2004 Thomas Freightliner FS65 vandalock relay location

colbypr

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Joined
Feb 3, 2021
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I have an 04 FS65, and I received the electrical wiring schematics from Thomas. I am attempting to disable the Vandalock starter interlock. The diagrams list a relay, but I cannot find it for the life of me. I have the rear door switch bypassed for the time being. The schematics don't indicate where the relay is kept.

None of the relays in the electrical compartment are labeled vandalock, and there doesn't appear to be any behind the panels either. I've dug around as much as I possibly can, and just can't find it. Does anyone know where the actual relay is? It appears its just a regular automotive 12v relay but its location is evading me. Thanks in advance.
 
Since you have the switch bypassed already, have you considered just keeping the circuit in place? My circuit is still active but bypasses the door switches (which are in my shed now anyways); I'm going to have a number of things in my build that will need to be properly secured before I drive anywhere (like a folding desk that hangs from the ceiling but will need to be folded down against the wall while driving), and I'm going to re-run the interlock circuit through sensors on these things.
 
That was a suggestion a friend made as well, however, the ground is attached to a wall. So I either have to find a way to ground it behind the wall, or leave it grounded where it is and find a way to cover it up.


However, after much pouring over my electrical schematic provided by Thomas, it appears this Vandalock system may actually ground a wire from the chassis that causes the no start condition (if my understanding of the relay is correct). It appears pin 30 of the relay is connected to ground, and pin 5 from connector J6 on board 1 is connected to ground via pin 87a on the relay. In the relay, pin 87a is connected to 30 at all times until the ground signal from the rear door vandalock switch is completed (in this case, the door is UNLOCKED), at which time, pin 5 of J6 is disconnected from ground and allows the bus to start. I think, anyways. I will find out later, as I plan to pull the yellow wire out of J6 on pin 5 and see if I can start the bus with the vandalock connection in the rear not connected to ground.
 
I have an 04 FS65, and I received the electrical wiring schematics from Thomas. I am attempting to disable the Vandalock starter interlock. The diagrams list a relay, but I cannot find it for the life of me. I have the rear door switch bypassed for the time being. The schematics don't indicate where the relay is kept.

None of the relays in the electrical compartment are labeled vandalock, and there doesn't appear to be any behind the panels either. I've dug around as much as I possibly can, and just can't find it. Does anyone know where the actual relay is? It appears its just a regular automotive 12v relay but its location is evading me. Thanks in advance.

How did you contact them to receive your wiring schematics?
 

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