micl9
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EDIT - If you have a Lariat this will also turn on your puddle lamps! This is the stock functionality, when you turn on the cargo lights the puddle lights also come on. I just finished adding Lariat mirrors to my XLT (XLariaT) and wired them this way.
see POST
My old Frontier had this function from the factory. When you put the truck in reverse the cargo lights would also come on. Once I upgraded to brighter LEDs for the cargo lights it was a great feature with a back up camera.
If you want to keep a stock look and easily add more backup light keep reading.
I spent a bunch of time mapping this out and confirming functionality. Used the wiring diagrams and a multi-meter to be sure. Now I just finished making the mod and it works great.
The Cargo dash switch is a momentary switch that sends a gnd signal to the BCM telling it to turn on the Cargo Lights. Another press will shut them off. The BCM will also turn them off after the truck is locked or you go above a few MPH, in forward or reverse.
So all that is needed is one relay triggered off the reverse line and wired for a momentary negative output. This is done using a cap and a resistor as show. The12VOLT.com is a great source of all thing 12V related and a ton of relay setups. I am not affiliated with the site, but a long time user. One other thing to note is the diode across the coil. I am not 100% clear on what it does, but they recommend it to keep voltage spikes from going back into the harness when the relay is de-energized. ie it protects your truck electronics. This can be added externally to the relay or you can buy a relay with the diode built in. THIS is the one I used.
I plan to NOT use a common ground just to be careful - as I don't want the possibility of the reverse 12V getting to the BCN signal input.
Below is the wiring diagram I have put together and represents how I wired my truck. Wires shown as solid are stock wiring, those shown as dashed are the wires I added. Tapping in at the BCM (right below the cargo lt sw) will keep all the wires short and localized.
Speaking of taps I used Posi-Taps over T-tap crimp style as the later can damage the harness and the Posi-Taps are easily removed leaving only a small hole in the harness wire insulation.
I used THESE LEDs to brighten up the Cargo Lights. These are the same as I had in my Frontier and they lasted at least 5 yrs before I sold it.
Total cost was probably $20-30, including the LEDs (and the Posi-Taps are not cheap!!!). Full parts List with links below
FOLLOW THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK. But it did work for me, Install pictures to follow.
Parts List
Install guide in next post
Video further down HERE
Cap and resistor wiring HERE
see POST
My old Frontier had this function from the factory. When you put the truck in reverse the cargo lights would also come on. Once I upgraded to brighter LEDs for the cargo lights it was a great feature with a back up camera.
If you want to keep a stock look and easily add more backup light keep reading.
I spent a bunch of time mapping this out and confirming functionality. Used the wiring diagrams and a multi-meter to be sure. Now I just finished making the mod and it works great.
The Cargo dash switch is a momentary switch that sends a gnd signal to the BCM telling it to turn on the Cargo Lights. Another press will shut them off. The BCM will also turn them off after the truck is locked or you go above a few MPH, in forward or reverse.
So all that is needed is one relay triggered off the reverse line and wired for a momentary negative output. This is done using a cap and a resistor as show. The12VOLT.com is a great source of all thing 12V related and a ton of relay setups. I am not affiliated with the site, but a long time user. One other thing to note is the diode across the coil. I am not 100% clear on what it does, but they recommend it to keep voltage spikes from going back into the harness when the relay is de-energized. ie it protects your truck electronics. This can be added externally to the relay or you can buy a relay with the diode built in. THIS is the one I used.
I plan to NOT use a common ground just to be careful - as I don't want the possibility of the reverse 12V getting to the BCN signal input.
Below is the wiring diagram I have put together and represents how I wired my truck. Wires shown as solid are stock wiring, those shown as dashed are the wires I added. Tapping in at the BCM (right below the cargo lt sw) will keep all the wires short and localized.
Speaking of taps I used Posi-Taps over T-tap crimp style as the later can damage the harness and the Posi-Taps are easily removed leaving only a small hole in the harness wire insulation.
I used THESE LEDs to brighten up the Cargo Lights. These are the same as I had in my Frontier and they lasted at least 5 yrs before I sold it.
Total cost was probably $20-30, including the LEDs (and the Posi-Taps are not cheap!!!). Full parts List with links below
FOLLOW THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK. But it did work for me, Install pictures to follow.
Parts List
Install guide in next post
Video further down HERE
Cap and resistor wiring HERE
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