I am in the process of modding my tailgate with a power lock and solenoid to pop it open, both with the remote, and a push button in the console.

I can wire all of this without difficulty, but am not sure how to disable the console button when the truck is running, or ideally when the truck is in gear, so as to prevent the tailgate from opening if the button is pushed while driving.

I'm guessing that a relay would solve this issue.

I haven't come up with anything on the site while searching yet.

Can anyone give me a basic rundown on what relay I would need and how to include it to make this work. Also if you know of a link to basic relay wiring, etc that would be helpful as well.

Thanks very much for any advice......

 

While the truck is running is easy, use an add-a-fuse in the radio fuse slot to power a relay.

The button in the console is wired to the normally closed contact on the 5 pin relay ( not the same P/N as an aux lamp relay, but looks the same dimensionally wise ). Wire the switch to pin 30, and the continuation of the wire to pin 87a.



This way while the radio is on ( accessory delay relay driven, so until time expires or the door is open ) the button in the console is dead, as the relay has pin 30 connected to pin 87 ( normally open contact pairs ).

Summary :
pin 85 to hot in run / accy position ( i.e. radio )
pin 86 to ground
pin 30 to the switch in the console
pin 87a to the tailgate popper

This is a device with only power applied to make it work ( no reverse direction ) ?

To do with the truck in drive is a bit more involved, and you would need to use the DTR as the input to the relay. This seems like a bad place ( IMHO ) to be tapping power from. If you are interested in that, let us know, and we can get the wires to use.

 

That's great SScully, much appreciated.

I am powering a solenoid, as far as I know it will only require power to activate it momentarily via a push / momentary switch. The internal spring mechanism in the solenoid will return it to it's non powered position.

Although I'm sure that your schematic answers everything, I haven't used relays in any of my projects to date, and am still a little unclear.

For my own clarification I have added a few things to your drawing, could you please have a look and let me know if this is correct.




Thanks again....

 

The drawing on the left is it.
This way when the radio is off ( accy delay time out or key not in assy or run positions, door open ) , that push button will work.

When the radio can operate, the contacts that are together ( 30 & 87 ) lead to nothing, so the button won't do anything.

The callout box about the switch open, really does not need to be on the let anymore, you changed where the coil gets power from.

 

That will do exactly what I was wanting, Thanks again...

 

Just curious. After u now have the push build thin wired. How do u wire up the tail gate popper to the alarm remote??