Reverse Light Wiring Question

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avslash

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Has anyone figured out a way to add a switch to their reverse lights to activate them whenever desired, but still retain the stock functionality of switching on when shifting into reverse?

I have been looking around to add some work lights to my rig, but placing them on the roof rack means they will be obscured when the hatch is open, and I don't really want anything hanging off the rear bumper.

Seems like adding some bright LED bulbs to the reverse lights would be a good solution if the switching can be worked out. Anyone know the how and where the factory switch functions and is located?
 

DirtyHal

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What about a flush mount style light in the bumper? I too have also wanted some brighter reverse lights.
 

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What about a flush mount style light in the bumper? I too have also wanted some brighter reverse lights.

I have thought about that, but not real sure there is room between the TR steel bumper I have, and the factory inner metal bumper underneath.

Anybody have a wiring schematic that shows location of reverse light switch and/or wire color for reverse light +12V?
 

Michael Gain

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I have thought about that, but not real sure there is room between the TR steel bumper I have, and the factory inner metal bumper underneath.

Anybody have a wiring schematic that shows location of reverse light switch and/or wire color for reverse light +12V?

PM me your email. Looks like a green with red stripe off of the central junction box's reverse lamp relay.

The tail light harnesses have their own ground as part of the harness. You should be able to run 12v to a switch and then to the green red wire. Turning it on will complete the circuit and turn on the reverse lights.
 

Michael Gain

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Or, thinking out loud, just run a wire to fuse 12, to your switch, and switch to 12v.

Screenshot_20210113-123048.png
 

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No problem, brother. Let me know if you have any questions about the documents.

I think that should do it, as long as I can find the wire coming out of the CJB.

I'm thinking marine type on/off/on switch. One input to switch from Green/Red wire, one input to switch from constant +12V source, both outputs of switch tied to Green/Red wire. Should give me 1 switch position where power is applied to reverse lights through the factory reverse sensing (this would be the standard switch position), one switch position where the reverse lights are always off, and one switch position where the reverse lights activate regardless of ignition or reverse switch position.

Now I'm off to find the brightest LED bulbs I can fit in there.
 

Jimmy Brooks

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Can’t you turn on or off the reverse lights with the IID tool in the test section? I know you can do this with the front headlights but I haven’t tried it with the reverse lights.
 

avslash

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Been thinking of @Michael Gain suggestion, and might be overthinking this, but wanted to check.

If I simply popped an "add a fuse" into the fuse 12 slot and then wired the pigtail of the "add a fuse" to switched 12V, that should accomplish what I am trying to do, correct? Reverse lights would come on when factory switch activated, or would illuminate when switch on the "add a fuse" pigtail was activated.

I was originally thinking this would not be a good idea, because if I inadvertently left the "add a fuse" switch in the on position, and then shifted into reverse the circuit would then be fed with two +12V inputs at the same time. However, after getting home and relaxing with a beer, I'm thinking it wouldn't matter. The electrical potential of the circuit is the same, as both +12V inputs share the same electrical potential since they are being fed by the same battery and routed to the same ground.

Someone better at DC wiring take a look at the diagram below and chime in here. If both inputs to fuse 12 are "hot" at the same time, am I still at 12V and 5 amps to the reverse lights?

Reverse Lights.jpg
 

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