I've installed a set of KC lights on the front of my truck, and have all the wiring done, except for tapping into a power source for the switch I put in the cab. I would like to get into the high beam lead, so they lights will come on when the I kick the brights on (as long as the KC supplied switch is on) . KC's installation instruction kinda makes me think this can't be done on my model year, but I've see guys on here who said they have aux lights that come on with their high beams.

Basically what I need to know is where can I find the lead for the high beam.

And if I decide to change my mind, what would be a good choice for a lead that is always hot if the ignition is on, and where can I go about finding it.

My truck is an 04 STX

I'll get some pics up when this is all done and said.

 

JC:
I wired my KC lights hot all the time. Took power right off the battery for both leads.

Mike

 

You didn't have any problems with power drain or the like?

 

shouldnt as long as the engine is running

 

You are planning to use a relay right?

The stock wiring is thin enough to barely run the headlight bulbs origionally.

Adrianspeeder

 

JC:
No, no problems with power drain. I use them more at night/early morning so I don't forget to turn them off. I use the stock fogs with headlights in rain, etc.

Mike

 

If the KC installation kit you have is using a switch to power a relay coil, then you can get the high beam wire in one of 2 places.

1. Inside the cab, from the MFS heading towards the Central Juntion box ( at the base of the steering wheel column or pin #9 in the MFS in the column ) Yellow wire is the output of the MFS to the high beam relay coil +12v

2. Under the hood, at the bulb connector Light Green w/ black stipe.

This is only if you are using a relay to control the power to the KC lamps. If not, get one.
The MFS will not take the direct load of the KC lamps, and burn out on you, causing a 70.00 bill for a new MFS. That is if they will even run, the fuse F40 / 20 AMP is what is feeding the MFS, and adding the direct laod of the KCs to this circuit will most likely pop that fuse ( 55 W each bulb is 4.58 AMPs each, which is a total load of 9.16 AMPs ).

The output of the high beam relay that the MFS activates is fused via F35 / 20 AMP. take the 9.16 AMPs ( again if the lamps are 55W each ) add this to the 60W per high beam element ( 5 AMPs each, 10 AMPs total ) and you are at 19.16 AMPs calculated, which is over the 80% rule for fusing ( look fo rthis to pop on a regular basis, and maybe cause a new 13.00 high beam relay to be installed best case / worse case = you don't want to be that guy ).

 

SScully
Good info man! Ya, the KC kits come with a 40amp relay, wire harness and switch. Instructions in kit show how to hook up w/highbeam wire,etc. Personally, I wired mine direct. I don't like tapping into factory harness if I can help it.

Mike

 

I need to watch my assumptions. Joe just reminded me again on the blower motor thread ( EATC vs manual ) that just because you hear hoves, and think horses, don't be suprise that a zebra is standing there ( aka, ask before jumping into the answer ).
I just took the assumption ( safe one ) that he got 2 KC lamps on a garage sale ( or eBay ) that were just that, 2 lamp heads. That is why I went into painful description on the "why not to be that guy"

 

No prob man. I just assumed he purchased a kit (maybe I should watch my assumptions)

Mike

 

Thanks a lot guys. I guess I should be a little more thorough in my questions. I did buy a kit new from KC with the relay and everything. I'm drawing the power for the lights straight from the battery, but I was just looking for the high beam lead for the relay.

So if I understand you correctly, I'm looking for a yellow wire at the base of the steering column. I know I couldn't take power from this for the lights, but I shouldn't have any problems with just using it for the relay?

 

That is it, got the EVTM 85-1 ( headlamps ) uploaded today :


You can track the yellow wire from the MFS back to the Central Junction Box, or start with the coil on the high beam relay, back to the MFS for the same circuit path.

Connector C2028 is the connector on the MFS itself, you can see where the yellow wire ( coil power for the high beam relay ) is pin #9.

Thanks for the info on the equipment you got, I did not want to keep making assumptions these days

 

Thanks sscully. I got it all finished today. I don't have alot of electrical experience, and I had a hard time interpreting that wiring diagram, not too mention there are several yellow wires under the steering column, and I couldn't quite follow where they were going, so I just went ahead and tapped into the lead under the hood by the headlamp. Everything works perfectly. I appreciate all your help.

 

Finally got some pics of the lights...