Reverse Light Wiring Question

[rsbrillhart]

I know there are lots of posts here on reverse lights, and I've read many, but I'm asking about a specific wiring question that I haven't seen. After getting rejected at my CA brake and lamp inspection due to no back-up lights on my MK4, I'm in need of configuring something that will get me a pass. I think I have a lamp solution, but with respect to wiring, can I simply run the pigtail connector from the TKO600 directly to a lamp fixture? I'd connect the pigtail and the lamp ground wires to the frame and run the hot right to the lamp with an in-line fuse. Or do I need to run it through the fuse panel?

[Norm B]

I am not familiar with the switch inside the TKO ( I have a T5) but, I would say it depends on your choice of lamps and how much current they draw.
Your plan should work fine for low current lamps. If they are high draw then, add in a relay.

Norm

[rsbrillhart]

Perfect, thanks. Given it's a temporary low draw lamp, sounds like I'm ok. Thanks for confirming.

[Railroad]

I am using an LED back up light wired with no relay through the TKO switch, no issues.

[Fixit]

Unless you're running a 1.21gigawatt bulb, the internal switch will handle any LED or "normal sized" incandescent lamp you choose. Just appropriately size your inline fuse - probably no more than a 3A.
If your looking for a more permanent solution... (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?27544-40-Watt-Garage-6200-miles&p=366721&viewfull=1#post366721) here's an idea.

[toadster]

I'm pretty sure you can wire directly from the switch to the light if it's an LED

I'll probably wire into this harness which should connect to the reverse switch and give a pigtail for wiring
Transmission Backup Light Connector Pigtail (https://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-890108)

[steno]

The switch can handle a couple incandescent lamps on any production car, so it should handle pretty much any reasonable load. I’m running a 30 watt halogen in my back-up light. No problem for over 15 years and 87k miles.

[toadster]

found the best deal on ebay for the reverse harness $28 shipped to CA
https://www.ebay.com/itm/324763697921?hash=item4b9d6cc301:g:GBwAAOSwWZpZ53m l

[CraigS]

I would tap the rear harness, probably parking light circuit for power to the reverse light. That way it is already fused. Then run the ground through the TKO switch to a ground.

[rich grsc]

OMG, a relay for backup lights:eek: you've got to be kidding me. At most they would pull 1-3 amps.

[JohnK]

I would tap the rear harness, probably parking light circuit for power to the reverse light. That way it is already fused. Then run the ground through the TKO switch to a ground.

I believe the requirement in CA is that the reverse light works all the time, not just when parking/headlights are on so if the inspector is a stickler this would not pass inspection. You want to use a power source that is hot any time the ignition is on. I ran a dedicated wire for reverse lights that's powered off the radio memory circuit.

[toadster]

I believe the requirement in CA is that the reverse light works all the time, not just when parking/headlights are on so if the inspector is a stickler this would not pass inspection. You want to use a power source that is hot any time the ignition is on. I ran a dedicated wire for reverse lights that's powered off the radio memory circuit.

that's an odd scenario, what about when you park downhill? I usually put the car in reverse as well as the parking brake so the gear helps to hold the car as well...

[AtlantaCobra]

I have a solution......move out of California. You and your car will be much happier and you both will perform better! :)

[JohnK]

Sorry, to be more clear I believe (full disclosure, I have not seen this documented but have heard that this is the requirement so take it with a grain of salt) that the reverse light needs to work any time the engine is running (ignition-fed circuit). This makes sense to me, as you still want to be able to signal that you're reversing even in daytime when your headlights may not be on. In your scenario you could still park as you indicate, since the reverse light would not be powered when the engine is off. In my case, since I used the radio memory wire the reverse light will be powered all the time (even when the engine is off) but I don't use reverse when parking on hills. I guess in the rare instance that I really needed to, I could kill the master cutoff, but your scenario never even occurred to me when I was designing my wiring layout as I've never used reverse when parking.

[JohnK]

I have a solution......move out of California. You and your car will be much happier and you both will perform better! :)

I'm quite happy where I am. Thanks.

[Norm B]

Rich, my choice of reverse lights was a bit of overkill and I melted the wires on the reverse switch pigtail so, I did use a relay��. I have two off road driving lights mounted to the fuel tank straps. They really light up the night when I put it in reverse.

Norm