I have added 12v ambient lighting (doors, footwells, glovebox, cupholders) to my truck. Currently that ambient lighting is powered by upfitter switch 4. Upfitter switch 4 only gets power when key is in ON position. I also want my ambient lighting to come on when I open any door.

My plan to solve dilemma: I want to add a seperate 12v line from battery to a relay, using cargo light curcuit as the switching circuit, wired to pin 86 on relay. The cargo light circuit energizes when doors are opened and goes off shortly afterward. I also want to keep the existing power from upfitter switch 4 to power ambient lights when cargo lights are off.

Expected behavior: The ambient lights will come on regardless of upfitter switch position when doors are open and cargo light circuit powered. When doors are closed and cargo light circuit is not powered I will be able to turn ambient lights on and off with upfitter switch 4.

My question: I should have no problems backfeeding power to the battery via the cargo light relay as long as I run a separate power wire straight to battery right? For context, there will be situations where both the upfitter switch 4 is sending power to the ambient lights AND cargo light relay is sending power to ambient lights.


In conclusion: i think this will work fine, SINCE I am powering the relay (using cargo light as switching circuit, pin 86 on relay) with a separate dedicated power line straight to battery, thus the only thing I will backfeed power to is the battery.


Is this logic sound? I greatly appreciate the insanity check. Cheers.


Pictures (the ambient lights are on only because key is in ON position):

 

If something is not clear I am happy to add more info for clarity.

 

Why are you running a separate 12V circuit when you already have the aux switch #4 available? Run a parallel tap placed before the #4 aux switch that is relay controlled by the door ajar switch, then you won't have to worry about multiple paths for return current. If the Key-on power is an issue, aren't there other aux switches that are constant 12V? Are you using those already?

A single-line or diagram is always helpful as well.

 

I am thinking through the parallel tap before the upfitter switch. I will need some time to process how do do this.

Regarding why key on power is an issue, I do not want to have to remember to flip the upfitter switch every time I get out of the truck. Yes, you are correct there are constant 12v upfitter switches, but utilizing those and i would be stuck with having to flip the switch every time in got in and out the truck.

I will try to draw up a line dragram to make this easier to understand! Thanks!

 

For clarity

I want 4 things:
1.) Ambient lights to come on when doors are opened
2.) Ability to run ambient lights when doors are not open and key is in ON position
3.) Ability to manually turn off ambient lights if needed when key is in ON position
4.) Automate the lights to work without manual input.

Right now I can do 2, 3, and 4, with upfitter switch 4.

I need a way to energize the circuit when doors are opened and a way that having multiple return paths for current is not an issue.

I appreciate the help.

 

If you run a parallel normally open relay with switch #4 that is controlled with the ajar circuit, then task #1 will be accomplished. The only control you will not have is to turn off the ambient lights when the doors are open. Both the ajar and #4 circuits will be electrically separate and on their own fuses.

 

Thank you for the explanation. So i need to either tap fuse 7 with a fuse tap or I need to search in the auxiliary relay box for a white-red wire to splice into, running the door switch relay circuit parallel to upfitter switch 4 relay, then splice the parallel line back into gray-brown wire.

This should be fun.

 

Correct. Keep in mind SBF03 is 'hot at all times', and not powered just when key on. I cannot tell from the diagram if #4 relay is controlled from a 'key on' position only.
I would also downsize F7 to a 5 amp fuse.

 

you're the man! I already found the white-red wire and it looks easy enough to run the splice off the red-white wire out the bottom of the auxiliary relay box for a clean install.

I will downsize the fuse.

Here is the diagram that connects to 140-9:

D is upfitter relay #4. And auxiliary switches 151-54 is the switches in the cab.

I am just going to stick a volt meter on fuse 7 to confirm if it is hot at all times. The electronics in these trucks are a doozy for an amateur like myself.

 

Volt meter confirmed f7 is hot at all times.

thank you again for your guidance and expertise.

 

Okay, looks like CBP22 for the up-fitter switch relay control is hot in 'key on' only, so you should be okay using #4 and not worrying about draining the battery if left on.

 

Got it done. What a job. Actually this whole ambient light project has been a chore.

Thanks again.

 

Just wanted to say I think it looks really great.
Really awesome result.
I dont think I'd have the patience to do all that work.
2 trucks ago, I pulled all the interior panels to put in new speakers and put on soundproofing "stuff", but that was a lot of work and not sure I could tackle it again. Though your project is inspiring...looks awesome.

On a side note, apparently my '22 has some factory ambient lighting. I just today discovered where the menu was (i didnt find the menu in the dash menu, but then found it in the sync menu).
Now need to wait until dark to figure out which lights are included.

 

Thank you for the kind words. I appreciate that you appreciate how much work it was. I took the time to add plugs everywhere it makes sense (examples, door panels, center console cupholders, glove box) I also crimped the pins and added the female and male pins to each of the door connectors for a factory like install.

What trim is your truck? i believe any trim, lariat ultimate or higher will have factory ambient lighting. My truck (XLT) had some ambient lighting in the phone tray and center console however that was tied into the accessory circuit is stays on until the truck goes to sleep and has no associated user interface in Sync. Good chances if you have the menu in Sync you have factory ambient lighting. 😀

 

I have the same RC under seat tool box and kick plate covers. The tool box is great. Is that RC seat covers? How they fit? I was thinking of getting them.