Solution to Interrupt Courtesy Lighting *Will this Work?*

[Dawn1982]

Guys-

Could use some help here to determine if this solution will work for disabling the courtesy/interior lights powered via Fuse Slot 12 on the 2014 Explorer. Since the Explorer has a low profile mini fuse I looked for a solution that would give me clean plug and play access to interrupt that fused circuit. This is what I came up with after some thought. Will this work?

Explanation steps:
1. Plug Low Profile Mini "Add a Fuse" module into slot 12 of Factory Fuse panel.
2. Insert 15 AMP fuse into top slot of fuse holder(linking slot 2 and slot 3), thus giving the outbound power wire a fused Power Feed.
3. Outbound power leaves slot 3 and goes into a lighted switch.
4. Returning switched power travels back into Add a Fuse module into Slot 4 via a spade connector on returning wire.

* There is no fuse in bottom slot of "Add a Fuse" module. Lighted switch is grounded via a third wire from switch itself. I'm guessing the orientation of the "Add a Fuse" module in the factory fuse panel does not matter?

 

[peterk9]

Only one way to find out for sure. Good luck.

Peter

 

[Dawn1982]

Haha Peter. Lets walk though this solution on paper first. I'm not one to plug it in and hope for the best. Any wiring experts on here that care to double check my work/solution before I try this?

 

[snoranger]

That should work... The only problem I see with it is:
" I'm guessing the orientation of the "Add a Fuse" module in the factory fuse panel does not matter? "
Yes it would matter. You want the power side to be on slots 1 and 2. Plugging it in the other way would leave the circuit without a fuse until it returned to the add a fuse. You don't want an unfused circuit running through your truck.

 

[Dawn1982]

That should work... The only problem I see with it is:
" I'm guessing the orientation of the "Add a Fuse" module in the factory fuse panel does not matter? "
Yes it would matter. You want the power side to be on slots 1 and 2. Plugging it in the other way would leave the circuit without a fuse until it returned to the add a fuse. You don't want an unfused circuit running through your truck.

Please confirm if this is what you are saying. Slot 12 inside the Factory Fuse Panel has two terminals, but only one is the hot side?

In terms of the Add a Fuse, I think Terminal 1 and 2 are both interconnected inside the Add a Fuse Module. I do not think 3 and 4 are interconnected. So with that said, if the orientation of the Add a Fuse was wrong when I plugged it into the Fuse panel, then HOT power would leave the vehicle fuse box and go up the right prong of the Add a Fuse and exit on terminal 4. Then it would go through my switch and back into the Add a Fuse on Terminal 3. Then it would cross the fuse and go back down into the Vehicle on the left Add a Fuse Terminal Post. The load would still cross the fuse and protect the vehicle in that scenario, ... no?

 

[snoranger]

Please confirm if this is what you are saying. Slot 12 inside the Factory Fuse Panel has two terminals, but only one is the hot side?

In terms of the Add a Fuse, I think Terminal 1 and 2 are both interconnected inside the Add a Fuse Module. I do not think 3 and 4 are interconnected. So with that said, if the orientation of the Add a Fuse was wrong when I plugged it into the Fuse panel, then HOT power would leave the vehicle fuse box and go up the right prong of the Add a Fuse and exit on terminal 4. Then it would go through my switch and back into the Add a Fuse on Terminal 3. Then it would cross the fuse and go back down into the Vehicle on the left Add a Fuse Terminal Post. The load would still cross the fuse and protect the vehicle in that scenario, ... no?

Yes.

 

[Dawn1982]

Going to start building the harness tonight. I will report back if this works.

 

[Dawn1982]

I built and tested the harness last night on my work bench. Everything works as expected. Here is what it looks like. I hope to install it tonight... pending my girl gets home from the hospital before the daylight is out.

 

[peterk9]

Please try and keep pictures to a maximum of 800x600 so that we don't have to scroll L & R. Thanks.

Peter

 

[jmr061]

Fuse 12 also controls LED backlight of such things such as steering wheels controls, aux climate controls ,etc, per the service manual.

Jason

 

[peterk9]

Puddle lamps too.

Peter

 

[Dawn1982]

Overhead LED cabin lights are the main concern and reason why I targeted fuse 12. Hoping to drop this in today when I get a slice of time.

 

[Dawn1982]

Installed it last night, and it works perfectly!

 

[peterk9]

Congratulations on your little project. I'm sure that other members may be interested in this setup as well.

Peter