How to use cargo lights while out of park

[Grimloktt]

This modification maintains the stock cargo light switch and its associated stock functions. By installing a toggle switch, you are simply allowing current to pass through the stock fusing and through the stock relay to the lights. This is accomplished by providing ground to the control side of the relay, which energizes the relay to permit current to run through the cargo lights to ground. In short, it's safe.

Connect a wire from the yellow wire with blue stripe (comes off the cargo light relay in the below pic) to one side of your toggle switch.


Connect another wire to a ground and the other side of your toggle switch. I connected mine here:


Secure your toggle switch where desired and that's it! Easy...


I may change that style of toggle switch out with a flatter style, if it bothers the wife...

Cheers!

[shovelhd]

So, to recap, you tapped the yellow/blue wire, connected it to a SPST switch, with the other terminal to ground. When the switch is flipped, it grounds the yellow/blue wire, which turns on the cargo lights? And with the switch disengaged, the cargo lights work as usual?

[Grimloktt]

Originally Posted by shovelhd

So, to recap, you tapped the yellow/blue wire, connected it to a SPST switch, with the other terminal to ground. When the switch is flipped, it grounds the yellow/blue wire, which turns on the cargo lights? And with the switch disengaged, the cargo lights work as usual?

Yes, providing ground to the yellow wire w/ blue stripe turns on the lights.

Yes, when the switch is disengaged, the stock switch works like normal. Only use one or the other switch at a time. I'd recommend using the stock switch under all conditions except when not in park.

[Grimloktt]

Originally Posted by Lingered_I

It's Option 3 in the diagram here

Yes, that's exactly right. I think you have the manual. I decided against placing diodes in line b/c the stock switch is not a switch that you could switch on and off. While you push it, it completes the circuit. When you release it, it opens. (Plus I don't even know if they sell diodes you can just wire in series like that...)

[shovelhd]

That is a mod I am going to make the next time I pull my dash.

TIA for your engineering.

Chris

[Lingered_I]

I do have the manual and scanner, but thought that in the interests of copyright it wouldn't be a good idea to post the real picture.

You're right about the switch, so my options 1 and 2 won't work. The switch temporarily grounds, sending a signal to the MICU to create a ground for the relay. You can see this in action by turning the cargo lights on and moving the truck out of and back into Park. The cargo lights don't come on again.

I think I'll go back and remove my post as it's misleading.

[MrAC1980]

Hey guys, I took this one step further last night during my auto start install and pulled out the cargo light switch and replaced it with a similar size switch and wired it so the lights come on when I want through the switch.

[Grimloktt]

Originally Posted by MrAC1980

Hey guys, I took this one step further last night during my auto start install and pulled out the cargo light switch and replaced it with a similar size switch and wired it so the lights come on when I want through the switch.

I hope you don't fry your MICU, which provides control to just about everything electrical...

With the switch off, when you swing open your tailgate, does the lights come and stay on?

[MrAC1980]

Nope, no problems so far. Lights work when ever I want, with the tailgate open the lights work with no issues.

[Grimloktt]

Originally Posted by MrAC1980

Nope, no problems so far. Lights work when ever I want, with the tailgate open the lights work with no issues.

Could you please clarify that when you open your tailgate, WITHOUT THE SWITCH BEING ON, does your lights come and stay on (WITHOUT HAVING TO TURN ON THE SWITCH)?