Pin switch and mercury switch

Im trying to hook up a mercury switch on the hood and a pin switch on the trunk. The alarm is a viper 690. I hooked up the mercury switch and had it working then i did the pin switch and now neither work. I cut the wire on the pin switch and the mercury switch still doesn't work. This is pissing me off. Its probably really simple. Do I need a diode to isolate them? If so how do I hook up the diode and which one? For the mercury switch does it matter how you hook it up as long as when you open the hood there is continuity between the two wires? Thanks for all the help!!!! This should be my last question. Clay G.

the mercury switch one side to ground the other side to - alarm input the trunk I would also use a mercury switch most pin switches do not last and you dont need diode to isolate them.     tom cat

ttt

I'm curious to see how the mercury switch works, I've always heard about them, but never worked with one. I installed 2 hood pin switches for the hood in 2 cars, and they both failed within 6 months. In my opinion, they suck for the hood. Maybe they're a little better for the trunk. I've always diode-isolated the hoodpin and trunk wire in the past, though, because I usually wind up hooking them up to the same input on the alarm. I use diodes because otherwise when I open the hood, the trunk light and indicator would go on.Q: What's the best nation in the world?

A: Donation!     Donate to the12volt.com      

Before you install the pin switches, use a lithium grease or bearing grease on the threads and the male spade connector to help against corrosion. 9 out of 10 times the hood pin fails because the connector and the pin itself gets corrosion and it breaks off.Jeff

Velocity Custom Home Theater

Mobile Audio/Video Specialist

Morden, Manitoba CANADA

Or customer that fix on thier car all the time they slam the hood or trunks down. Most installers I work with don't use them because the shock sensor usually picks up that much impact. But if the customers wants it I guess it is a good thing. If you are using a DEI alarm I would use the instant trigger wire to hook up both trunk, and hood. Like someone said previously just diode isolate it  so the alarm brain doesn't get "confused."~The Rookie~

Rookie of the year that is...

Don't let the smoke out of your equiptment..it doesn't go back in.

if you can get the mercury switches that are clear, not the black ones, they are great, but you must use dielectric grease on all outside connections or you will get corrosion and you'll be chasing problems. never use pin switches, they suck!

also location of mercury switch is important when parke don hill car wont start because viper thinks teh hood is open!

Clay G,

rckid wrote: Do I need a diode to isolate them?

Yes . . .

rckid wrote: If so how do I hook up the diode

Striped side (anode) of the diode faces the switch.

rckid wrote: and which one?

Any 1N4001 - to - 1N4007 one amp diode will do. For your general information, the 1N4001 has a 50 volt rating, and the extreme end of that family is rated at 1000 volts.

rckid wrote: For the mercury switch does it matter how you hook it up as long as when you open the hood there is continuity between the two wires?

The mounting location is more important. I hope you have affixed the device so as the attack angle is immediate upon the hoods elevation. Regards EVIL Teken . . .

I just put in 2 1N4001 diodes the way you said to and it still doesnt work. When i arm it the remote says everything is ok. While its armed and I open the hood or trunk nothing happends. Then everything is closed and I disarm the alarm the remote says the hood or trunk is open and the sensor is going off. Whats the problem. I have the switches hooked up right. On the pin switch I have the ground part hooked up to ground with a wire and the trigger wire hooked up to the end of the switch with a male connector. The diode is connected with the stripe tward the switch. The mercury switch is connected with the black wire to ground and the red to the same trigger wire from the alarm that the trunk is hooded to. I put a diode in the red wire with the stripe toward the switch. I have the mercury switch set up so when the hood opens, the red wire had continuity to ground. Anything sound wrong? I think its right. Thanks, Clay