light/electrical mod help...
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More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 523
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From: Indiana
light/electrical mod help...
I would like my parking lights to come on with the ignition. Wondering if someone could help a technically challenged guy with the specs. I would like to use one of the "keyed" upfitter switches to power the light circuit and figured one of you would know exactly how to do so. Wasn't sure if my tampering with it may interfer with the autolight operation. This is on an 08 F350 CC PSD. Thanks.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,752
Likes: 5
From: Stillwater, OK
I looked into this a while back...
The simple solution is to just find the wire in the headlight switch that controls the parking lights and make it think that the switch is turned when you turn the key...
Chances are it is just a 12v logic circuit. When the switch is turned it tells the computer that you want the parking lights on, and the computer closes the relay.
The CORRECT way to do it, would be to reprogram the truck to turn the parking lights on when the truck starts. Use whatever logic it uses to know if the engine is running to so it can lock out the heated mirrors. If you have the means to reprogram the truck, let me know... because I refuse to splice wires.
The simple solution is to just find the wire in the headlight switch that controls the parking lights and make it think that the switch is turned when you turn the key...
Chances are it is just a 12v logic circuit. When the switch is turned it tells the computer that you want the parking lights on, and the computer closes the relay.
The CORRECT way to do it, would be to reprogram the truck to turn the parking lights on when the truck starts. Use whatever logic it uses to know if the engine is running to so it can lock out the heated mirrors. If you have the means to reprogram the truck, let me know... because I refuse to splice wires.
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More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 523
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From: Indiana
No ability to reprogram and was hoping the circuit was accessible through the fuse block for the same reason you have about not splicing wires. But I suppose your idea would work well and I could run the power through an upfitter so that I can disable if needed...never know when I may want to stealthly stalk someone.
Anybody know which wire this would be coming off the headlight switch?
Anybody know which wire this would be coming off the headlight switch?
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,400
Likes: 319
From: Whittier, CA
This should be easy enough to do. But I don't have a schematic for an '08. In '07 and earlier, all the exterior lights were one big circuit and the wire color is dark brown. You would simply wire your upfitter into the nearest wire for that circuit and it would feed all of them. This includes front and rear park, mirror markers, cab lights, and dually marker lamps, if equipped.
It's probably going to be very similar for an '08, but I have heard the wire colors changed, so you need to figure that out. Which should be as easy as tracing the harness to any of those lamps I mentioned.
I don't think you will have any back feed problems, because there is a relay in the central junction block for the parking lamps. Unfortunately it is not one that is user replaceable, because that would have made this even easier.
FYI, it may be illegal to drive with parking lamps only.
It's probably going to be very similar for an '08, but I have heard the wire colors changed, so you need to figure that out. Which should be as easy as tracing the harness to any of those lamps I mentioned.
I don't think you will have any back feed problems, because there is a relay in the central junction block for the parking lamps. Unfortunately it is not one that is user replaceable, because that would have made this even easier.
FYI, it may be illegal to drive with parking lamps only.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,752
Likes: 5
From: Stillwater, OK
FYI, it may be illegal to drive with parking lamps only.
I gave up on the idea since I can't reprogram... I've just made it a habit to turn the headlight switch over one notch when I start the truck.
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More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 523
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
Yeah, I think the DRLs is probably the easiest way to go...or just cover the autolight sensor rather than spend the money on the module. I just thought the parking lights were bright enough to get the job done and on a cloudy day they look cool to boot. I am notorious for leaving the lights on when I use the manual switch. If anyone knows which wire it is for sure(from switch), I would still appreciate knowing. Thanks.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 82
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My 2009 has the factory remote start system, when used the parking lights are on until the key is in the ingition and turned on.
I would go to a local car stereo store, I got a system ( remote start ) put into my 2007 F350 6.0 and that truck did the exact same thing, they can tell what wires to use.
Good Luck
I would go to a local car stereo store, I got a system ( remote start ) put into my 2007 F350 6.0 and that truck did the exact same thing, they can tell what wires to use.
Good Luck
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Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 523
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From: Indiana
Correct...headlight off after about 15 min but have left parking lights on for well over an hour by mistake. I have a remote state that runs the parking lights...I will call Ziebart and ask them where they tapped the circuit. Thanks for the input.
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