Adding under dash courtesy lights

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Mar 10, 2004 | 07:07 PM

nickmobile67

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Adding under dash courtesy lights

Got a set of under dash courtesy lights out of a xlt bronco over the weekend. (it was an 80-86) and I want to put them in my 86. I looked all around, even took off a kick panel, but I don't see any wire like the one in the donor truck had. Are they in there? Where would I find them? If they arn't there, how can I tap off the doorjamb switch without splicing wires? the plug has three tabs on it 120* apart.

Mar 10, 2004 | 08:56 PM

BillyBob69

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From: Wheatland, Mo

The door switches work on a ground switch. WHen you open the door, it supplies ground to complete the circuit. As for the not tapping into another wire....if you cant locate the original..then you have no choice.

Mar 10, 2004 | 09:18 PM

jims89bronco

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Why not a splice? It's pretty simple and clean if you do it correctly. An example is these splice connectors. You just hook the connector over the supply wire, insert the new wire to be spliced, and clamp down so the metal bites both wires...then snap the cover closed and your done! Or use but connectors for better reliability...they both work and are easy to do.

I wouldn't forget the idea just over a simple splice!

Last edited by jims89bronco; Mar 10, 2004 at 09:50 PM.

Mar 10, 2004 | 09:38 PM

BroncoRoadKill

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From: San Antonio, Texas

Those are the worst connectors ever built, they work themselves loose, corode very well, and they just look like half assed crap. They will get you home, but you should replacethem first chance you get. Go and get a good set of crimping pliers and buttsplices and do it right, I am still in the process of replacing connections on my bronco, cause of the previes owner. If your connecting wires that are not in the cab, then get uninsulated buttsplices and some heatshrink.
I worked at an auto electric shop for over 2 years and was taught by a man that has done it for 30 years and I have seen those clips fail all too many times.

Mar 10, 2004 | 09:41 PM

donnor

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From: Missouri - Lake of the Oz

adding courtey lights

The door switches on Fords turn on the lights by providing current from the always hot green with yellow tracer wire to the black with blue tracer wire. (I believe these are circuits 56 & 57 on a wiring diagram.) Find a workable spot behind the kick panels on each side, make your splice, tape as needed, & reinstall the kick panels.

An earlier post erroneously stated that the switch completes circuit to ground; that is a Mopar thing.

dn.

Mar 10, 2004 | 11:45 PM

Mil1ion

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The direct plug-in for them is behind the cluster.
You have to remove it to get at the connector

Mar 11, 2004 | 08:19 AM

nickmobile67

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Thanks for the replies. I HATE those wire taps, they are crap. That's how kids with thier ricers hook up the big tachs, 'cause they don't know how to do it right.

I've got all kinds of electrical connectors, but I see no good way to tap off of the connector at the door jamb without cutting the wires, which I'm avoiding.

So Mil1ion, the wires are there, but behind the cluster? What about the one on the passanger side, is that there too? And I'd have to run it accross the dash? Or is it on the other side in that group of wires right below the dash pad?