12V Wiring Question

I don’t use my cigarette plug up on the dash, and since it’s already wired for “ignition on” I’d like to use the positive to run the backlights in my Diode Dynamics SS3 pods…

I’m assuming that the gray with red stripe is the +, as opposed to the solid grey, but wondering if anyone else has tapped into this power source or has a way to confirm…

thanks!

 

Multi-meter is the easiest way to confirm without damaging anything. Put the black (-) probe into the grey wire half of the connector, and red (+) probe in the grey and red stripe wire half of the connector. If the multi-meter reads positive voltage, there is your answer. If the multi-meter reads negative voltage, switch the probes around.

 

Electrical meter, try each side to ground (body bolt).
Or that above.

 

I went and grabbed a multimeter, and sure enough, the red stripe was +…

Next question… I see everyone saying to t-tap the illumination wire on another switch to illuminate the new switch, but even a 16-22 t-tap was too big and didn’t fit the factory wiring… anyone know the gauge of the factory wiring for the switches? Or an easier way to tap into it?

thanks!

 

The smallest posi-taps they make are these...

$14 Posi Tap Mini 24-26 ga. Pack of 6. Posi Taps The Best Line Tap Youll Ever Use!. (Choose Your Size and Amount) (6 taps, 24-26)

https://www.amazon.com/Posi-24-26-Youll-Choose-Amount/dp/B0B34SK6KH?crid=C89EL0TZKLVO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lPi6VeUqExis7inrl7_5-bdRYyVsnFpGge8xiMuSgpbJIeQIeJrLho7GoZlJTCjvBmY9Vkg1xusyDSptSuBVR6PgqI9o2dnTHipyhk8YXitbX461E7VtAs8lOHahU918ZCt3xu7yEU_A7HyqF-s-5i0igOq-Iv_Im5H014EV0mhPNyL5JvarhnCPHmD6h0Y8eOjaX7xXKNKmbj0fy7D6HuDc6Hs0o8EWbNAGpGqEs1JDaHPYneoyqaj0tTe_uawN-cVZuZLQl-oVK_QFyjMyvp_wypY6slSjy4gjxttwt_o.poKcvkbhT1olzNcoqY06Lz_GN7H43_WK-FysjnqB3SM&dib_tag=se&keywords=26+posi+tap&qid=1730423475&s=industrial&sprefix=26+posi+tap%2Cindustrial%2C89&sr=1-1&th=1

I just tapped into the dash lights this week. I used a male Deutsch connector, crimped on my wire, heat shrank it and inserted the Deutsch connector into the rear of the stock plug, tan wire. I do like the idea of posi-taps but not a wire as thin as the stock ones.

 

so you stuck the deutsch connector into another switches beige slot, and it fit with the original switch’s connector still in tact?

 

Depending on how much wire is available, you can strip extra wire insulation off and fold the bare wire back onto itself to get more thickness for a better crimp.

It looks like they de-pinned the original switch's deustch connector and cut it off, then got a new pin for it and crimped two wires together on it before re-pinning the original connector.

 

Use these for tapping the factory wiring. Much more secure than the screw ones and better contact imo.

$10 Brightfour Low Voltage Wire splice connectors - Pack of 12 Quick Solderless T Tap Connector 1 Pin,Rock Solid Connector for 24-20 AWG Cable for Vehicle/audio/video/Lighting and Automotive Uses

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072N7S3DL

 

Just looking out...add an inline fuse or breaker on the (+) wire.

 

Could reach out to AutoHarnessHouse and I'm sure they'd be able to identify that connector and make a female harness with bare wire ends for pretty cheap. I think I found the right connector on AliExpress 1 Set 2 Pin 90980-12498 Automobile Cigarette Lighter Cable Connector Wiring Socket With Terminal For Toyota Vios Levin - Cables, Adapters & Sockets - AliExpress and plugged the part number into a Toyota Parts site and it came up with this: 90980-12498 - Toyota Parts Deal, of course you'd still have to get pins and wire, hence why I'd reach out to AutoHarnessHouse. No t-tapping, splicing etc. if you go that route.

 

I have a few of the male and female connectors if someone needs a set just lmk and just pay shipping.
I made my own jumper harness for the cig lighter when I wired up my phone charger and got a 10 pack

 

Yes, the Deutsch connector is just pushed into the back of the stock plug where the tan wire is. It holds itself in by basically wedging itself against the sidewall of the connector and the existing crimped tan wire. You could also tape the wire your adding to the stock tan wire to prevent the Deutsch connector from slipping out but in my instance it doesn't seem to need it. My picture shows 2 wires in the Detusch connector, one is for the 22mm air compressor switch I added in place of one of the blanks and the second is for the air gauge I also installed.
Again, the reason I did it this way is that it is easily reversible, just pull the Deutsch connector out. If I were to do it any other way it would be to use a Posi-Lock, I would personally consider that permanent since it is putting a hole in the sheathing and penetrative the wires. That wire is so small and thin I'd be afraid that if the posi-lock were removed the wire may split.

 

Does the connector offer still stand? I'm going to turn my dash cig. lighter into a hard wired "always on". A new plug sounds a lot easier than cutting and splicing.

 

Yep

 

You can have the 12v cig power stay on while the truck is off? How so?

 

I'm going to pull wire from the battery to the dash. It will be run through the same fuse panel under my hood I'll use with my off road lights. I'll unplug and abandon the old ignition switched line.