I looked through about every thread on this site regarding electrical systems and couldn't find anything about it. Has anyone tried to install a custom, separate switch to activate the cargo light? Right now the Ford factory setup is wired to the dome lights and I'd like it separate.

Anyone a wiring guru or have any input? I know I could easily hard wire one but I'd like to wire it so it has the smart shut-off just like the dome lights.

Any help is appreciated!

 

There was a post a long time ago at TheDieselStop.com about wiring a zenier diode and switch into the circuit. The diode would prevent backward flow of the power. I'll see if I can find it and post a link to it here.

 

thank you.

 

Ya I really miss that function from my old Chevy.

I'm also interested.

shybz you could just wire it off your ignition. then when the key was turned off the light would go off.

 

you are saying tap into the ignition power wire and run a switch off of that to the cargo lights? That would only enable it to be on if the truck was on--correct? That is definitely an option.

thank you.

 

ya there are quite a few wires that run off the ignition switch. radio, blinkers, wipers, etc. radio may be a bad idea due to noise.

 

do you have schematics or know where i can get a wiring breakdown?

 

No but you can find where the wipers are from the fuse location. then find the wire that feeds the wipers. get a test light and make sure that the power turns off and on with the ignition switch. then just tap off of that wire.

solder is best!

 

The correct way woudl take running some wire to / from the cargo lamps.

Use a SPDT on-off-on ( or on-on no center off if you would like to ) switch so you do not get power to the other interior lamps.

Here is the diagram without fishing for the interior lamp circuit in the driver's side kick panel ( by the parking brake ).


If you want to, you can locate the Ckt 53 in the driver's side kick panel, and only run a single wire from the headliner CHMSL area to the dash, but that might not be worth the hunting trip ( running the 1st wire anyway, just go with 2 ). I used flat 4 wire colors ( trailer wire ) just to show the difference, obviously wire is wire, you just need to know which is which at the dash.

The center off ( on-off-on ) SPDT would allow for the center to be off ( I know duh, no flames ) on with the interior lamp ( factory function ) or on when the battery saver relay is active ( key on, or until the time runs out by the GEM control ), sans interior lamps.

Hope this helps, good luck

 

SPDT? It helped, but a little confusing.

 

SPDT = Single pole double throw It is a switch type