Cargo Lights on with Reverse Lights

[Payton34]

Okay so I was inspired by 2 threads here, one being the fog lights on with high beams, which I did and love. The other is a thread about putting a switch in the bed by the tailgate to turn on the cargo lights. That's a great idea but I wanted something simpler, so using the info in the fog light thread, and the link to the wire diagrams, I found the relay switch wires for the cargo lights and the reverse lights then used an extra diode from the fog light trick to connect the two. Now when it's dark and you unlock your doors with the remote, which activates the headlights and reverse lights, the cargo lights come on as well. This does activate the lights by the third brake light as well as the lights in the bed, just as if you pushed the switch on the dash. This is going to activate the cargo lights when you put the truck in reverse also, which will provide more light behind the truck, but it may glare off the rear window as well. I will be testing this tonight to see if I like it or not.

 

The reverse light relay wire is in the same brown plug as the fog lights. Number 26, its brown with 2 blue stripes.

 

The cargo light relay wire is also number 26, brown wire white stripe, but it's in the pink plug to the left of the brown plug.

 

I used the other diode from the 2 pack I bought to do the fog lights ( part # 1N004). The stripe goes toward the cargo lights in the pink plug.

 

As long as there's not too much glare to see while reversing at night then this should be a handy little trick!!

[/quote Hey so this should work on a 2015 as well right?

Do you have a pic of the diodes installed in the BCM?

[dbcooper748]

Just completed this mod. By far the best, free, and easy upgrade to date! Thanks to all for the info!

[Potts]

You guys are awesome man. I just did this mod to my 2015 LTZ Silverado and it worked like a charm. I am kind of anal as well as cautious (truck has 400 miles on it) so it took me about ten minutes to do. My biggest concern was damaging the existing wires while shoving in the diode.

 

The install went exactly as the OP explained, copied again below for those that don't feel like re-readin all the threads.

 

Reverse Light Relay Wire - Brown Plug - Number 26 - Brown wire with Blue Stripe

Cargo Light Relay Wire - Pink Plug - Number 26 - Brown wire with white stripe

 

When installing the diode, the stripe on the diode should be closest to the Cargo Light Wire.

 

Works like a charm. When you use the fob to unlock the doors, the reverse lights turn on as normal, but your 3rd brake light cargo light and truck bed led cargo lights (if installed) turn on as well. This is excellent for when you need to quickly check your cargo without having to get in the truck and push the cargo light button - simply hit the unlock button on your fob. I love this mod!!!

 

I may decide to use a wire instead of a diode so that the cargo lights turn on when in reverse, but in my 15 I can turn them on if I wish while in reverse so I think I'll leave it so I have the option of having them on or not.

Edited September 25, 2015 by Potts

[Potts]

Hello,

 

Good idea, but I took your step little different. I have the puddle light and I tapped into that.

 

2014-11-26 16.22.17.jpg

 

This way, when vehicle is in "run" position, puddle lights and the cargo lights will be completely off (as would the cargo light switch would too)

 

I also have a overhead canopy light, so it HAS to be off when backing up.

 

I have attached the diagram, REMEMBER, the orientation of the diagram is with the plug out, and the plug end facing you with clip fastener facing up!

 

2014-11-26 09.01.06.png

 

**** TIP****

I have had trouble keeping the leads of the diode in the wire socket, I end up sanding it sharp so I can get it in deeper next to the exposed area of the wire. IT ALSO HELPS if you wiggle the wire to the opposite direction it is leaning on to and insert the leads in that side. Wiggle the wire to the other side allows it to push back and keep the leads of the diode in the pressured position to maintain a solid connection.

 

 

I have read through this thread three times and I still cannot tell if you actually did this successfully and/or anyone else has. I've also never seen it 100% clarified which wire port is the correct one for the puddle lamps. It looks like it's #8 on the white harness?

 

What scares me is that out of all these similar diode mods, al the other wire connections being combined are relays, and the puddle lamp one you are suggesting looks to be a voltage supply. I really don't want to fry anything. Right now I have the reverse lights firing the cargo lights, but am debating if I would prefer the puddle lights to power the cargo's, because I can manually turn on the cargo lights when in reverse by design (2015).

 

Can you or anyone confirm the puddle lights are on the white harness and hole #8? And is it okay to perform this mod on a voltage supply line? I am using 3AMP diodes.

 

Also, just curious, are they any laws about having cargo type lighting on when reversing? I don't want to get my balls busted,

Edited September 25, 2015 by Potts

[morrislee]

 

 

I have read through this thread three times and I still cannot tell if you actually did this successfully and/or anyone else has. I've also never seen it 100% clarified which wire port is the correct one for the puddle lamps. It looks like it's #8 on the white harness?

 

What scares me is that out of all these similar diode mods, al the other wire connections being combined are relays, and the puddle lamp one you are suggesting looks to be a voltage supply. I really don't want to fry anything. Right now I have the reverse lights firing the cargo lights, but am debating if I would prefer the puddle lights to power the cargo's, because I can manually turn on the cargo lights when in reverse by design (2015).

 

Can you or anyone confirm the puddle lights are on the white harness and hole #8? And is it okay to perform this mod on a voltage supply line? I am using 3AMP diodes.

 

 

It has been a while, but from my picture, and the diagram, it should be the "grey" connector. (furthest to the left in my picture)

 

pull it out and looking at the connector (the face that goes into the connection), look for pin 8 from the diagram. tap the power from that to your box light using a diode so when the box light is on, it does not turn the puddle lights on.

 

I am not sure what "voltage supply line" you are referring to, but I just use the puddle light as my power source to power the box light.

 

Working for me since I have had it done, so I dont see an issue for it at all

[Potts]

Okay thanks. In the wire diagram you posted a photo of the puddle lights are listed as a voltage supply line. In all the other diagrams for the other combinations, all the wire ports are listed as relays, not power supplies. That's what I was referring to.

 

 

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[Potts]

I ended up just using the cargo to reverse but used two diodes so it goes both ways. I didn't have a suitable wire that would fit in the holes and be strong enough to push in. I wanted my reverse lights on when my cargos are on so I can see what I'm doing behind the truck as well.

 

 

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[Chadwilliam1]

That is a good idea ^^^

Edited September 25, 2015 by Chadwilliam1

[Potts]

It works perfectly. When I unlock the truck with my fob it lights up like a Christmas tree. Gonna be convenient when I'm loading or even sitting on the tailgate having a beer after a long day - just hit the fob and I've got light. Cheapest mod ever.

 

 

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[Amiodynski]

It works perfectly. When I unlock the truck with my fob it lights up like a Christmas tree. Gonna be convenient when I'm loading or even sitting on the tailgate having a beer after a long day - just hit the fob and I've got light. Cheapest mod ever.

 

 

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I have this done, but my passenger side camper mirror will not always light up like it should. I get a flicker like it's not "firing' up 100%, and then suddenly it lights up like the drivers side. Anytime I hit the Cargo Light switch, it lights both up with no issues. Blows my mind.

 

Thinking of taking a diode, and tapping it into the wire to see if that helps. Maybe it will prevent the annoying light flicker.

[Joseph DeLima]

Great write up and mod... thanks did this and the fog high beam mods. Everything working like a charm.

[1badtie]

Going to try this

[ikaika1984]

It works perfectly. When I unlock the truck with my fob it lights up like a Christmas tree. Gonna be convenient when I'm loading or even sitting on the tailgate having a beer after a long day - just hit the fob and I've got light. Cheapest mod ever.

 

 

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But, how long will the 3rd break light (cargo light) stay on...

 

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[Mike1220]

But, how long will the 3rd break light (cargo light) stay on...

 

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stays on as long as you have the exit lighting set to turn on which I believe is at predetermined options such as 30 seconds up to 2 minutes. Could be wrong but I think the options span that length of time

[ikaika1984]

 

 

stays on as long as you have the exit lighting set to turn on which I believe is at predetermined options such as 30 seconds up to 2 minutes. Could be wrong but I think the options span that length of time

Mike

 

So when I look at this mod, it's convenient to light up the area prior to leaving, and also backing up but that's about it..

 

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