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Aftermarket dash lights dim opposite of stock lights

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by garrettnb, Apr 26, 2013.

  1. Apr 26, 2013 at 1:07 PM
    #1
    garrettnb

    garrettnb [OP] Canadian Ambassador

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    So I just installed an ARB compressor under the hood and it all works fine. I couldn't find the dimming circuit for the dash lights to tie into for the switches LED though I finally realized I can tap directly into the rheostat. Did this and it works, but it dims inversely to the rest of the dash lights...

    I assume this is due to this circuit having the opposite polarity as expected. Is there something I can do here? I have basic wiring knowledge but can't even figure out what all the 5 pins are on the ARB switch.

    I have a 1st gen truck, but my friend with a second gen says he had a similar problem when installing lighted switches.
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2013
  2. Apr 26, 2013 at 3:09 PM
    #2
    BamaToy1997

    BamaToy1997 Wheel Bearing Master

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    The 1st gen Tacoma, and I believe also the 2nd gen Tacoma all use ground control for the dimmer. This means that you should supply power to the bulb normally, and use the ground for the light to control the brightness of the bulb. Is that how you have it connected? I just recently installed an ARB locker system in a Tacoma, so I will do my best to help.
     
  3. Apr 26, 2013 at 7:10 PM
    #3
    garrettnb

    garrettnb [OP] Canadian Ambassador

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    Hokai, well I had it as the instructions said with the supplied lead attached to the dimming circuit. But I have since figured out which of the attached ground contacts on the switch is actually for the light. So I ran 12+ power to the one that was originally attached to the dimming circuit and then grounded it out on the dimming circuit. Baddabing! It all even works.

    Thanks!
     
  4. Apr 26, 2013 at 9:44 PM
    #4
    BamaToy1997

    BamaToy1997 Wheel Bearing Master

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    No problem at all!
     
  5. Feb 4, 2017 at 10:56 AM
    #5
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

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    Realize this is an old thread, but looking at doing this same thing with @JadedTaco on some Air On Board switches now and are having difficulty getting this working correctly. It is easy enough to get the switch to dim in the opposite direction. In the wire diagram below, how would this be connected to the dim circuit? Trying to tie the ground wire into to the dim circuit as was seemingly implied above results in the light not dimming.

    IMG_0933.jpg
     
    Montanaguy likes this.
  6. Feb 13, 2017 at 7:14 PM
    #6
    Montanaguy

    Montanaguy Active Member

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    @crashnburn80... I am currently wiring my switch for my compressor and reading through threads as well. At this time I am wiring an ARB Dual compressor without lockers. So... I have yet to find a smoking gun on how and what to wire to as of right now.
     

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