FIXING The Federal Q2 SIREN That Costs As MUCH As My FIRETRUCK

I bought a 1977 Mack CF-600 from the Arcadia, KS fire department for $3,000. The Federal Q2 mechanical siren on it hasn't worked in at least 20 years. Today we're going to bring it back to life. I'm sure all fire truck aficionados will agree that the Q2 has to be there whether it's the mechanical or electronic version, it's just the classic fire truck sound. There are no diagrams for this thing but there is an install guide for the siren that's still in production today. We're gonna hop right in and start troubleshooting.
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Common Questions:
What motorcycle do I ride? A few. Ducati 1198, Honda Goldwing, Honda Grom, Honda Ruckus
What do I do for a living? Make KZbin videos.
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Why do you ride so dangerously? What do mean? I was doing 25.
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#FireEngine #MackTruck #FireTruck #oreillypowered

[@bluegem6559]

I’m a retired NY Fireman Captain. 9/11 first responder. Brings back so many memories. Love it. I’m so jealous. I want one too. Take good care of her.

[@klaasj7808]

how are your lungs?

[@lightsnmore6253]

Is it me or did they not pin the Q when he used the jumper cables? LOL

[@matthewamiri314]

Thank you for your service on that fateful day.

[@meme-xn6wr]

I wasn’t around when 9/11 happened, but thank you for your service anyway

[@k.krause1457]

Thank you for the service

[@itisjambo]

Hey there, just so you know - Engineer's side is the Driver side (engineer for the truck and pump) and the Officer's side is the Passenger side (referring to the fire officer, like a Captain or Lieutenant, who would ride shotgun)

[@jimwilloughby]

Jambo, I was going to say the same thing, but I decided to check comments first just in case. I'm a retired FF from Massachusetts so I know you are correct.

[@firerp3791]

it's not rocket science

[@user-kn3qq4he7u]

@@firerp3791 Who said it was?

[@adamf9000]

You can email the Mack truck museum and with your vin then will send you info on the truck it takes a few month to get it. They don’t charge for it but they do appreciate a donation.

[@davk90]

Yep I asked about 1925 mac and they had the info about whom , where and when it was bought .

[@chasewalter8915]

I’m sorry man, sometimes I can’t help myself. It’s just vin.. not vin number the n is number, vehicle identification number number, I know grammar police lol hope you have a good day

[@bkell1011]

Adam - you beat me to the suggestion!

[@danielsegreti4475]

@Chase Walter I gotta go to the atm machine to get some money to donate. 🤪

[@adamf9000]

@@chasewalter8915 lol it’s all good. 😂🤷🏻‍♂️.

[@zesweg6706]

Can’t image how long they’ve gone without that siren, while it was such an easy fix. But lucky for you! Good job

[@supertouring1]

I would have thought it's too important/crucial piece of equipment to left broken? People often ignore a firetruck with s siren blaring, let alone a firetruck that doesn't have a working siren? Or was the siren maybe the last item to fail that led the city to buy a newer firetruck?

[@IeeIee778]

@@supertouring1 more than likely that

[@RatherBeRestoring]

I knew I’d hear that siren quickly with you, that would have been the first thing I fixed too! I love that old school siren sound!

[@InsideOfMyOwnMind]

"Do you stock a siren solenoid for a 197x Mack fire truck?" "😀😁😂🤣😃😄😅"

[@jasonhenderson2001]

The look on your face when that siren went off was gold. So was the little girl’s reaction to the air horn. 🔥 🚒

[@rsprockets7846]

Best time of life as kid when your small town fire trucked raced down the street a 47 mack with there. Sirens wailing

[@TakuroSpirit77]

I giggled like a damn kid when that siren went off full blast. While at work.

[@corycollier]

grinnin' like an idiot here! NOTHING like the sound of a Q

[@shtopfl5247]

Dude that siren is awesome 😄

[@Smokezors]

I thought I'd hate this episode because whose ever going to own a firetruck, but John Ross goes back to the basics and helps us trace down electrical issues. Great episode!

[@mikescayenne]

The smile JR had after the siren initially worked was awesome, I love that feeling

[@themikeyfrisco]

Any guy who says the sound of that siren doesn’t hit him right in the childhood is lying! That thing is SOO cool!

[@klaasj7808]

my 4 year old son enjoys the sound and he has no memory of it when that stuff was used daily.

[@jeffatkerson1172]

I'm an old guy with some mechanical sense but you continue to amaze me! Best to you young man!

[@sunstorm9119]

Ah the good old "Q"..... The official song of Firefighters worldwide....

[@ditkafan1]

Also the official sound of hearing loss for many firefighters worldwide as well...

[@dahinsoncoj]

That and the Federal Signal PA-15 Director with the rooftop mounted CP-100 speaker! I've gotten really good at lip reading.

[@joenichols5253]

That Q2B sounds sweet

[@joenichols5253]

The right seat is the captains seat the engineer would be driving

[@jacobcrump6860]

More like firefighters in the US. They are only popular here in America.

[@billb8788]

I am a retired fire fighter love seeing the old Iron still running. Everyone loves a fire truck at Christmas I would dress as Santa and be driven to houses to give out Christmas presents. The kids loved the truck more than the presents..lol The adrenaline you get driving a fire truck to a call never gets old . Proud to have served prouder of those who continue to serve and protect us. Great job J.R

[@yeoldeseawitch]

that federal siren is a MONSTER and i love it!

[@worldofrandometry6912]

You'll have great fun with that truck at shows etc and taking it to schools etc. Kids will love it.

[@nlemonj]

Kids are loving it already - even in this video.

[@rsprockets7846]

Better yet put it to work register at a few film prop companies and rent it out for film and tv productions

[@jeffeastman625]

Siren/horn is to make your horn button on your steering wheel switch between the truck beep-beep and the electric siren.

[@WatchJRGo]

Yup, but it doesn't work at all 🍻

[@jeffeastman625]

Probably the horn button. The switch should have one wire to the button, one to the electric siren, and one to the beep-beep horn. All should chassis ground separately. The switch should be an on-on style.

[@DubWerks]

@@WatchJRGo Make sure the siren is in manual mode.

[@Dnice1541]

I don’t understand how this channel is still not at 1mm, never mind 300k. I feel like the last 25k have been a real slog! The content is really fun and frequent. No one deserves it more!

[@brantleyhudson2892]

It was fun watching you troubleshoot and find the issue! Nice work JR.

[@rescueteam6706]

Run down the road with that Q screaming and you'll soon understand why there is an intercom system!! :-D

[@saltyymannscustoms6989]

Even with the q air hor and hyper yelp running at the same time i have never used the firecom system

[@lettucecat5782]

@@saltyymannscustoms6989 Pardon?

[@rsprockets7846]

B prepared for a stiff fine

[@skmetal7]

WHAT?!?!

[@lettucecat5782]

@@skmetal7 Sorry cant hear you. I used to be a fireman with no ear defenders.

[@bmh67wa]

I want one of those sirens. That thing is badass!

[@stevegroark2034]

Nothing like the smile that a Q siren gives a man. :D

[@Nutzername1273]

I like how you methodically tested until you found the problem. It shows you have a very clear understanding of how far electrics work. Respect! :)

[@RichardFallstich]

I am an electrician and was an EMT with a rescue squad. I did a lot of electrical repairs and troubleshooting on our apparatus. We had an ambulance with a Federal Q2B mounted on an extended front bumper. It operated with a solenoid connected through a horn/siren switch on the console. It had used a Cole Hersee solenoid but the siren 'ate' them due to the high current draw - 100A+ @ 12V. I used a replacement from Prestolite Leece-Neville rated for 200A. Sadly, we had to junk that ambulance years ago. I miss that screaming siren. We did keep the "Q" but it sits in a storeroom collecting dust.

[@OG_DSM]

@2:19 😍😍 omg her expression is priceless.. She wasn't expecting that at all... Kids rock! I know mine do!

[@freedomwestfall4669]

I remember climbing on this truck in the fire station and riding on top for the festivals in town

[@ChefMcToastEM]

I’m a huge fire truck fanatic and I say... AWESOME VIDEO MAN KEEP IT UP!

[@martinezstephen]

That first siren blast was AWESOME! lol

[@karlvs2616]

"Bullwinkle The Fearless Firemoose" from my childhood Golden Book story would certainly be very proud of you!

[@windronner1]

Absurdly cool. Best grocery getter ever!! LoL. When I was a kid back in 80’s-90’s, I knew a guy who made a small fortune buying fire engines and old ambulances for export. 👍

[@mmoradiointeractive]

I learned how to operate the pump and valves (basic engineering), on a truck almost identical to that. Ours wasn't a 4 door. Open rear jump cab. Man those were the days

[@mjmcomputers]

Awesome siren!

[@_dmfd]

You should definetely annotate a headphone warning when the Detail Dude spins up the siren all the way... Cause that was absolutely wild lol

[@CallSignCosmic]

That wasn't even all the way haha

[@rudytarde828]

Lmao

[@CALVINLNIKONT]

If you were watching, the "detail dude" was the guy who connected the jumper cable to the battery so the siren would run and so I think he knows.

[@kgb4187]

@@CALVINLNIKONT The warning is for people watching the video, not the people in the video

[@_dmfd]

@@CALVINLNIKONT I'm talking about putting it up for someone wearing headphones. Not sure how you got that mixed up

[@michaelday6987]

I few months ago: "I just bought a huge building, I hope I can afford it" Now: "I bought a fire truck for $3k" I am guessing he is not struggling with the building payments.

[@ryanhacker9444]

Gotta spend money to make money. He needs to buy vehicles to create content to make money

[@12yearssober]

@Airfab 01 Quit being a cheapskate and get premium

[@thebrokenbolt3990]

@@12yearssober alright posh boy 🤣

[@Matt_Dagostino]

Good for him

[@mlindholm]

@Airfab 01 warning though, it's hard to go back to non-premium KZbin once you get a taste of the ad-free lifestyle.

[@ChiefsFireman]

Glad you got it fixed! Sounds amazing!

[@moodiblues2]

When you bought the fire truck I couldn’t figure out why. Then in this video I saw your wide grin while driving it and understood.

[@mikem1194]

What a GREAT, informative/educational, and entertaining video. This is a learning channel with fuel!

[@cruiser1398]

That is awesome. Love the loud siren! Great content. What a great choice of vehicle to toy around with!

[@rhiantaylor3446]

If the battery was very low on water you might want to check the charging voltage in case you have a problem that could kill the new batteries.

[@davidvincent1093]

It likely has a problem that is why they installed the siren box on the bumper. You are right they are crazy expensive. 1 of my engines has 2 of them and I looked for months to get replacements. Ebay is where you will find one but hold on to your wallet and be ready for sticker shock even used they go between $250 and $500

[@andrewzanas9387]

Guessing that's no siren, that's a Public Address System. In the wrong hands (??) Oh yeah, that def could become more dangerous than the horns and sirens.

[@AndrewAMartin]

@@andrewzanas9387 It's both an electronic siren and a PA.

[@andrewzanas9387]

@@AndrewAMartin No, the "it" sitting on the bumper is a PA. It may have been sold as a package deal together along with the siren mounted above it. They need both, but I seriously doubt they were designed to operate together simultaneously. I assume the purpose of the bum solenoid was to alternately turn one or the other of them on at a time.

[@dj33036]

"Horn switch on a lot of older cars" lol. It was used for the highbeams on your headlights.

[@SeanONeill13]

No. Those are latching switches. The siren one in momentary. Not the same at all

[@bryandepaepe5984]

The non clicking floor switches were on some heavy duty large trucks for the windshield washer fluid pump.

[@kimmer6]

The floor switch used to energize old starters and these were also used to start old Onan generator sets as they can take full current, hundreds of amps for a short time without a relay. The Q motor is very similar to an old 12 volt starter motor as used on 1960's V-8's..

[@Code3Indiana]

The Federal Signal PA200 is an awesome siren! Love the Q siren as well, I think the PA200 has "in-between" siren tones, when you get it all hooked up try putting the knob in between yelp and hi-lo and you should hear a tone!

[@va3xj]

Outstanding! Sounds beautiful! That would have been the first thing I fixed too 👍🏻

[@Bicketybam68]

I haven't watch this yet, but I can already tell... it's going to be a BLAST! /I'll see myself out.

[@BradColemanisHere]

That was great troubleshooting, JR. I love watching this sort of thing.

[@sheldonv8]

Love the sound of those sirens. . Had my honeymoon in NYC and stayed in the Casablanca Hotel with the fire house next to it. . Was so disappointed when there wasn't a single shout while we were there.

[@bobxxx5]

As someone whose knowledge of cars is pretty much limited to turning the ignition switch to "on", watching WatchJRGo is car-porn at its finest! I'm also invested in seeing this new mega-shop come together week by week! Endlessly fascinating!

[@johnjames2336]

Seat layout. Driver is the engineer or chauffeur, passenger side front is the Officer . Rear jump seats are firefighters. Good luck with the truck really cool

[@firefighter1971]

friendly correction: the driver is often known as the engineer and the passenger side front seat is the officer position. I'm not too sure about the back but I know there's the nozzle and backup and sometimes there's an extra seat but I don't know what that position would be called.

[@GEAUXFRUGAL]

Really cool that you're training people to trouble shoot their work.

[@NarxolepticCustoms]

That's crazy man!!!!! This thing is freaking amazing!!!

[@deepcreek03]

Driver Pump Operator = Engineer drives the rig. Officer rides in the passenger seat. Jumpseat A is behind the Officer and Jumpseat B is behind the driver. Let me know if you want to start a fire dept. patch collection. Love the videos Brother.

[@randyallen7421]

Love the fire truck videos.Keep them coming!

[@kioschraffenberger3131]

I always wanted to buy a Firetruck but now I don't have to have one, because I have your videos to watch you work on one. Thank you.

[@longjohn77]

I just want to drive it once around the block.

[@spuwho]

The foot switch is probably a Motorcraft (Ford). Used on 70-78 Panthers, F-Series, briefly on some Fox bodies until around 1978-79 model year for high beam activation. Ford started moving over to the European style turn signal stalk forward pull and stopped using the foot switch. As the carpets in the Panthers got more plush, especially on the Lincolns, the foot switches were getting carpet fibers and floor mats caught up in them all the time. I am not surprised one bit that O'Reilly's carries these in stock.

[@jimcollier8111]

GREAT I WAS ON A VOL. FIRE DEPT 30 YEARS LOVE THE Q SENDS CHILLS UP MY BACK MAKES THE HAIR STAND UP ON THE BACK OF MY NECK . MAKE IT SCREAM I LOVE IT IT'S NOT A FIRE TRUCK WITH OUT A FED Q ....

[@tomwilkeson2419]

In fire truck speak the engineer is the driver who also operates the pump when they get to the fire. The front passenger seat is reserved for the officer/highest ranking firefighter who will command/manage the other firefighters on the truck.

[@22Dropinthebucket]

The golden bulldog is put on by mack indicating an all mack chassis. Mean mack body ftame motor ect. Thats how u can spot one from a mile away if it has a mack motot.

[@lewiskemp5893]

I think this will be one of your most fun builds ever. Every boy inside of us all wants a personal fire truck. I bet your town would love it when you fire up the siren. Lol

[@daddynichol52]

I stopped by his shop to meet the Detail Dudes the other day. The shop is a work in progress but it IS a working shop, not a trailer queen castle. BTW, I'm driving 90 miles to have the double D boys detail my car's exterior. They're worth it.

[@rwh1949homer]

Looking forward to the detail on the fire truck. Especially the engine.

[@dixiemay1996]

The foot switch was primarily the high beam switch on older cars and few were for secondary horn from steering wheel.

[@neekoadler]

Just info, most all fire apparatus has ground activating solenoids. So please careful so you do not short anything out. I have been working on fire equipment for over 20 years. Nice truck.

[@stephenprosser2621]

A lot of times we just used a momentary or high low switch to replace the siren switch’s

[@bryandepaepe5984]

That floor switch was used for the windshield washer fluid pump on some older large heavy duty fleet trucks.

[@fmartinjr]

Its a switch. They were used for a lot of things.

[@I8ITSK8N]

The firefighter that asked WhistlinDiesel where the siren went after he launched his fire truck into a tree and his face when WD told him 🤷‍♂️😂😂😂

[@jons4686]

Most satisfying diagnosis ever

[@bozodog428]

Love the fire truck videos! Keep em coming JR.

[@Rolexor]

Good troubleshooting. I loved hearing the siren come to life.

[@tennysonjames2969]

you carrried two truck batteries from the parts store to your house on the boosted board?? props to you man! those shits are heavy

[@rainraindown]

i bet his neighbors are happy he doesnt have 100 cars outside his house anymore

[@DeadReckon]

No, just a firetruck hahahaha.

[@nadenolam8368]

Only the Rolls, see it setting there day after day feeling neglected.

[@trapjohnson]

@@nadenolam8368 The Rolls is what brought me to the channel. Sad to see parts still ain't here.

[@Chris-hw4mq]

@@trapjohnson Waiting for that thing to get finished

[@TheducksOrg]

@@Chris-hw4mq just a new tailshaft right?

[@Precisionreelworks]

Cool to see it has a gold bulldog! That means it has a mack motor and drivetrain

[@defectvirus]

Your Fire truck is litttttt JR!!! Almost at 300k congrats!!

[@RyanKlapperich]

Is the floor switch on the driver's side for brights headlights? I had a 70s oldsmobile where the brights was a floor switch on the left floorboard like that.

[@nzsaltflatsracer8054]

Headlight dimmer is a 2 position switch, this is a momentary switch.

[@Brycereigle2000]

same with the 2 f150's ive owned fullsize ford trucks had that until 1992

[@petepetrini9759]

Normally the Engineer is the driver and runs the pumping system and the "driver's side' is where the Lieutenant or the Captain sits

[@grosseileracingteam]

We called them the engineer (driver/pump operator) side and officer (passenger) side.

[@grosseileracingteam]

@xheralt Don't know about FDNY. I live near Detroit.

[@MassiveTrackHunter]

Isn't that the old highbeam foot-switch in all the cars older than about 1972? Had one in an old truck, and a couple of cars from my teens. Cool to see.

[@zigzagrz]

Ah yes the ol' "turn on all the switches for the lights and sirens" for the next person to have a surprise when they turn on the battery

[@n3lee]

Chauffeur/engineer (driver) and officer (passenger) seat. The rear seats are often referred to as jump seats or backstep seats.

[@happycommentator6773]

In my old fire dept days, if you drove an engine, you were called a Wagon Driver. The officer seat was called "The Seat" and the jump seats were called "The Buckets". My favorite spots to ride were in the buckets as nozzleman on the wagon and ,"hook and can" on the truck. Also loved being a Wagon and Squad Wagon Driver. 👍🇺🇸

[@thomasbrown2025]

I do final assembly on ladder trucks its amazing to see the difference between old and new.

[@paulwatts3328]

Congratulations on the content, nobody works as hard as JR, should be a million by now..but it will be Go JR Go

[@jaredslattery4584]

@WatchJRGo check that siren break. Mine does not "ring" when depressed and stops alot faster. I think your missing the braking material.

[@jamesjames3525]

The truck looks so cool but it's from another era. Fixing it will always cost a bomb. Cool acquisition never the less.😉👍🚒🚒😄😉😉🚒🚒👍

[@pdsrenos]

The foot switch on the left side of the drivers area is your bright lights. The driver and the captain can operate the foot switch for the siren. (Right Foot) The horn/siren switch changes the input to the siren from the horn switch. Horn=horn and siren=siren. if your horn is connected to the siren unit.

[@andrewzanas9387]

My A6 had the same problem. Used car dealer I bought the Audi from never programmed in the battery to the immobilizer so the car ran for 6 mo. at lower recharging rate until low battery triggered the anti theft system and locked me out of steering column, transmission, hood & trunk, lol. Rear seat unlocks by key allowing trunk access to battery by fluorescent manual trunk release. As a former 300,000 mi F150 owner I had no idea what was going on. Bought a new battery and a VCDS and reprogrammed it. Nice new Autel by the way. JR. Impressive. Hope you're being paid to sponsor them. Correction: were paid handsomely to be sponsored by them. Seems like it's a no brainer, though it would not be the 1st time somebody accused me of that.

[@jamesemcclure]

Loving the fire truck content.

[@paulkoontz6095]

Great looking engine. We had same truck from 1981 till 1999 ,ours was a 5 speed not the sissy automatic. Lol. Cab mounts rust first.

[@EstorilE36M345]

you are one smart troubleshooting dude.

[@onefastslimjim]

Gotta love a Q! It sounds really healthy!

[@ChrisLincolnHomes]

Old High Beam foot switch that most GM cars used, probably all old cars for that matter.

[@danielseelye6005]

It was that way for my '85 F-150

[@CALVINLNIKONT]

My 2000 International big truck still had a floor switch for the headlights.

[@waderyu]

Can this Kid fix just anything...unbelievable

[@thebatteries6286]

So many satisfying things in this video!

[@CortezBurt]

I grew up next to a fire station and was heavily into fire engines. In the '80s they removed the federal sirens and replace them with the light bars and the electronic sirens.

[@johnmcmickle5685]

With most departments the front passenger seat is where the company officer (Captain or Lieutenant) rides. The driver is also the engineer.

[@christopherkraft1327]

That siren is awesome!!! I think that the Aztec needs a siren just like it!! 😳

[@danielleenglert4140]

The little boy who honked is so cute!!!

[@mark8lifestyle322]

Awesome Siren!!!

[@leonardnose5695]

JR i enjoy your videos. If i can ask for a video of you explaining how you got into working and flipping car’s. Thanks brotha, wishing you the best and love how the shop/warehouse is coming together.❤️🤙🏼

[@PaulBarwick]

John, Good job. The next time you are using the in cab commo system, how about putting a mic in one of the headphone cups? That way we should be able to hear well too.

[@keyboardfarmer6225]

The Officer’s side siren switch is a momentary foot switch. Same as a momentary switch used to start a tractor. The Driver’s side is a push on push off for the high beams. The siren/horn is for the electronic siren. Q2b is too many amps for the horn button. Be sure the siren switch is only a momentary. Don’t want that thing to get stuck on. Those floor switches often break due to getting kicked by steel toe boots of firefighters climbing in and out of the rig.