Indication Light

[treegump]

So...because my truck did not come with fog lights, and my rear backup lamps are pathetic, I'm installing new ones on switches. (Actually my backup lamps are going to be on with my OEM lights and also on a switch). I tried to use the same indicator light for both switches, but it ends up making my lights stay on continuously. Is there a way I can wire the indicator light up to both switches so that if either one of the switches are on, it'll let me know?

Thanks!

FYI - I have a power running from the battery to the switch to the lights - no neutral or ground. The ground is from the lights to the body.

 

[dms4x4]

Use your switch to fire a two pole relay. Run the circuit from the battery through the first relay contacts to the indicator light. Jumper to the second contacts, then take that to the fog lights. If you can find the back up switch, you can do the same thing, and your back up fog lights will come on automatically.

Be sure to put a fuse or circuit breaker close to the battery, or better yet, originate the circuit in the main panel if there is an empty spot.

 

[treegump]

I don't think I can tie the 2 switchs together for the indicator light. I now realize- thru your posting, that I could've used 1 hot for both switches - and I may go ahead and revise that... I've got 2 more lights I want to install - one on either side of my bed - between my crossover toolbox and my cab - for side lights. I may add those into my back-up switch...or because of my back feeding, I may have to put that on another switch.

This is what I did - ran from the battery to the cab/switch to my fog lamps. (No indicator lamp) . Ran another line from my battery to the cab/switch to my back-up lamps. I then ran another wire from my battery line to my backup wire in the passenger side tail light. This way my back up lamps light up when i shift into reverse or if I'm not in reverse, I can still switch them on for hooking up a trailer, or trail driving, or whatever. (Bad thing is - which I didn't take into account initially - but if the truck is not running and I flip my back up lamps on, and then shift into reverse, my fuel pump will start and my check engine lights turn on as if the key is in the on position. When the truck is running, nothing abnormal shows up. Is there danger in backfeeding from the tail lights?)

 

[dms4x4]

That's bizarre. Without some good wiring diagrams, it's hard to say what's going to happen, as you've already found out. If you still want indicator lights, you might try looking for a switch with a built in lamp that comes on with the switch.

Those look like nice lights. I'd probably tear them off in the places I tend to go.

 

[treegump]

That's bizarre. Without some good wiring diagrams, it's hard to say what's going to happen, as you've already found out. If you still want indicator lights, you might try looking for a switch with a built in lamp that comes on with the switch.

Those look like nice lights. I'd probably tear them off in the places I tend to go.

1) - I haven't changed anything in the OEM wiring harness - but ran hot wire parallel with my backup lamps - its just a reverse feed into the fuse panel. I'm not intending on shifting into reverse with the switch on, so I think I'm ok.

2) I had a switch for my fog lamps that the built-in lamp would turn on, but it would practically blind me, so that's why I went with the indicator light. I may go ahead and try to reinstall the built-in light and just paint the light to dull it a bit.

3) The back up lights are cheapo lights from Rural King (or tractor supply/Big R) - farm equipment lights meant for off-road purpose only (says so on the package - but honestly...walmart's lights just weren't working)

 

[SfcJones]

got to be mighty careful on back feeding power. if something else is coming on when you flip the switch it isn't good. especially the check engine light. That signal is coming from the computer....

 

[treegump]

got to be mighty careful on back feeding power. if something else is coming on when you flip the switch it isn't good. especially the check engine light. That signal is coming from the computer....

Yea - I need to change this. What I'm thinking of doing is removing it entirely from the stock wiring harness - completely disconnecting the other power source from the stock setting. I don't mind flipping a switch if I decide I need more light when backing up.