PIAA 1500 back up lights question

[viktor17]

Here is my question to electrical gurus on the forum. I want to install PIAA 1500 as my back up lights, so I downloaded installation manual and they want me to connect one of the wires to the source which is "hot" when the vehicle is in reverse. Where is a easiest place to tap in?

 

[jangoforhire]

I haven't done any work on the rear of my truck yet so I can't say for sure, but the standard place would usually be the reverse lights. You also might find something in the trailer harness plug.

 

[jca21]

i would probably run the back up lights on a rocker switch without tapping into the reverse...

just my personal opinion but its nice to turn it on and off as you need it.

 

[Antman]

You can source the power at either one of the reverse light plugs behind a tail light. Either side will work. The left plug is designated O12(gray), and the right is O13(gray). They are both 6 pin plugs. You want the red wire- looking into the plug, it's the bottom row third from the left.

You can source a ground anywhere, but if you want to use a ground at one of the plugs, it'll be the white/black wire- bottom row all the way to the right. :nerd:

 

[viktor17]

3 options

i would probably run the back up lights on a rocker switch without tapping into the reverse...

just my personal opinion but its nice to turn it on and off as you need it.

PIAAs already have this option built in. 3 position switch allows you 3 modes:
-OFF all the time
-On/OFF at will with separate wire (if I need to keep in in PARK to load trailer)
-auto ON on reverse, and that's where I need to find a good place to tap in

 

[viktor17]

You can source the power at either one of the reverse light plugs behind a tail light. Either side will work. The left plug is designated O12(gray), and the right is O13(gray). They are both 6 pin plugs. You want the red wire- looking into the plug, it's the bottom row third from the left.

You can source a ground anywhere, but if you want to use a ground at one of the plugs, it'll be the white/black wire- bottom row all the way to the right. :nerd:

Now we are talking! Thank you much!:banana:

 

[Antman]

No problem - question for you though. since the PIAA harness is pre-loomed and basically plug and play(correct?), where exactly on the harness do you need the connection?

If it's at the switch itself- and that'll be mounted on the dash, there is an easier and closer location to tap into... suspense building....

 

[phillyd2]

i would probably run the back up lights on a rocker switch without tapping into the reverse...

just my personal opinion but its nice to turn it on and off as you need it.

Agreed. It's nice to have a switchable light for too many reasons to list.

 

[Antman]

Agreed. It's nice to have a switchable light for too many reasons to list.

PIAAs already have this option built in. 3 position switch allows you 3 modes:
-OFF all the time
-On/OFF at will with separate wire (if I need to keep in in PARK to load trailer)
-auto ON on reverse, and that's where I need to find a good place to tap in

He will have that ability, PLUS it can be automatic with reverse if he chooses. :shrug:

 

[phillyd2]

He will have that ability, PLUS it can be automatic with reverse if he chooses. :shrug:

Miss that part, sorry.

Is this true with all PIAA lights? After installing my Rigids I'm plan on using one my current lights in the rear and having all three options would be sweet.

 

[viktor17]

No problem - question for you though. since the PIAA harness is pre-loomed and basically plug and play(correct?), where exactly on the harness do you need the connection?

If it's at the switch itself- and that'll be mounted on the dash, there is an easier and closer location to tap into... suspense building....

I do not have PIAA 1500 on hand yet, but I installed PIAA mod 40 single back up light on my 4th gen 4runner and I assume that the harness will be the same. Last time I tapped in into trailer connectors and it was not neat. That's why I posted the question. Your idea of connection is much cleaner, I already looked at it, but if there is better location towards the front of vehicle, the harness will accommodate that. But where?

 

[Antman]

Miss that part, sorry.

Is this true with all PIAA lights? After installing my Rigids I'm plan on using one my current lights in the rear and having all three options would be sweet.

You can do that with any "on/none/on" 3 way switch. I'll walk you through it when you're ready. Judging by recent posts I know your a little sloooow. Ha!! Still my bud though.

I do not have PIAA 1500 on hand yet, but I installed PIAA mod 40 single back up light on my 4th gen 4runner and I assume that the harness will be the same. Last time I tapped in into trailer connectors and it was not neat. That's why I posted the question. Your idea of connection is much cleaner, I already looked at it, but if there is better location towards the front of vehicle, the harness will accommodate that. But where?

It's at plug 2F- red wire-pin #4 under the dash. If you want to use that I can take a pic for you (easier than explaining it) tomorrow and post it up.

 

[phillyd2]

Just "slow"? That means I'm improving :cheers:

I guess I did not ask clearly enough. I've been looking at the piaa 30022 three way switch and was wondering if it's only for the 1500 lights or any.

It's been in my amazon wish list for a while. For under ten bucks I may just order it and give it a go.

 

[viktor17]

It's at plug 2F- red wire-pin #4 under the dash. If you want to use that I can take a pic for you (easier than explaining it) tomorrow and post it up.[/QUOTE]

We all know that picture worth thousand of words.
Many thanks in advance:artist2:

http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/characters/character0092.gif

 

[Nashvegas34]

3rd gen owner bombing a 5th gen thread. Forgive me. I did this on my 2000 and will do it again if and when said 2000 dies and I go to the 5th (or 6th?) gen.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...-also-how-not-short-out-your-whole-truck.html

I have a 3-position switch on the dash. 1) Manual on with aux power - tapped into the cigarette lighter wire, 2) Off, 3) On when in Reverse - tapped into the reverse light wire. I love it. They are great when in the country, great when backing up, and great on the one occasion I had to let an extremely aggressive driver know to back off.

Daytime:


Manual on:


Reverse on:


Back to lurking for me...

 

[Antman]

OK-

Here are some of my (in)famous pictures. This is the "reverse-hot" wire you will tap into under the dash. Plug#2F, Pin#4, Red wire.

Hope this helps- good luck!

 

[viktor17]

Antman, hank you again

Antman, I want to thank you for saving me lot's of time. ETA on my PIAAs 1500 is Friday, so I will be able to work on my lights on Saturday.
Grate forum, nice people to talk about our 4Runners!:hello:

 

[ThirdToy]

You also might find something in the trailer harness plug.

Hey Antman, any advice here? I'd like to tap into the wiring harness right under the rear of the vehicle rather than running wires all the way up to the dash. From what I have read, the reverse wire is usually the center of the 7-pin trailer harness (usually a purple color). Can you confirm this for me? Thanks so much!!! :thumb3:

 

[Antman]

You can source the power at either one of the reverse light plugs behind a tail light. Either side will work. The left plug is designated O12(gray), and the right is O13(gray). They are both 6 pin plugs. You want the red wire- looking into the plug, it's the bottom row third from the left.

You can source a ground anywhere, but if you want to use a ground at one of the plugs, it'll be the white/black wire- bottom row all the way to the right. :nerd:

Hey Antman, any advice here? I'd like to tap into the wiring harness right under the rear of the vehicle rather than running wires all the way up to the dash. From what I have read, the reverse wire is usually the center of the 7-pin trailer harness (usually a purple color). Can you confirm this for me? Thanks so much!!! :thumb3:

If you want to tap into the power at the rear of the vehicle, I would recommend that you tap into one of the wires I posted above: the reverse lights instead of the trailer harness wires.

Any time you splice and tap into wires under the vehicle- out in the elements- you run a higher risk of a poor connection over time.

But- to answer your question, it is definitely the center pin on the 7-pin trailer harness connection. I'm not sure of the color- can't seem to find it on the W/D. It should be obvious once you take the loom off to access the wires though.

Hope that helps some!

 

[ThirdToy]

If you want to tap into the power at the rear of the vehicle, I would recommend that you tap into one of the wires I posted above: the reverse lights instead of the trailer harness wires.

Any time you splice and tap into wires under the vehicle- out in the elements- you run a higher risk of a poor connection over time.

But- to answer your question, it is definitely the center pin on the 7-pin trailer harness connection. I'm not sure of the color- can't seem to find it on the W/D. It should be obvious once you take the loom off to access the wires though.

Hope that helps some!

Fantastic! You are the f-in man! One final question and to sort of clarify why I was planning on tapping into the trailer harness instead of inside. It was my understanding that the trailer harness reverse wire has it's own dedicated line from the inside fuse box. If I tap into the inside reverse lights, I would be pulling "x" amount more power through those wires that were probably only designed to power the stock rear bulbs. Please keep in mind, the reverse lights I'm adding are LED and probably won't really draw much power. I also already have LED's in the stock reverse lights (so my draw now should be less than stock anyway?). Do you think this would be too much draw on the inside reverse lights? I of course will wire them up with a fuse either way. Also how difficult is it to get a wire into the rear cabin from under the truck? I see the gromet under there, but looks pretty stuffed. I can always go the hanger route and jam it through and run the wire that way, but the combination of the trailer harness's dedicated reverse line and not having to fish wires into the cabin had me wanting to go that route. But I also understand the idea of connections out in the elements (nothing shrink tubing and 112 rolls of electrical tape can't fix). :lmao: