How to install a Mercury Tilt Switch

I'm having problem trying to get the mercury tilt switch to work at the hood.  Their are two wire coming out of the switch.  I ground one of the wire and the other I hook it up to the - hood trigger switch on the alarm.  when the hood is close the mercury do not touch the lead and when the hood is pop the mercury touch the lead, but the alarm doesn't go off.  Can someone explain to how this is suppose to work.  Thank

Your connections sound 100% correct.  For the sake of troubleshooting, test the wire that you connected to the hood trigger and make sure that the polatity changes when you open the hood.   This will ensure that the signal is at least operating correct.  If the polarity does not change, then the mercury switch may not be operating correctly and you may need to replace it.Trav