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Electrical Master kill switch

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mr.Kelley
  • Start date Start date Aug 31, 2022

Mr.Kelley

Active Member
Aug 9, 2019
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San Diego Ca
Aug 31, 2022
#1
  • Aug 31, 2022
  • #1
I have to install a master kill switch to race at the local 1/8 mile. I am cencerned about the constant feed to the ECU. Will cutting power effect that.
 

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands
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Mar 2, 2015
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Sep 1, 2022
#2
  • Sep 1, 2022
  • #2
Shouldn't bother anything. It's just like disconnecting the battery. A stock computer will clear codes and reset but driving won't change. If there is a chip it has its own memory and will be OK. My megasquirt mspnp2 isn't bothered by disconnecting the battery. If you have a radio, it will loose memory.
 

Mr.Kelley

Active Member
Aug 9, 2019
194
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San Diego Ca
Sep 2, 2022
#3
  • Sep 2, 2022
  • #3
Thanks
 

96pushrod

I think they're a little easier to get off
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May 15, 2018
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Savannah
Sep 2, 2022
#4
  • Sep 2, 2022
  • #4
it’s not like you’ll be constantly switching the kill switch on and off. Cutting power won’t hurt anything though.
 

Mr.Kelley

Active Member
Aug 9, 2019
194
117
53
San Diego Ca
Sep 2, 2022
#5
  • Sep 2, 2022
  • #5
I think I'll make a short key with a screw driver slot to keep it on but discreet and rain capped for daily driving and just stick the big red key in on race days.
 
Reactions: 90sickfox and General karthief

2000xp8

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Aug 8, 2003
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Sep 4, 2022
#6
  • Sep 4, 2022
  • #6
Most guys have the cutoff switch in the license plate frame area. If you o ring it, water shouldn't go in because it's covered by the hatch.
I keep mine shut off at all times and probably have for the last 20 years. Makes your battery last for what seems like forever.
Only downside is that none of my stereos would hold their setttings.
 
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jrichker

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#7
  • Sep 4, 2022
  • #7
Mr.Kelley said:
I have to install a master kill switch to race at the local 1/8 mile. I am cencerned about the constant feed to the ECU. Will cutting power effect that.
Click to expand...

Rear mounted battery wiring recommendations

For a battery cut off switch, see https://www.moroso.com/catalog/pro...rnator-disconnect-switch74108/category/3114/
is the switch
https://www.moroso.com/pub/media/instructions/74108_instweb.pdf is the installation instructions.

Switch picture...

Use the super duty switch and the following tech note to wire it and you will be good to go.

Use the Moroso plan for the alternator wiring and you risk a fire. The 10 gauge wire they recommend is even less adequate that the stock Mustang wiring.

There is a solution, but it will require about 40' of 18 gauge green wire.

Wire the battery to the two 1/2" posts as shown in the diagram.

The alternator requires a different approach. On the small alternator plug there is a green wire. It is the sense lead that turns the regulator on when the ignition switch is in the run position. Cut the green wire and solder the 40' of green wire between the two pieces. Use some heat shrink to cover the splices. See http://fordfuelinjection.com/?p=7 for some excellent help on soldering & using heat shrink tubing.

Run the green wire back to the Moroso switch and cut off the excess wire. Try to run the green wire inside the car and protect it from getting cut or chaffed. Crimp a 18 gauge ring terminal (red is 18 gauge color code for the crimp on terminals) on each wire. Bolt one ring terminal to each of the 3/16" studs. Do not add the jumper between the 1/2" stud and the 3/16" stud as shown it the
Moroso diagram.

How it works:
The green wire is the ignition on sense feed to the regulator. It supplies a turn on signal to the regulator when the ignition switch is in the Run position. Turn the Moroso switch to off, and the sense voltage goes away, the voltage regulator shuts off and the alternator quits making power.

The fuse & wiring in the following diagram are for a 3G alternator. The stock alternator uses a dark green fuse link wire that connects to 2 black/orange wires. Always leave them connected to the starter solenoid even if you have a 3G alternator.





Rear mounted battery ground wiring. Follow this plan and you will have zero
ground problems.


One 1 gauge or 1/0 gauge wire from battery negative post to a clean shiny spot on the chassis near the battery. Use a 5/16” bolt and bolt it down to make the rear ground. Use a 1 gauge or 1/0 gauge wire from the rear ground bolt to a clean shiny spot on the block.

One 4 gauge wire from the block where you connected the battery ground wire to the chassis ground where the battery was mounted up front. Use a 5/16” bolt and bolt down the 4 gauge engine to chassis ground, make sure that it the metal around the bolt is clean & shiny. This is the alternator power ground.




The computer has a dedicated power ground wire with a cylindrical quick connect (about 2 ½”long by 1” diameter. It comes out of the wiring harness near the ignition coil & starter solenoid (or relay). Be sure to bolt it to the chassis ground in the same place as you bolted the alternator power ground. This is an absolute don’t overlook it item for EFI cars
Note: The quick disconnect may have fallen victim to damage or removal by a previous owner. However, it is still of utmost importance that the black/green wires have a high quality ground..

Picture courtesy timewarped1972

Crimp or even better, solder the lugs on the all the wire. The local auto stereo shop will have them if the auto parts store doesn't. Use some heat shrink tubing to cover the lugs and make things look nice.


See the following website for some help from Tmoss (diagram designer) & Stang&2Birds (website host) for help on 88-95 wiring
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/ Everyone should bookmark this site.

Ignition switch wiring
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/IgnitionSwitchWiring.gif

Fuel, alternator, A/C and ignition wiring
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/fuel-alt-links-ign-ac.gif

Complete computer, actuator & sensor wiring diagram for 88-91 Mass Air Mustangs
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/88-91_5.0_EEC_Wiring_Diagram.gif

Vacuum diagram 89-93 Mustangs
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/mustangFoxFordVacuumDiag
 
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