Aux. B/U Lights HELP!

[DLGonzo]

Read the posts here pertaining to adding a relay to Aux B/U lights so I thought I'd better do that. While I was at it I decided to change the little fog lights out with Tractor work lights.



Anyway, I've got things hooked up and the lights work, but only when it's out of reverse, the go off when I shift to reverse. The hot wire I used was the B+ wire for the trailer lights.



I'm using a Bosch Headlamp relay that I got from work 12v 20A. I have no idea what I've done wrong. Please help

 

[DLGonzo]

The relay I used is a fan relay from a Camry, not a headlamp relay. I don't know if that makes a difference or not

 

[tbrudder]

Sounds like you might have the lights hooked to the normally-closed pin of the relay. Labeled 87A, IIRC. You want pin 87.



Not all relays have both. 87A gets current when the coil is not getting power, 87 gets it when the coil is energized.



If not that, check your coil ground and power connections. One end should be hooked to the backup-light wire, the other to ground. If you've got the latter hooked to +12V instead, it will work as you described.



If not that, you may have a bad relay. Check with a multimeter--there should be continuity between pin 30 and 87 when current flows through 85 and 86 (one grounded, one +12V).



--Ty

 

[datablitz]

i used a relay as well, but i installed the relay behind the taillight housing, and just wired it into the reverse light wire from the assembly

 

[RJOL]

Originally posted by DLGonzo

... The hot wire I used was the B+ wire for the trailer lights...

When I installed my custom backup lights, I ran a dedicated hot wire (with fuse) and ground wire back to the rear. You can pick up the reverse activation from the reverse sensor on your manual transmission. On the five speed, it is on the driver side a little above center. I also have this wired to a three way switch in the cab so I can select auto (comes on anytime I'm in reverse) manual comes on anytime I have ignition on (great for trailer hookup) and off (never comes on). It's been awhile since I did this, but that's the general configuration... Have fun...

 

[DLGonzo]

Turns out I was using the wrong relay. I went to Advanced and bought another one and things worked great. The one I had was normaly closed by specification for the intended use (Camry Radiator fans). It cost me a couple bucks and another trip to teh parts house, so of course I had to get more stuff.



The Tractor work light I switched to are great too. The really light up the darkness! Much better than the cheap Fog lamps I was using.