Tapping into dimmable lights circuit in cab?

[Oingoboingoagogo]

Hi everyone,

I’m back with another electrical question. I am installing an LED-backlit button next to my shifter and would like to tap into the circuit that dims certain lighting elements (using the buttons to the left of the steering wheel). This is to prevent the glare of a bright interior light when driving at night.

Does anyone know of an easy tap into the dimmable light power source? Is this even possible in newer Rangers?

Thanks!

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[airline tech]

There are 3 but 2 questions

Does the backlit button / switch have its own separate power source for the light only?
And if yes,
Is it a dimmable light?

If yes- you can tap into either switch on the front of the console or the shifter.
Now I do not know how the sensitive circuit will handle extra lighting being added, it may trigger the other lights on the circuit to not function correctly or trigger faults.
The lighting circuits are very sensitive due to the FET protection, circuit monitoring.

if this is a switch powered light and only one circuit then tapping into a dimming circuit will make the switch inop as you would be lowering the switch power and also short the circuit.

 

[OFC Ranger]

I recall someone on here at some point tapped into the factory system that would have used factory installed footwell lighting, it required him making a circuit board and actual soldering. A whole lot of custom work (relatively speaking when compared to simple splice/taps).

I don't remember his username or his thread title, this was many years ago.

 

[Oingoboingoagogo]

@airline tech Thank you for the info. There is a separate pole for the LED. I’ve read claims that the dash lighting level is controlled by PWM so hopefully this will work. Can you provide any more detail on the suggested tapping points? I’m not sure where to find a good wiring diagram.

@OFC Ranger Sounds like a fun project. Last night I had to bust out the soldering iron… and the Dremel. Both in the cab!? Lotta fun.

 

[airline tech]

Either one of the 2 front console switches would be the easiest.
The Shift Lever at one time was illuminated but that got deleted (Year?) however the wiring is still in the connecter for the shifter (Intergrated) with it.

But pull either switch - up front - Parking / ASS / Traction - Etc
and Pin #5 = Power and Pin #3 = Ground

Pin 1 - starts at the bottom

 

[Oingoboingoagogo]

thank you, @airline tech.?? I’ll dig around up front and see if I can find that switch.

I have a 2020, and I believe my shifter is illuminated. For the record, my button is next to the shifter, below the 4WD selector knob.

 

[Oingoboingoagogo]

Also @airline tech, since you are supremely knowledgeable, could you I ask you an electrical question?

I am rigging up my electric ooga horn today and wonder about the best grounding location for the horn, and my relay. I am wiring (fused) power to battery—and of course there is a relay controlling the horn.

But I read elsewhere that someone suggested to a similar poster: "By the way, do not ground your horn to the battery. Instead, ground to the frame." I was planning to just strap a ground wire under the small nut off the negative battery post. Is there something I'm missing here?

 

[RangerBill]

Also @airline tech, since you are supremely knowledgeable, could you I ask you an electrical question?

I am rigging up my electric ooga horn today and wonder about the best grounding location for the horn, and my relay. I am wiring (fused) power to battery—and of course there is a relay controlling the horn.

But I read elsewhere that someone suggested to a similar poster: "By the way, do not ground your horn to the battery. Instead, ground to the frame." I was planning to just strap a ground wire under the small nut off the negative battery post. Is there something I'm missing here?

You should find a bolt or screw for the fender or body sheet metal to ground your horn wiring. Using the battery negative terminal will bypass the BMS sensor (depending on which side of the sensor you connect to), so you should stay away from the negative battery terminal.

 

[Oingoboingoagogo]

@Ranger Bill thanks for your tip. Where is the BMS sensor? I had intended to ground the horn here:

 

[RangerBill]

@Ranger Bill thanks for your tip. Where is the BMS sensor? I had intended to ground the horn here:

You could use that location as it is on the chassis side connection to body ground, but I would ground to a fender bolt such as the bolt in the extreme lower right in your picture. The BMS sensor is the black rectangular device below your green circle.

 

[Oingoboingoagogo]

…but I would ground to a fender bolt such as the bolt in the extreme lower right in your picture.

Thank you Ranger Bill! What is the purpose of grounding to the fender in this case?

 

[RangerBill]

Thank you Ranger Bill! What is the purpose of grounding to the fender in this case?

It's good practice to do so and you are not going to disturb the BMS sensor. Your OEM horns are grounded to the body as well.

 

[airline tech]

thank you, @airline tech.?? I’ll dig around up front and see if I can find that switch.

I have a 2020, and I believe my shifter is illuminated. For the record, my button is next to the shifter, below the 4WD selector knob.

For Ref: I am talking about these switches - varies depending on options on how they are laid out.
Each row of switches should be a separate switch.

Borrowed Pic (Ref)

The Gear Shifter is the other location - that the backlighting was deleted. (PRNDS)

The 4WD - Switch is separate power.

 

[OFC Ranger]

With my Ranger I used the same body mount the factory used (red arrow). I had quite an extensive 12V system in place and never ran into issues.

 

[RangerBill]

With my Ranger I used the same body mount the factory used (red arrow). I had quite an extensive 12V system in place and never ran into issues.

I was going to suggest that location also, but removing that bolt to put another ring terminal on it would remove power to the truck and require resetting some devices and cause a powertrain re-learn to occurr.

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