homing beacon?

[jeepguzzi]

That's a hillbilly tracking device. The gov'ment likes to keep track :D
My Pa has one on every vehicle :D :D ;)

[Ralph]

Could be a trailer harness.

[ClarkGriswald]

Yeah , I think all the later models were equipped with "fun limiters".. mabye thats what that is.

[andy d]

what ever you do ,dont take it apart!

[Bignblue]

Be cool...slowly back away and don't turn around until you're at least 8' away from the rear of the vehicle. No kidding on this: I have it from a good source that the box you noticed is a brain-wave monitor that Jeep installed at the behest of the EPA. It tracks levels of dopamine and serotonin in an effort to determine the average Jeep owner's frustration level. If dopamine levels are high (indicating a general good humor and positive outlook on life, Jeeps and everything) the box's installed threshold is tripped and something on the FSJ breaks. This cycle repeats itself until either A)the Jeep owner has a nervous breakdown and walks around muttering to him/herself and flinching at sudden sounds or movement; or B)the Jeep in question is rebuilt piece-by-piece. Once the latter stage is reached, the vehicle abruptly ceases all operation until it can returned to the dealer or authorized government agency (Superlube, if you were wondering--it's very hush-hush) and a new brainwave module is installed. At that point, the cycle begins anew.

Please, PLEASE don't tell anybody where you heard about this. I've only recently unscrambled my brain chemistry that was gullywhumped from exposure to an earlier (1978-ish) version of the device. That particular model was not as well shielded, and suffered from voltage spikes that could send broadcast power levels to such a strength that actual neurons could be heard screaming in agony. That sensation was experienced as a general low-level buzzing at or around the occipital lobes, accompanied by a strong and sudden sense of heat in the temples. Animal research in the early 80s at MIT eliminated almost all traces of this flux problem, but Chryco's faulty quality control practices at the time allowed some substandard monitors to reach the market.

I will let you know if I can determine a way to remove the device, or at least negate its effects on the human brain. Stay tuned...

[Tripwire]

That box contains Relays that are used to power the turn signals and brake lights for the Towing circuits - If you crawl under the jeep and have someone step on the Brakes or activate the turn signals you will hear the relays "click" as they operate - so if your brakes and turn signals on your wagonner operate normaly but the lights on the vehicle under tow are defective - thats a good place to start looking. Mine suffer from corrosion problems occasionally. Also, its a good place to splice in a auxillary Back up light

[JINGA]

It is the shrine of the Jeep Gods. Do not disturb.

Leave offerings of lots of cash and plenty of fluids/spare parts.

:rolleyes:

[Bob Barry]

Speaking of this box, anybody know of a source for replacement relays? I'm assuming that Jeep pirated the relays from some other application, so there may still be a chance of getting replacements. I've got a spare box in which the relays are very corroded, but I'd like to hook it up to my Cherokee. Nice thing is, it plugs directly into the factory taillight harness with no cutting or splicing.

BTW, this is a pretty cool set of relays. After sitting there on my '88 Grand Wagoneer unused for about 11 years, they popped right to life the first time I hauled a trailer and hooked up the lights.

[jeepguzzi]

gullywhumped

I just LOVE it when a Jeeper gets an edjemacation!!! tongue.gif tongue.gif :D

[OBX-AUTOMOTIVE]

MR BIGNBLUE..................... PLEASE DON'T STOP NOW!!!!....... I WAS JUST MESMIRIZED!!!........ .....ME!!! :eek: :rolleyes:

[Slippery]

Relays?!? We don't need no steenking relays!!! Or fuses, for that matter. Everything works fine wired direct. Just ask any current/former VW Rabbit owner! :rolleyes:

[ClarkGriswald]

Bignblue, didnt the last years of that box also utilize a prototype wallet level sensor?

[bill tomlinson]

:D thanks, guys... I shouda known what i was letting myself in for by posting that one. after scraping off the dirt, found an inscription reading "Pandora". PO's have THREE (besides the original) trailer hookups
kluged up under there. when i get the extra pounds of wire out, i may not need new springs!

[David Simon]

Bill, you're lucky to have time to mess with the spare tire. I still haven't made it out of the engine compartment yet.

Bignblue, you should write books or movies with that imagination. You had me believing your story by the second paragraph.

David

[Slippery]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by David Simon:
Bill, you're lucky to have time to mess with the spare tire. I still haven't made it out of the engine compartment yet.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hear, hear!

Hmmmmm...I wonder if I even have a spare? :rolleyes: