2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Wiring Question

[HWestfall]

Can someone explain how to wire a pair of KCs on a 02 3500 using a three pos. toggle switch, one position is on at anytime, the other is on with High beam only. I had them wired through relays on each circuit & switching the power. That way the KCs stayed on if in the High beam position & the headlights are turned off. Someone told me that the truck is wired so the Gr. is switched. But when I tried to wire that way the KCs go out when the headlights are turned on, & the highbeams won't stay on if the switch is in that position. :{

 

[B.G. Smith]

You need a double pole, double throw switch with center position off. Tie the poles on one side of the switch together and run them to one side of the coil in the relay you are using, run 12 v to the other side of the relay coil. Ground the pole on the other side of the switch position that you want to be the "on anytime" position, run a wire from the pole of the "high beams on" position to one of the switched grounds to the high beam of the head lights, it is lg/br on 99 but is probably a different color on yours. As someone told you, they do manipulate the lights by switching the ground side now so you will have one to the lows and one to the highs.

 

[HWestfall]

Thank B. G. for the info I will try it. H. Westfall

 

[HWestfall]

B. G. I tryed to wire them as you suggested, I guess I don't quit follow some of the instructions as it didn't work. Do you jump accross all thee posts on the anytime on side? Witch post on the relay do I connect to 86? Do I run 12v to 87. Were do I pick up the Gr. for the High Beam Headlight under the dash or out by the headlight? What post do I connect the Gr. wire from the KC to#30 the load post? Can anybody explain in a simple way how to do this,

I am shure someone else might be interested. Oo.

 

[B.G. Smith]

If the switch you are using has three sets of terminals, don't use the center set. That will be the off position. Tie the terminals on one side together and from that smae side run a wire to one side of the coil on the relay. I don't have a numbered diagram handy. Run a wire from the other side of the switch on the end that you want to be the "anytime on" position and tie it to a good ground. There will be two ground wire going to the headlights, one for high beam and one for low beam, the other wire will be 12v all the time. Locate the one that turns on the high beam, It will show 12v on a meter when the head light switch is off an ground continuity when the switch is on. I would locate it under the hood near the lights as taht would be easier for me. If you have a wiring diag. for your truck, you could locate it at the light switch but that will probably require pulling the dash bezel. bg

 

[EBansberg]

30 is your 12v in

87 is your 12v out normally open(closed when you flip the switch)

85 and 86 are for the magnetic coil which throws the switch(doesn't matter which has power and which has ground)

I'm a little confused at what you are trying to do exactly. I believe KC sets them up so that they come on with the low beam off with the high? Do you want them on whenever or coordinated with either low or high? I reread your post a couple times but drove myself in circles. To put it simply, whenever there is a current across 85-86 the lights are on.

P. S. some relays(dpst) have an 87a option which is normally closed(on) and turns off when you flip the switch.



Edit: I think I figured out what you are saying. What I came up with is to splice off the High beam wire and run it to the relay along with your switched 12v. connect both to say 85. 86 ground. when the power is switched on it works, when high beams come on it works. With this you can use a regular switch. Anyone see a problem with this?



Didn't the lights come with a wiring diagram?

 

[Thomas]

... What I came up with is to splice off the High beam wire and run it to the relay along with your switched 12v. connect both to say 85. 86 ground. when the power is switched on it works, when high beams come on it works. With this you can use a regular switch. Anyone see a problem with this?...

I see a big problem. HWestfall has a 2002 Ram. The headlights use switched ground. The basic circuit is shown here: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayimage.php?&photoid=15712&width=0

If, as you suggest, the high beam wire (red/orange) is run to one side of the trigger coil and the other side of the trigger coil is run to ground, the high beams will always be on (though likely not always visible due to the resistance of the trigger coil), regardless of the position of the headlight switch. So will the pair of lamps he is trying to control with the relay - always on.

 

[EBansberg]

I knew I missed something somewhere. Stupid bass ackwards wiring stuff ARGGHH.