Looking for interior light circuit

[Ranger Pete]

Picked up a 2020 Ranger XL. Just installed running boards. Would like to light them and will probably order the OPT7 sequential Running Board lights. I don't think I'll have trouble finding torn signal and running light connections. Most likely I will use wiring at the trailer hitch. Where id the best place to tap into the interior light circuit? I want the boards to light up white when I hit the remote unlock. Also, will tying into the 3 circuits cause any error issues?

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[RangerBill]

Picked up a 2020 Ranger XL. Just installed running boards. Would like to light them and will probably order the OPT7 sequential Running Board lights. I don't think I'll have trouble finding torn signal and running light connections. Most likely I will use wiring at the trailer hitch. Where id the best place to tap into the interior light circuit? I want the boards to light up white when I hit the remote unlock. Also, will tying into the 3 circuits cause any error issues?

Using trailer hitch wiring will likely cause the truck to think that a trailer is connected and may cause issues. The puddle light circuit is shown below but will probably need a relay to isolate and power your running board lights. The Puddle Lamp FET probably will not be able to handle the extra current directly.

 

[airline tech]

Picked up a 2020 Ranger XL. Just installed running boards. Would like to light them and will probably order the OPT7 sequential Running Board lights. I don't think I'll have trouble finding torn signal and running light connections. Most likely I will use wiring at the trailer hitch. Where id the best place to tap into the interior light circuit? I want the boards to light up white when I hit the remote unlock. Also, will tying into the 3 circuits cause any error issues?

So to confirm

You want - Park - Turn and only (Remote Unlock-Flash) - the same as the parking lights?
or
You want only the extra (Illuminated Entry) when the door is opened and closed, with an XL you do not have the Puddle Lights, but they share the same circuit as the cargo light, and you have that.

 

[Ranger Pete]

The OPT 7 running board lights I am looking at have 3 circuits (connections) + ground. Running lights, turn signals and interior lights. When headlights are on the light strips are amber, with turn signals they will flash. When a door is opened or remote unlock is triggered lights come on white.

 

[airline tech]

I just remembered this was covered before and I highlighted the Tap point for the (Entry/Exit)

Insstalling running board lights | 2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com

There are some adapters available (Aftermarket) that provide a cleaner tap for the Park & Turn instead of tapping into factory wiring

One is a side marker - from Custom Autoworks - Provides (Park) - I cannot locate my pic of this one

and this one - it comes pre-tapped for the (Park) so you would have to add another tap for the (Turn) - Would Require (2x) T-Harness

I will always push - spend the money to do it right over wire taps into an expensive harness, this way the only wire (tapping) is on the aftermarket harness (if extra tapping is required) if one is available or make your own

As far as the (Bed Lighting) circuit - I would have to dig to see if there is a (T-Harness) available that one could tap the circuit at the (CHMSL) which owners use to move the CHMSL to the toppers, I think I have seen some mentioning of one but not sure, so for this one - the easiest spot is where I have pointed out in the other thread (Location)

EDIT:
I realized that the post in the other thread is for - LED Lighting and as Ranger Bill Posted above - it is a direct run from the BCM to the CHMSL - so you will have to tap off of the BCM output feed wire if you want it to be easy access.

C2280F - Pin 26

 

[airline tech]

C2280 F - Pin 26

 

[Ranger Pete]

C2280 F - Pin 26

This is very helpful, is this fuse block behind the instrument panel on the drivers side? Also, connector C2280F pin 26 is that 12v when the interior lights are on? Thanks!

 

[airline tech]

This is very helpful, is this fuse block behind the instrument panel on the drivers side? Also, connector C2280F pin 26 is that 12v when the interior lights are on? Thanks!

Yes - This is the (BCM) Fuse Box - Driver's Side
This circuit is for (Cargo Light) - The Center lights that come on within the 3rd Brake Light

They come (ON) as (Entry/Exit) when the door is opened - along with park lights
They come (ON) as feedback to (Door Unlock - FOB) - along with park lights
They come (ON) when you hit the cargo light -Switch

The BCM can be finicky for adding any additional lighting to it without triggering faults, you also have to take into account that the (Bad & Interior) lights are (Theater Dimming) and I the OPT7 may give issues (operationally) at that transition - owners that have it installed have not reported any and they use the (Cargo Light) circuit for the Running Boards as well as the Lighted Sill Plates

 

[Superspirit]

I'm wondering if that would be a place to tap into for the stedi switch backlight. It's led.

 

[airline tech]

I'm wondering if that would be a place to tap into for the stedi switch backlight. It's led.

It would only be (ON) when the cargo (bed) lights are triggered on.

 

[Superspirit]

That's not what I want. I need a full time interior light source.

 

[Ranger Pete]

Yes - This is the (BCM) Fuse Box - Driver's Side
This circuit is for (Cargo Light) - The Center lights that come on within the 3rd Brake Light

They come (ON) as (Entry/Exit) when the door is opened - along with park lights
They come (ON) as feedback to (Door Unlock - FOB) - along with park lights
They come (ON) when you hit the cargo light -Switch

The BCM can be finicky for adding any additional lighting to it without triggering faults, you also have to take into account that the (Bad & Interior) lights are (Theater Dimming) and I the OPT7 may give issues (operationally) at that transition - owners that have it installed have not reported any and they use the (Cargo Light) circuit for the Running Boards as well as the Lighted Sill Plates

 

[Ranger Pete]

Thanks, looks like the best place to connect the white lights is C2280 F pin 26.

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