3-way light switch wiring?
 

I have been trying to wire my footwell lights to both the courtesy lights and a constant power so that I can have them set to turn on when the doors open, all the time, or off. After having tried multiple 3 position switches, on-off-on, (and going through about 7 or 8 fuses :wallbash: )I have been told that I need a 3-way switch for car interiors. I went to Radioshack and my local electronics store, but they won't sell me one because I am not a car dealer :tear: . Any ideas on where to get one? And once I have it, how do I wire it? Any suggestions or help or thoughts or whatever would be nice. Thanks guys.

An on-off-in switch should work. If im thinking about this correctly a switch like that would have 3 places to attach wires. In a normal configuration (for example) you would put your +12v source on the middle pin, allowing the switch to power either of the other two contacts. In your situation the middle contact would go to your lights, one of the outside contacts would be a constant +12v source and the other outside contact would be hooked up to the courtesy lights. Is that how you had it wired up before?

Try Digikey or Mouser website. Search for switch -> Rocker -> On-Off-On type. Wire it the same way that Bkcberry says.

BTW switch is switch. It's a contact closing, so as long as the contact can handle the voltage and current rating of your device you should be good (and in that case your switch is going to get damaged not the fuse). Your voltage is 12V and current is depending on the footwell that you bought. Either you are wiring it wrong and shorting something or the footwell requires more current than your fuse can handle. I can't see a reason that On-Off-On switch can trip the fuse if it wired right.

Yes, that's how I had originally wired it. The issue I ran into with that was grounding everything. If i used a constant ground then it didn't seem to matter whether the doors opened or closed. When using the courtesy lights ground, they would shut off with the doors no matter the power source. It's weird. And annoying. The fuse blowing was just stupidity on my part, getting the wires mixed up. Any of that make since?

That make sense somehow. Do you have wiring diagram for RX8? It might be the case that in RX8 they run 12V to courtesy lights and then they are switching the Ground but I need to see the wiring diagram to be sure. In that case you can run your 12V to footwell light and connect the GND to middle pin of the switch. Then connect one side to courtesy light GND and one side to constant GND.;)

Here is my switch. The person who sold it to me at an electronics store said to keep each of the power sources on their own side. I get what they are saying, but I been trying to get this right for about 2 weeks now.

Does it have a mini diagram on it?

^^ no, that's all that came in the package.

"keep each of the power sources on their own side"? That doesn't make any sense for a switch like that. Can you take a couple more pictures of the sides and front? If I can figure it out, then I'll be able to whip up a wiring diagram for you.

You are almost right, the ground is the one that's switched on the courtesy lights, but it is thru the keyless control module.

He keeps blowing the fuse because he is creating a short and it's trying to save everything else!

It's the ground side of the footwells and the courtesy lights he should be switching for what he wants to do.
Doesn't need to take 12v anywhere near this switch if I truly understand what he wants.

Here are a few more pics of the switch that I just took. When the switch is flipped down, it opens the middle two [A2 and B5] pins with the top two [A1 and B4]. When up, the circuit is opened between the bottom two [A3 and B6] and the middle two.

So if I am hearing you right, this is what it should be?

I don't have visio on my netbook here, but let me see what I can come up with for you. It's gonna be rough, but should help you out.

Roughly yes. If you take a look at the wiring diagrams that Mazurfer attached, then you'll see that the 12v+ isn't what's being switched by the door, it's the ground that's being switched by the door. So run a constant 12v+ to your lights, and use the switch to connect the ground.

Mazurfer, where did you get the wiring diagram? Do you have the complete wiring diagram? Can you send it to me if you have it?:o:

Yeah I was right. He should switch the grounds and run the 12V directly to the footwell and it should work the way he wants.

Based on the picture of the switch I think it can be used as 2 switches as a on-off-on switch. that metal tab in between devides the 2 side for 2 switches. So I think what he needs to do is to use only one side of the tab. Middle pin ground of the footwells, one side solid ground of car, the other side goes to ground side of the courtesy light (G/B wire). I am not sure since I don't have the switch in my hand but that's most likely the case.

Can you ohm the switch with meter?

So many people beat me to it. I think like this.

w00t! Everything works great guys. A big thanks to each of you for your input.:jump:

You are welcome:smiley309

Anytime

PM me your E-mail address and be prepared!
I'll send you a whole bunch of useful stuff!

Yes, I have the complete diagram! :naughty:

Cool..............congrats.....and you're welcome for my small part.
I didn't have time to sketch it out last night, but I knew others would based on what I had given! :)