High Mount Bed Light

[rspeers]

I have a 2023 3500 Laramie and tow a fifth wheel many miles a year. At times I tow thru the night and like to look into the bed to check on things. The problem is that the cab mounted light turns off when the transmission is placed into gear. The two lights back buy the tailgate stay on. My 2019 stayed on. I have checked with several new trucks at the dealer and they function like my 2023. Does anyone know of a way to get around this problem?

 

[BigPapa]

LED’s under the bed rails.

 

[Ozymandias]

Did they figure out it isn't so wise to have a bright white light pointing rearward on a forward moving vehicle?

 

[rspeers]

I have thought of adding extra LEDs powered off of the factory installed tailgate LEDs. I was just wondering if anybody knew of a work around on the cab light.

 

[BigPapa]

Whatever you do, I'd power it off a relay.

 

[Topzide]

They took away the cargo lamp switch? That sucks! If you turn the dimmer all the way up, will that turn on the cargo lamp? Do you not have the cargo camera in the 3rd brake lamp(CHMSL)? I wonder if that something that AlfaOBD could change like the fog lamp drop out. I'm sure it's worth the look since you say it goes out when put in gear. I'll look on AlfaOBD to see what I can find.

 

[BigPapa]

On my old 2nd Gen's, you had to turn the interior light on to turn the cargo light on. When you did that, you couldn't see the bed for the interior light reflection on the rear window. I guess you 4th Gen fellows have a bed camera.

 

[Topzide]

@BigPapa, If you don't have cargo camera, with the right center stack radio, you can add one!
https://infotainment.com/ can hook you up with everything you'd need, just get ready to drop some serious coin!
New radios, folding mirrors, instrument cluster and cameras! All the goodies that you didn't get or didn't think you'd need.

 

[AH64ID]

The interior dimmer hasn’t activated the cargo light for some time. There is a separate switch for it.

While driving my 18 would light the cargo light and bed lights with the cargo light button but the 22 only lights the bed lights. From what little I’ve used it I prefer how the 22 does it, as there is less glare in the cargo camera at night.

 

[Pizzamaker991]

I have a 2023 3500 Laramie and tow a fifth wheel many miles a year. At times I tow thru the night and like to look into the bed to check on things. The problem is that the cab mounted light turns off when the transmission is placed into gear. The two lights back buy the tailgate stay on. My 2019 stayed on. I have checked with several new trucks at the dealer and they function like my 2023. Does anyone know of a way to get around this problem?

Can't say for certain with the '23 but on my '20 the cargo light always came on no matter where the trans was. I added aftermarket mirrors that have the rear facing led's and was trying to figure out how to get them to come on in reverse

Using the Alfa obd tool navigate to the body control module and find the vehicle configuration settings...scroll through until you find the setting for chmsl rear guidance lamps. If it shows YES then the chmsl will only come on in P R N after pressing the button.... If you change the setting to NO then it will come on anytime the button is pressed regardless of what gear you are in.

 

[Ozymandias]

Can't say for certain with the '23 but on my '20 the cargo light always came on no matter where the trans was. I added aftermarket mirrors that have the rear facing led's and was trying to figure out how to get them to come on in reverse

Using the Alfa obd tool navigate to the body control module and find the vehicle configuration settings...scroll through until you find the setting for chmsl rear guidance lamps. If it shows YES then the chmsl will only come on in P R N after pressing the button.... If you change the setting to NO then it will come on anytime the button is pressed regardless of what gear you are in.

Clever, you learn fast how to use the AlfaOBD. I'm seriously impressed. Good job.

 

[Pizzamaker991]

Clever, you learn fast how to use the AlfaOBD. I'm seriously impressed. Good job.

I find that it is really straightforward and intuitive as long as you read everything and follow the instructions.

Other than being able to help test the emissions system problems, I was also finally able to update the tire pressure thresholds to make that damn tpms light go out. It has been one of the best $150 investments I’ve made.

Thank you for being one of the people that suggested getting it.

 

[mpaulson]

I’ve got 8 triple led light units added just under the bed rails tied in directly to the rear factory led lights. Did this on my 2018 and my 2023 and never had any issues at all. No relay, direct tied in.
You can see a few of them here, rest are just under the rails spaced out towards the rear.