Interior light switching

[Mark Smith Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark Smith]

This is a question for all the electrickary experts. The interior lights have 3 switch positions. Off, on with the doors and on all the time. There are only 2 wires going to the lights. +'ve and -'ve.

The cars auto off function kicks in after a while and shuts the lights off if you leave a door open, yet you can override this by going to the "on all the time" position. I have fitted a decent LED light bar in the cargo area which works brilliantly and is wired to the + and - supply. What's the trick to getting it staying on all the time when the tail gate is open for a while eg beach fishing. Is it some kind of earth trickary and if so, how can I wire this LED to have the option of being on all the time without runnig new wires all the way to the battery supply?

Many thanks

Mark

[borgy Member Find all posts View Profile Close borgy]

Re: Interior light switching

Had a little oh did't know that moment today!

I suspect I may be the only one who did not know this BUT just incase :-

Did you know: (on the 120's anyway)

The Courtersey Lights in the Sunglass holder console have a switch as we know for Off or On when doors open BUT if you actually depress the clear plastic light covers they TURN the light ON or OFF!

This is great!! just what I wanted - was thinking of doing a 3way switch instead but don't have to now!

Anyway thought I would write it up ...

Cheers
Borgy

[Leethal Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Leethal]

Re: Interior light switching

Mark,

I think you may have sussed this out by now but if you haven't ......

Power supply => Positive wire
Door switched earth => Negative wire

Light switch earth => Body of vehicle through one of the mounting screws which has a metal plate under it connected to the switch.

You have to remember that Prado's switch the negative (earth), the light switch selects the negative either via the door switch to earth
or
direct to the vehicle body through a small metal tab under one of the mounting screws.

If you have connected your LED light bar to the pos and neg posts of the existing globes cradle then the normal switch will suffice.

Lee