Hood switch is what?

[richardgoesfast]

My 70 has this little contact switch that the hood presses down when closed. Someone must have moved wiring to it ages ago.
Is this something that came from factory? I was thinking maybe this set off an idiot light on one of the gauges when hood wasn't latched. Then again, this car is so simple, not sure it would even have something like this.
Also you can see this is original paint under the hood and you can see it's all scratched up from someone wrenching it I'm guessing. Which leads me to think maybe this was an after market install.
If anyone knows what this is please shout it out.

 

[quikbird]

Never saw one before. It is definitely added on. No idea what for

 

[RAINMANYEH]

Maybe some kind of contact switch connected to an idiot light inside to let you know the hood wasn’t completely closed? Any sign of an idiot light inside or where one might have been?

Or possibly it had an alarm system at one time and that was connected to it.

 

[richardgoesfast]

Thanks for the input. Maybe someone rigged it up a couple decades ago as part of a DIY warning light or something. Good to know so I can remove this crazy thing cause it doesn't belong.

 

[richardgoesfast]

Maybe some kind of contact switch connected to an idiot light inside to let you know the hood wasn’t completely closed? Any sign of an idiot light inside or where one might have been?

Or possibly it had an alarm system at one time and that was connected to it.

 

[richardgoesfast]

Alarm system! That must be it. There is another switched like this installed on driver's door. It is right next to the switch that turns on courtesy lights when door is opened. Didn't know why that would be there either. This makes sense now, someone had an alarm system for engine, and also to access car. Thanks Rainmanyeh. Cool.

 

[RAINMANYEH]

 

[69hemibeep]

I would say alarm

 

[Roadcuda]

My guess would be an under hood light. Is there any sign of one having been on the hood somewhere?

 

[richardgoesfast]

Underneath the hood looks virgin to me. I don't see any holes or anything that might indicate a light was installed at some point. I am tending to think this is an old alarm switch, though with a 383, I'm not sure why it would be under the hood, as there is an identical switch on the door jamb, which makes more sense. If it was a 440 or Hemi I could see the under hood switch making more sense, cause someone might want the carbs, but I don't know anything about alarm systems so. . .

 

[RAINMANYEH]

It still might be an alarm... Keep someone from stealing the entire car.

 

[Russ69Runner]

First thought was a hood light so you could see under the hood. But after seeing one on the door jamb then it thend's to lead to a car alarm of some sort. Those awful sounding alarms that get ripped out and the car is gone any way's.

 

[richardgoesfast]

First thought was a hood light so you could see under the hood. But after seeing one on the door jamb then it thend's to lead to a car alarm of some sort. Those awful sounding alarms that get ripped out and the car is gone any way's.

 

[richardgoesfast]

Haha, right the car be gone. . . anyway! Yup, pretty sure that was alarm trip. I haven't checked passenger door, but probably one there, too, I would guess.

 

[Russ69Runner]

The way to day is put one of those positive battery switches on the car then we use to put a toggle switch under the dash for the ignition.

 

[richardgoesfast]

Aha moment maybe. After reading about a toggle under dash I went out and looked under dash. Toggle switch. . . ! See photo. On right is a ground that has been cut off. And to left is a black wire, pretty heavy duty gauge, also cut off. Yeah, and the emergency brake light is loose, trying to get that back onboard. I'm guessing the black wire goes to disconnect batt?

 

[Russ69Runner]

That could be it. Dose the car start and run now. I see something taped off by the dash blub is it two wires wing nutted together. If you take them apart then the car will not start is that rite. That could be it.

 

[richardgoesfast]

The car starts and runs no problem. You are right, that taped up wire is two wires twisted together. I didn't realize that would keep the car from running, if you take them apart, but that makes total sense now. I'm going to trace where this wire leads through the firewall. Thanks for demystifying all this. Big help.

 

[Russ69Runner]

We did hide that switch a little better than it being exposed. Like on an L shaped bracket under the dash so you could not see it or feel it by running you hand under their. Only the owner knew where it was. Has seen some in the glove box but did not like that location my self. Liked it near the driver's side.

 

[richardgoesfast]

Prowling around under dash I found another mystery. See photo of electrical connector that someone put a white wire jumper. I have no idea wtf this is. If anyone has an idea let me know. Maybe something with the now gone alarm system. No clue.