2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission HELP - back up lights to turn signals

[JEmmons]

I need some help, please. I have a 98 ext cab 4x4. I cut my back up light wire and ran that directly to a set of auxiliary lights mounted to the bottom of my hitch. I then used a test light, activated my turn signals, and found the wire for my turn signals. Cut that wire on both lamps (right and left) and hooked that into the wire coming from back up lamp. Turn signals are now my back up lights (put in a yellow bulb in each) but, they are now my brake lights too. What happened.



Can someone help. :--)

 

[bighammer]

Got to tap into the wires that go to the FRONT turn signals.



The way it's wired, the switch lights both rear turn signals for brake lights.



Hope that makes sense

 

[Bigramguy]

The turn signals and brake lamps share a common circuit and bulb filament. You will have to isolate the turn signals from the brake lamp circuit. I don't have a manual handy,but do a search and something should come up as a lot of guys were wiring up an extra signal on the sides of the truck. I do remeber someone posting a wiring diagram on how to do it.

 

[JEmmons]

thank you

i was sitting here going over it in my head, and figured it out that the brake and turn signals to rear are in the same wire. thanks for your help. if anyone can tell me how to accomplish this, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[illflem]

You need to run a wire from under the dash if you want a brake light only wire. Guy who installed my canopy cussed about it, said Dodge was the only truck like that. He was required by law to connect the third brake light on the canopy. It is the only way to do it.



You need to be careful tapping in higher wattage backup lights to the existing wiring, the wire is puny and won't carry much. A better way to do it is to put every thing back together the way it was, then use the positive wire to your stock backup lights to trigger a relay. You can then pull your new lights 12v+ though the relay from the trailer jack, there is a 12v+ wire there that is larger.

 

[Big Jon]

Evan Beck's Schematic

Evan Beck is the man when it comes to the 6-way turn signal conversion. He wired me up and I love them (got side markers on the circuit too).



Go to this link: www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33584&highlight=6way+turn+signals and you will see a post with Evan's schematic attached. If you are running 55 watt back-up lights off of the factory wiring, you're gonna be sorry eventually as the wire is too light for the load.



This link has some additional information including a picture or two. www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33584&highlight=6way+turn+signals Evan was going to put together a kit for this, but I don't know where he's at on that. Evan..... you out there????



Anyway, hope this helps.



Good luck,



Jon

 

[JEmmons]

thanks

big John



thank you for the info, but your links do not work. can you help me out? someone earlier stated to run a wire from the front turn signals? ok, but on the rear lights, the red will still be active. does someone know how to contact evan beck to have him drop me a line?

 

[Bigramguy]

fixed link

try it now www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33584&highlight=6way+turn+signals



if it still doesn't work just copy and paste it in to your browser address line

 

[Big Jon]

JESimmons - I tried to send you a PM but it seems to have gone into a black hole as opposed to going to you, so I'll share the information here. First though, sorry about the links not working and thank you Bigramguy for posting a functional link. Doing a search on "Six-way turn signals" (leave out the quotes) will turn up the posts as well that I was trying to link to.



Evan Beck's username is Evan A. Beck. You can look him up and send him an email or PM him if you'd like.



A comment on using the wires from the front turn signals: That might work short term, but those wires are designed to handle the load of the front signal bulbs only, and not the front and rears. You would be better off following Evan's schematic and running new wire(s) to the rear for the amber turn signal bulbs. You'll need to access the wiring that comes down from the multi-function turn-signal switch in the steering column. Best way to do that is removal of the plastic shroud on the underside of the steering column as it goes into the dash.



Also, I noticed Evan's schematic didn't address the back-up/work light circuit that a few of us have. If you're going to go with an aftermarket back-up light assembly that uses something like an 1156 bulb, you can use the existing wires. If your going to use 55 watt utility lights or halogens, you will need heavier gauge wire. Evan put a relay in my circuit that senses both the factory reverse switch and a manual switch for activating the two 55 watt lights. However you do it, you will want a relay in the circuit if you're going to use something more powerful than an 1156 or equivalent bulb.



Sorry for the length of this. Hope it helps and good luck.



Jon

 

[JEmmons]

Big Jon

thank you for your help. i got your pm. i found evan becks post with the schematic. i am going to attempt that.

 

[tgbol]

Instead of connecting your rear turn signals to the front turn signals, you can disconnect the white/tan from the multi function switch at the steering column. The turn signal switch will operate as normal without brake lights.

 

[RJ2]

Will that work on the 97. I put in red LED bulbs.

 

[Bill Lins]

Another possible solution (and help for the camper installer):



Back when aftermarket (add-on) third brake lights were popular, they came with a module that you spliced in to keep the third brake light from blinking with the turn signals. These modules may still be available. If you can find one, you may be able to splice it in to the circuit to solve the problem. Good luck.