1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Any fuses/relays under the hood that are only hot when the engine is on?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by azchris, Jan 2, 2012.

  1. Jan 2, 2012 at 10:58 AM
    #1
    azchris

    azchris [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2009
    Member:
    #26930
    Messages:
    466
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Gilbert, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2013 Magnetic Grey Dbl Cab 4x4 TRD OffRoad
    Click sig for build thread
    Hey all :D I have a light that I'm trying to wire to be on only when the engine is on. Like the running lights, I guess. My first thought was to tap the running lights' relay, but it's inside the cab and I want to avoid running another wire through the firewall if I can.

    I don't need to draw my power from this, I already have a relay set up. I just need to find out if any of the relays or fuses in the engine bay fuse box are hot only on ignition so I can tap my relay into it. I was hoping someone here might know, before I have to get out my multimeter and check each one with the truck on and off.
     
  2. Jan 2, 2012 at 4:06 PM
    #2
    wing103

    wing103 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2008
    Member:
    #7807
    Messages:
    1,153
    Gender:
    Male
    Boston
    Vehicle:
    Tacoma TRD Sport / Dark Gray
    Grill Craft upper & Lower Grill WetOK Seat Cover, Devil Horn, Bug, Windows Deflector, Side step Bar, HID 55W 8000K Headlight, HID 35W 4000K Foglight, Fog Light Mod, Interior LED Map Light Mod, Electric Tail Gate Lock, Leer Cab, Key ring light, Bed LED lights Mod, Kenwood DNX5120, Signal Mirror with Heat
    there is a fuse box under the driver side, you can use "add a fuse" buy it at AutoZone. and tap the power from there.
     
  3. Jan 2, 2012 at 5:24 PM
    #3
    MrsPib

    MrsPib Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2011
    Member:
    #64838
    Messages:
    925
    Gender:
    Female
    First Name:
    Angie
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    TOYOTAS, TOYOTAS EVERYWHERE
    fuel pump relay is a good one to tie with. I used mine for the fog lamp mod and it won't draw power when the engine is off.
     
  4. Jan 3, 2012 at 9:43 AM
    #4
    azchris

    azchris [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2009
    Member:
    #26930
    Messages:
    466
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Gilbert, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2013 Magnetic Grey Dbl Cab 4x4 TRD OffRoad
    Click sig for build thread
    Awesome! That's exactly what I needed to know. Thanks!
     
  5. Jan 3, 2012 at 10:47 AM
    #5
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2010
    Member:
    #39131
    Messages:
    38,409
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    '19 Ford F-250 6.7 SCrew
    F-250 Land Yacht Mod
    Get a test light for future wiring. That's the best way to be sure what's hot and when. Good luck! :thumbsup:
     
  6. Jan 3, 2012 at 10:48 AM
    #6
    azchris

    azchris [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2009
    Member:
    #26930
    Messages:
    466
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Gilbert, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2013 Magnetic Grey Dbl Cab 4x4 TRD OffRoad
    Click sig for build thread
    I have a multimeter, but I would have to go check each relay with the truck off, and then repeat the process with the truck on. I was being lazy and counting on someone else to know already :eek:
     
  7. Jan 3, 2012 at 1:24 PM
    #7
    dexterdog

    dexterdog My pee parts itch

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2009
    Member:
    #19571
    Messages:
    4,917
    Gender:
    Male
    Oly WA
    Vehicle:
    2012 F150
    No offense but when it comes to electrical, I always check. It's just not worth possibly frying something other than chicken.
     
  8. Jan 3, 2012 at 1:26 PM
    #8
    azchris

    azchris [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2009
    Member:
    #26930
    Messages:
    466
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Gilbert, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2013 Magnetic Grey Dbl Cab 4x4 TRD OffRoad
    Click sig for build thread
    I'm in the process of getting my electrical engineering degree, so hopefully I won't fry anything :p I know which pins on the relay I need to tap, I just didn't know which relays are hot only when the engine is on. As another poster pointed out, the fuel pump is a good choice! I wired it up earlier today and it worked great. :)
     

Products Discussed in

To Top