Light Switch Question

[pbcolt]

Hey, I just installed my 4 KC slimlites on my light bar. I ditched the switch they came with and used 2 toyota factory illuminated switches. My problem is the lights on the switches are on all the time (even with keys out of car). Im guessing its because the lights are wired to the battery, so they are always getting power? What sort of additional ____ would i need to make it so the switch lights only turn on when I have them in the "on" position? Thanks in advance.

 

[pbcolt]

also, should i unplug the switches so the lights dont drain my battery, or are the lights too small to do any harm

 

[blcktpgsr]

Provided you're using a relay, you should have one of the wires coming off of the switch going to the supply(ignition, park light etc..) one going to no. 86 terminal on the relay and the other wire off the switch is simply grounded..grounding illuminates the switch only when the power source is activated.

 

[pbcolt]

Provided you're using a relay, you should have one of the wires coming off of the switch going to the supply(ignition, park light etc..) one going to no. 86 terminal on the relay and the other wire off the switch is simply grounded..grounding illuminates the switch only when the power source is activated.

So still a little confused. I grounded my switch in the kick panel below where the switch is right next to another set of brown wires (another ground I assume). I attached a picture of that. I also attached a picture of the wiring under my hood. The instructions say:

Yellow to 12v power source.
Green to switch from relay
white (for 1999 and older vehicles) - Attach the white wire to any 12 volt power source. A power source that turns on and off with your ignition is preferable. Right now I have that white wire attached to my battery.

 

[pbcolt]

ground wire picture didnt turn out too well. mine are the ones with the arrow and you see another set of ground wires right above it. So I'm guessing where I mounted them is a grounded piece of metal.

 

[4RunnerDNA]

Seems like one problem is the white wire. The white wire is there to provide power to charge the relay when the switch is flipped to on. That is why you choose a source that has power only when the key is in the ignition or when the vehicle is on. Also double check your relay positions. Your lights are grounded as well correct?

 

[pbcolt]

Seems like one problem is the white wire. The white wire is there to provide power to charge the relay when the switch is flipped to on. That is why you choose a source that has power only when the key is in the ignition or when the vehicle is on. Also double check your relay positions. Your lights are grounded as well correct?

Yes they are, they work perfectly, its just the stupid switches that have the lights that stay on. Where would I find another power source that only comes on with the ignition?

 

[broncosi]

your acc in your radio harness, your cig lighter. Two popular ones. Do you have a test light or an ohm/volt meter. There are a bunch in the kick panel, just test for ~12 volts when the key is in the on or acc possition but it should read 0 when the key is in the off or out of the cylinder.

 

[pbcolt]

thank you very much guys. I will go hunting this afternoon for a source and let you know how it goes. I'll also post some pictures of the light bar.

 

[pbcolt]

cant get any of the wires on the drivers side kick panel to register anything with the key in the acc position...anyone know a color wire that is easily accessible for a 12v source?

 

[blcktpgsr]

try the ignition in the fuse box or the park lights, I use either of these to power my lights

 

[kylebacc]

Park lights are nice and easy. Cig lighter is probably second easiest.

 

[pbcolt]

whew...done!

I ended up tapping into the power for the ac. Works now!

 

[kylebacc]

Very good. Now what do you say you show us these lights???