Trying to find a Contura 3-way switch...

farmerjon

farmerjon

Senior Member
Hey all:

I've emailed OTRATTW as well as contacted them on FB, and they've not been very helpful. I figured I would turn to you guys...

I'm looking for a 3-way Contura switch for my auxilary lights setup.

I want to be able to NOTE: I do not want to control the high beams via this switch.:

  • AUX on, HIGHS on
  • AUX on, HIGHs off
  • AUX off, HIGHS on

Does that make sense?

So I need a three way switch... I've tried searching around, I can't find any info or such...

Basically, I want to be able to toggle the availability of the AUX lights to the high beams, while giving myself an option to turn them on without the high beam power lead...

Also, what is the difference between the Contura lines, such as the II and the others? Is it a size difference ? Styling?

Thanks guys, very much appreciated.
 
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BrianSD_42 said:
Won't it need to be a 4-way switch ....?

You forgot:

Aux Off, Highs Off
Click to expand...

No...? I can turn off the highs using the stock switch on the lever... and if I have an option for the AUX lights to stay off, as in, not available to the system when JUST the highs are on, then, that should take care of it, right?

I'd like the aux on, with highs on too, THEN the ability to have AUX on WITHOUT the highs, and then an option to have the highs on WITHOUT the aux. Does that explain any better?

Like, for the first option, I want to have a switch setting where I can just flick the high beam lever and have both lights on.
 
The stock rear heater control switch, located behind the center console, on a limited 96-98 is a 3 way switch. On 1, on 2, off.
 
BrianSD_42 said:
The stock rear heater control switch, located behind the center console, on a limited 96-98 is a 3 way switch. On 1, on 2, off.
Click to expand...

That's interesting. I have an SR5... Need to look at the switch in my SR5 and get an idea of what it looks like, it's been a while since I've looked at it.

Would be interested in a Contura, they are cool switches.
 
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Why not wire up a simple sp/st switch when you want the lights on turn them on. I think your over thinking a simple task. Now if you wanted 1 set of fogs on the 2 sets on then all off a 3 way switch is what you want.
 
JamesDean91 said:
Why not wire up a simple sp/st switch when you want the lights on turn them on. I think your over thinking a simple task. Now if you wanted 1 set of fogs on the 2 sets on then all off a 3 way switch is what you want.
Click to expand...

That's how I'm running them currently. A bit of a pain, honestly.

I could wire them up the the highbeams, but I want the option to be able to have the Aux lights on WITHOUT the highs.
 
What you are looking for is a Double Pole/Double Throw (DPDT) 3 position switch. ON/ON/ON and wire it accordingly. A quick search is telling me that nobody makes that switch in mass production. But that doesn't mean that you can't special order it. Another idea you might try is getting a ON/ON/OFF and a ON/OFF/ON switch and combined the guts to make an ON/ON/ON switch. <----This is what I would do. It might be a little more expensive but it will get the job done with the style of switch that you want.
 
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smallfry said:
Here you go look at post #4, that's the switch you need

Master reference for OEM style dash switches
Click to expand...

I've seen that switch before! I thought it was super rare, will have to see if my local dealership has it. Thanks a lot smallfry, I hadn't realized it was a three-way specifically, at least the first time I saw it...

attachment.php


I don't understand the top and the bottom though, though I guess those markings wouldn't line up with what I want to do?

The top looks like highs on, AUX off, then the middle is off for the AUX, and the bottom is highs off and the AUX on?

Can't find it online on eBay or other places via a quick search. Could be hard to locate one... hmmm.
 
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Kurtis said:
What you are looking for is a Double Pole/Double Throw (DPDT) 3 position switch. ON/ON/ON and wire it accordingly. I'll see what I can find. So far just toggle switches.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the term info! That certainly helps! why ON x 3? What happens when you want to make one of the switch positions that keeps the AUX off in all circumstances?

Thanks Kurtis, much appreciated! This has been much harder than I thought!
 
farmerjon said:
Thanks for the term info! That certainly helps! why ON x 3? What happens when you want to make one of the switch positions that keeps the AUX off in all circumstances?

Thanks Kurtis, much appreciated! This has been much harder than I thought!
Click to expand...

I edited my post above with a little more information. the reason you want to have ON/ON/ON is because one or the other circuit (AUX/HIGHS) will be ON anytime that switch is energized.
 
smallfry said:
Got bored and checked ebay UK, don't know if it would work though (there's a few of this style on the site)

92+ Toyota MR2 gti-16 g limited turbo is200 is300 JDM front fog light switch | eBay

Toyota MR2 MK2 Import Front Steering Type Fog Light Switch Mr MR2 Used Parts | eBay

Aussie Ebay

TOYOTA LIGHT SWITCH - Spot, Work & Fog Light - Suits HiLux, Pardo 120, | eBay
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Oooh, nice, thanks smallfry! I'd rather keep the korean characters outta my rig haha. :P Though that would certainly be authentic, considering where the 4Runner was made.

I like the last one, but not as accurate. SURE is pricey!
 
Kurtis said:
What you are looking for is a Double Pole/Double Throw (DPDT) 3 position switch. ON/ON/ON and wire it accordingly. A quick search is telling me that nobody makes that switch in mass production. But that doesn't mean that you can't special order it. Another idea you might try is getting a ON/ON/OFF and a ON/OFF/ON switch and combined the guts to make an ON/ON/ON switch. <----This is what I would do. It might be a little more expensive but it will get the job done with the style of switch that you want.
Click to expand...

Thanks Kurtis for this info!

What would be wrong with an ON/OFF/ON? If the switch is in the OFF position, then the AUX won't come on for anything, which is what I want... then one ON could be for AUX with HIGHS, and one for AUX withOUT HIGHS.

Would that work?

I don't have the knowledge to combine switches... I don't really even know how to wire this up, but I know someone who is willing to teach me, but I'm trying to assemble some parts...
 
farmerjon said:
Thanks Kurtis for this info!

What would be wrong with an ON/OFF/ON? If the switch is in the OFF position, then the AUX won't come on for anything, which is what I want... then one ON could be for AUX with HIGHS, and one for AUX withOUT HIGHS.

Would that work?

I don't have the knowledge to combine switches... I don't really even know how to wire this up, but I know someone who is willing to teach me, but I'm trying to assemble some parts...
Click to expand...

You would be missing AUX OFF and HIGHS ON.

To my understanding you want to be able to control both the HIGHS and the AUX lights with 1 switch. Is that correct?
 
Kurtis said:
You would be missing AUX OFF and HIGHS ON.

To my understanding you want to be able to control both the HIGHS and the AUX lights with 1 switch. Is that correct?
Click to expand...

Have I been saying it wrong, I must be.

I do NOT want to control the highs with one switch... JUST the aux.

I'd like a 3-way switch to control JUST the aux.

The aux lights should have three options, one option would let them come on with the high beams (where they would be tapped into the power lead of the highs), and one would allow them to come one without having the highs on...

Of course, the third, would allow just the high beams to come on by themselves, this switch setting would block the AUXs from coming on with the high beam power lead.

Does this help? I can't believe how hard it is for me to articulate this. :AK47:
 
farmerjon said:
Have I been saying it wrong, I must be.

I do NOT want to control the highs with one switch... JUST the aux.

I'd like a 3-way switch to control JUST the aux.

The aux lights should have three options, one option would let them come on with the high beams (where they would be tapped into the power lead of the highs), and one would allow them to come one without having the highs on...

Of course, the third, would allow just the high beams to come on by themselves, this switch setting would block the AUXs from coming on with the high beam power lead.

Does this help? I can't believe how hard it is for me to articulate this. :AK47:
Click to expand...

:doh:

Okay, got it.

Makes perfect since now.

SP3T ON-ON-OFF

It's one of the 2 in the link below. The top one just has the LED wire independent of the input power.

OTRATTW

Sorry, I talk with my hands a lot and my written interpretation blows ass.
 
Kurtis said:
:doh:

Okay, got it.

Makes perfect since now.

SP3T ON-ON-OFF

It's one of the 2 in the link below. The top one just has the LED wire independent of the input power.

OTRATTW

Sorry, I talk with my hands a lot and my written interpretation blows ass.
Click to expand...

YEAH! We finally got on the same page! I think, if anything, it was my poor explanations, I usually know what I want to communicate, just not the right words haha.

Thank you so much, this helps a LOT! Looks like the first switch is out of stock, which most of the site seems to be. All I have to do is find a "cover" or rocker for the front, that is also Contura II, and I should be set, correct?

"Green super bright LED top, red super bright LED bottom. Both independently wired."

On the second one, what does the independently wired mean? Does that mean I have to wire up power to those lights if I want them?

On your image that you drew, what is the "3x THROW" mean? Do I need a relay or something there?

Thanks a ton, man! It is much appreciated!
 
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