Project: Failure

[CodeRed]

Well today i come home and a package is at my door, this was the start of the simple project....

Okay i orderd a set of led's to go under the foot wells for the front 2 seats. So i wired it up to the dome lamp fuse with an add-a-fuse mini hoping that when i shut the door, the led's would turn off, well they didnt! so i took them out if anyone knows how to and or can post a way to do it so then turn on/off with the dome lamp please post :0

[justmerging]

For this too work it will be a little more complex. Most dome lamps are controlled by a ground side switch. Meaning when the door is opened the switch makes contact to complete the circuit. The actual dome light is supplied with voltage at all times and the switch controls the ground side of the circuit. To do this properly would entail a lot of rewiring and removing of panels. The easy fix would be to run power from one blade of the fuse box The one that has power at all times to the power wire of the LED's and then run the ground wire from the LED's back to the other blade of the fuse box. An inline fuse (probably larger amp rating because of the load increase) would need to be added between the fuse box and the first LED to protect the circuit. This is not the proper way to do it but it will work. To properly do it you would need to run the ground wire from the LED to the switch in the door panel on each side and use the add a fuse as you orignially stated for the power wire.

[CodeRed]

thanks for the reply, do you know of any fuse's that turn on and off with ignition? or parking lights?

[justmerging]

I would have to go and look at my versa to give you a definitive answer. I'll go do it a little later tonight and get back to you either tonight or tomorrow.

[Kolk1]

Without going out and checking to tell you for sure, grab a test light, and see what fuses have voltage with the key in the ON position, and No voltage with the key not in the ignition. Then tap into that fuse.

[Clipsed]

Without going out and checking to tell you for sure, grab a test light, and see what fuses have voltage with the key in the ON position, and No voltage with the key not in the ignition. Then tap into that fuse.

Never use test lights anymore, these can actually do damage to the computer system if not used properly, or possibly set-off your air bags. Did you not say that you work at an audio shop? I hope you guys are not still using test lights, that is back in the 80's!!!

As I told you on AIM CodeRed, wait until I get back home, I will test for the wire, and give you a break down how to re-wire it properly with a relay not using the stock fuse box.

[c5neb]

thanks for the reply, do you know of any fuse's that turn on and off with ignition? or parking lights?

I wired my Nuvi and detector to the auxillary outlet between the seats. It is switched by the ignition.

[motoguy128]

I wired my Nuvi and detector to the auxillary outlet between the seats. It is switched by the ignition.

I also used this source for power for my trailer lights since it's a larger 15A circuit.

[seay1b1]

Never use test lights anymore, these can actually do damage to the computer system if not used properly, or possibly set-off your air bags. Did you not say that you work at an audio shop? I hope you guys are not still using test lights, that is back in the 80's!!!

As I told you on AIM CodeRed, wait until I get back home, I will test for the wire, and give you a break down how to re-wire it properly with a relay not using the stock fuse box.

i will agree on this point. a digital multimeter is the way to go with our cars. they are more expensive than a test light but not near as expensive as replacing an air bag or airbags in our case.

[Jemdawg]

Using a test light is fine if you know what you're doing. For someone who has no experience with them, though, a multimeter would be better and safer.

[Clipsed]

Using a test light is fine if you know what you're doing. For someone who has no experience with them, though, a multimeter would be better and safer.

**cough cough** Better to suggest a DMM and get into the habit of using it than a test light. I do not even have a test light in my tool box anymore, as I never use them installing ANYTHING anymore.

[Demonspawn]

What is a test light?

[Kolk1]

Yes, I have a FLuke 78 that I bought about 4 years ago, also have testers that read for positive and Ground, and have built in switchers, but yes, I do sometimes break out the good old basic test light. If your testing a Fuse in a fuse panel, I have NEVER heard of a test light doing damage. Never take a test light and just start shoving it into random wires under the dash, thats how **** goes wrong.

[Demonspawn]

i dont think i even have a test light in my toolbox!i have always used a MM i just have a fairly decent radio shack model now but it has served me well it is more of a fluke copy anyways.