cab light wiring issue
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: mt airy, georgia
cab light wiring issue
Just installed cab lights. Wired to new switch on dash so lights work independently. Got all 5 lights wired to lead wire which is hooked on middle of switch. Got wire ran to positive terminal of battery, and good ground on non-painted metal. Light on the switch comes on, but not one of my cab lights will come on. Why is this? I dont understand why. Im not to good with wiring but I know it has power going to it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
For diagnostics hook your lights main power lead directly to the battery (ideally through a fuse). I take an in-line fuse holder and hook one end up to the lights power lead and touch the other to the positive terminal. If your lights come on the problem is in your switch (or switch wiring). If not, then the problem is in your lights and/or wiring.
To go off your headlight switch, if you can find the plug Fastback460 heard about, that would be best. Probably an easier thing to find would be a running light or tail light wire, maybe even the tail light feed to the trailer harness. That'll be easy, but you end up with more lights on the circuit than it was intended for, which could result in blown fuses.
To go off your headlight switch, if you can find the plug Fastback460 heard about, that would be best. Probably an easier thing to find would be a running light or tail light wire, maybe even the tail light feed to the trailer harness. That'll be easy, but you end up with more lights on the circuit than it was intended for, which could result in blown fuses.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,476
Likes: 224
From: Frequently frozen MN
Just checking to be sure here. Did you run the ground to the lights?
The reason that I ask is that you said that the light on the switch comes on. This makes me think that the switch has power and ground connected to it, but the lights are only getting power from the switch.
If the bare metal ground that you mentioned does go to the lights, you might check that it's an actual ground. Some metal parts are isolated.
If you haven't solved this by now, you might post some more details on the connections -- including all of the connections to the switch.
Best of luck,
hj
The reason that I ask is that you said that the light on the switch comes on. This makes me think that the switch has power and ground connected to it, but the lights are only getting power from the switch.
If the bare metal ground that you mentioned does go to the lights, you might check that it's an actual ground. Some metal parts are isolated.
If you haven't solved this by now, you might post some more details on the connections -- including all of the connections to the switch.
Best of luck,
hj
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 51
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From: mt airy, georgia
I got it worked out. But yes I had it grounded. The switch had the 3 prongs, one to positive battery and one to ground and one wire to lights. Lights wouldnt not work with ground wire attached to switch. But without the ground it works fine. So I just did away with that switch and used my old toggle switch from my fog lights that doesnt have a ground on it. Thought it was weird with no ground. But lights are grounded their selves through the screw into the roof the way they are made. Thanks for all the advice I appreciate it!
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