12
© 2003 Directed Electronics, Inc. Vista, CA
The (+) parking light wire is often found near the switch. Many cars have the switch built into the turn signal
lever, and in these cars the parking light wire can be found in the steering column. The same wire is often avail-
able in the kick panel or running board.
NOTE:
Many Toyotas, as well as many other Asian vehicles, send a (-) signal from the switch to a
relay. The relay then sends (+)12V to the bulbs. Whenever you have difficulty finding a (+) parking
light wire near the switch, simply test the wires at any switch or control panel which is lit by the
instrument panel lighting. Remember, you need a (+) parking light wire that does not vary with
the dimmer setting.
How to find a (+) parking light flash wire with your multimeter:
1. Set to DCV or DC voltage (12V or 20V is fine).
2. Attach the (-) probe of the meter to chassis ground.
3. Probe the wire you suspect of being the parking light wire. Usually, the area near the headlight/parking light
switch is an excellent area to start, as is the kick panel.
4. Turn on the parking lights. If your meter shows (+)12V, turn off the parking lights and make sure it goes back
to zero.
5. If it does return to zero, turn the parking lights back on and, using the dash light dimmer control, turn the
brightness of the dash lights up and down. If the meter changes more than a volt when using the dimmer,
look for another wire. If it stays relatively close to (+)12V, you have found your parking light wire.
The best places to find the door switch wire are:
■
At the pin switch: When testing at the pin switch, check the wire to ensure that it “sees” all the doors. Often,
the passenger switch will cover all the doors even if the driver’s switch will not.
■
At the dome light: This may not be your best choice if the vehicle has delayed domelight supervision, but it
will work in many Hondas, or any vehicle with completely diode-isolated pin switches.
finding the door pin switch circuit
finding a (+) parking light wire