Hi guys,

So i wired up some aux reverse lights (just some cheap/small headlights), and when i hooked the battery back up:

-toggle switch is always lit (even with no key)
-lights won't illuminate

What's this mean? Did i ground wrong - does each light need to be ground separately? I simply connected the two ground leads, and grounded it at the ground point for the tails (driver side).

I followed the directions to wire up the lights...just spliced into some longer wire to get them to the back. Also followed some points from a write up on here.

Any advice? Thanks!

 

The switch being always lit, I am going to take a SWAG that you have the power ( for the switch ) where the ground should be, and ground where the power out should be, and the power in is to the aux lamps.

This would have the indicator on all the time and when you turn on the switch, you are connecting ground to the aux lamps ( so it is ground and ground ).

Be detailed about the testing, else you are going to eat up fuses ( I have been there myself by doing testing on auto pilot ).

If this is a switch to operate a relay, verify that the line fuses are in the correct place and the correct size.

1. pull the terminals from the back of the switch, and connect the power in for the switch to the lead to the relay.
- The aux lamps should illuminate.

2. Use a meter ( ohm setting ) on the switch to find the power in and power out, if you do not have the documentation.
- the switch contacts should have 0 ( or close to 0 ) ohms when closed, and infinity when open.

3. Once you know which 2 are the switch, use the ohm setting for each of these to ground.
- The power "in" or to the switch should have a resistance of infinity with the switch on or off.
- The power "out" or to the relay should have a high resistance.

If step #1 fails, check that there is power ( use a meter on DCV or a test light ) on the power "in" to the switch and check that the relay is correctly grounded and that there is power on terminal #30 on the relay ( could be a different numbering system, but it is the common ).

Here is a block diagram for aux lamps that might help with the relay and switch parts. your setup should have the switch where the A or B or C section is at.

 

Ugh...that's exactly what it was! I thought i had followed the diagram exactly, but apparently had the power in the ground position :S. Don't i feel dumb.

Oh well, fixed and working...thanks for the dunce slap!