Which Wire is HOT?

[Silver Ratler]

I have a 2001 3500 Quad Cab and I need to install an accessory wire that is hot with the ignition on.

I removed the panel from beneath the steering wheel and found plenty of wire... ... but have no idea which one is safe to use. All I could invision is poking around and setting the air bag off.

Can anyone out there direct me to a safe wire and / or let me know which ones to stay away from. I guess I need to spend the money for the manual!

Thanks in advance for any help.

By the way, the wire is needed to power the compressor for a brand new set of Hadley Ambassadors... . only thing left to do is power them up! Please help!

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2001 4X4 QC 3500, Auto LSD, Towing & Camper pkgs. Silver metallic. 30ft Road Ranger 5th wheel.

 

[Thomas]

Fuse socket 16 (a spare) in the junction block (left end of dash) is hot with key on. The wire to the cigar lighter is also hot with key on. I'll leave it to your creativity to access either of these sources.

I suggest that you use your source of key-on 12 volts to trigger a 30 or 40 amp relay. You'll then have lots of current available for key-on add-ons. I don't think that I would run the compressor from any source without a relay.

[This message has been edited by Thomas (edited 05-21-2001). ]

 

[illflem]

Don't want to sound like a worry-wart, but it's always a good idea to disconnect your batteries and wait 5 minutes before fooling around in the steering column. There have been more people injured/killed by an accidental airbag deployment when working on rig than there have been people injured by them in wrecks. If you had the manual it has an area in bold face with #ad
reminding you do so before messing around in that area. It's easier to reset your radio stations than to get your head sewed back on.