2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Wiring 101

[JohnHaney]

can someone give me easy directions to wire in an extra set of front lights that are triggered by the high beams. I have an aftermarket bumper with 2 pairs of opening for lights. one set i triggered using the stock fog light harness which was easy (once i realized dodge uses the ground for switching). the second pair i would like to trigger when the high beams are kicked on. i have a relay that came with the lights but i can't figure out how to use the stock system as the trigger wire, do i need another relay since all of the wires at the headlight are hot until you switch from low to high. please be very simple in your responses, lets pretend i am a dummy when it comes to wiring. :-laf

 

[DieselDoghouse]

IF your high beams are switched on the ground side you should be able to use one relay:



feed 12V to the relay contacts (the arm preferably) THROUGH a fuse (always fuse the positive side). ALSO provide this 12V to one side of the relay coil. The OTHER side of the relay coil connects to the switched ground lead of the high beams (could pick up at the lamp) Whenever the highbeams are closed to ground and lit, the relay is also grounded, and closes the 12V supply to the lamps.



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[DieselDoghouse]

Sorry the image didn't post - the TDR servers are hard to convince to take image files from Macs. I think you can get the gist anyway - good luck!

 

[SSolderitch]

the relay has 2 sets of contacts A normaly open set & a normaly closed set. That is the state without voltage on the coil. So wire the 2 second set of lights to the relay when the high beams are on lights are on.

 

[JohnHaney]

thanks dieseldoghouse, i believe i got it. hook the ground side of the relay to the headlight harness that controls the high beams. then hook up my constant power and trigger wire to positive sources. then when the ground closes on the high beams it will ground the relay and turn the lights on. does that sound correct? thanks for the help, i can't tell you the brain damage this caused me saturday morning. :-laf

 

[DieselDoghouse]

I believe you got it. Ain't it as much fun as the old positive ground cars?????

Why did they hafta fix what's not broke??