I didn't know which forum to ask this in...

I added a bunch of lighted rocker switches to control some new engine management tools and toys.

They light up when you switch them to the On position.

For the light power source can I splice a line off the light that lights up the gear indicator?

If not what other power source should I use?

 

All the lighted rocker switches that I have used have 3 spades on the back. 1 is ground. 1 is power. 1 is what you want the switch on. Well, we know ground is ground. Run directly to the chassis. You know what you want the switch on.... so there you go. And power. Depends if you want power there all the time. Even with the engine off? Or just when the engine is running? Either way a good place to look would be the fuse box to the left of the steering wheel. (you have to open the door to see it) Both types of power sources are there, plus they are close to where you want the switch.

 

you could tap into that wire depending on how much current your switch lights will draw and how many you have. If it draws too much you may blow the fuse for that curcuit. The proper way to do it is to use a relay. You can get one from radio shack for $10, that's what I would do.

If you don't need it switched (light comes on only when the car is on) then just run a fused wire directly to the battery.

 

Yes it is the 3 spade design switch. There are four of them so I guess I shouldn't risk blowing the fuse.

I was looking to only have them on actually when the headlights came on.

Is there power for this in the fuse box as well?


I'll check for a relay from radio shack as well.

 

If it draws less than 10 amps of current you could get 12v at the cig lighter or behind the radio. You could also drop the front dash (only 3 or 4 7mm screws i think?) and get 12v at one of the red main power wires going to the steering column (they are rated around 30 or so amps i think).

 

Cool.

But how would I make it so they come on only at night when the headlights come on?

 

If you use a relay take 87 to the part of the switch that needs 12v to turn on, 30 to 12v from the ign column, 85 to the wire that gets 12v when you turn the lights on and 86 to ground. 87a is unused and i believe that should work...

 

Wicked.

I'll try that this week.

 

Yep, that will work. you can get a wire that's switched with the lights from behind the headlight switch.

 

Thanx again.

I'll try to get around to it next week.