Cargo Light switch harness identification

[robfg67]

So I just picked up the fog light/cargo box switch bezel with switches and want to install the factory cargo light.

 

I only found one connector behind the dummy panel with one wire wire harness for the 37 light bulb. 

 

Which harness is this one? Can I connect it to the back of the cargo box switch and why don't I have the harness for the fog light switch?

 

Thanks

 

 

[eaglescout526]

That’s fog. Cargo has pink wires going to the plug. 

[robfg67]

Should the plug with the pink wire for the cargo light be in the dash? It wasn't sitting behind the blanlk plate like this one was.

[schardein]

They stopped installing the wiring for the cargo light in 1990, I believe, unless the truck was actually optioned with it.  My 91 isn't pre-wired for it.

 

Earlier models were all pre-wired for it, making it easier to add.

[robfg67]

Does that mean that the pink wire above the driver's side "B" pillar is also not there?

 

Is there a DIY for improvising wiring to the factory cargo lamp switch?

[Ωhm]

21 minutes ago, robfg67 said:

Does that mean that the pink wire above the driver's side "B" pillar is also not there?

 

Check cavity C118_8. (PNK W/TR)

 

[robfg67]

Ohm, I'm not even going to waste your time asking about what you posted...way over my head.

 

Could someone post a picture of the connection plug for the cargo light?

 

I want to see the position the Pink, Pink w/Tracer, and Black wires.

 

My plan B is to tap into power from the pink courtesy light, ground a wire to chassis, and run a new Pink w/Tracer wire back to cargo light.

[schardein]

12 hours ago, robfg67 said:

Does that mean that the pink wire above the driver's side "B" pillar is also not there?

 

Is there a DIY for improvising wiring to the factory cargo lamp switch?

Yes, the power wire to the actual light is not there either, after 1989.

 

The pink power wire (above the b pillar) that you are asking about, goes through a connector after it leaves the switch.  That connector is located behind the driver lower kick panel, sort of behind the area where the park brake assembly is.  That is what OHM is trying to explain.  You can look there, rather than remove the b pillar to look for it.

 

I may have some pictures of the cargo light harness, I will post if I find them.

[schardein]

11 hours ago, robfg67 said:

My plan B is to tap into power from the pink courtesy light, ground a wire to chassis, and run a new Pink w/Tracer wire back to cargo light.

I believe that pink wire is hot all the time.

I don't know off hand how the cargo switch is wired from the factory.  

But if it is hot all the time, you could accidentally leave the cargo light on and drain the battery.  Using a power source that is only hot with the key on would eliminate that.

[schardein]

13 hours ago, robfg67 said:

Could someone post a picture of the connection plug for the cargo light?

 

I want to see the position the Pink, Pink w/Tracer, and Black wires.

 

Here are the pictures.  You can see the orientation of the wires in the switch connector.  Also, you can see the wire that carries power to the light, goes to a connector.  That is the connector Ohm is talking about, behind the driver side kick panel.  The wire is marked with blue tape near the connector.  At the other side of the connector, the wire would run along the door sill, up the b pillar, and be taped to the back of the cab near where the light would be.

[schardein]

And just for general knowledge, here is how the Jeep Cherokee/Comanche fog light switch is wired.  The cargo light switch is the same part.

[Ωhm]

@schardein  Thanks for the follow up.

[robfg67]

Thanks for all the help.

 

So if I grabbed power from the courtesy light, the cargo box light would only get power when the door is ajar?

 

Perhaps I should grab power from switched power from the radio-only hot when the key is on.

 

What a pain in the @$$.

[schardein]

15 hours ago, robfg67 said:

Thanks for all the help.

 

So if I grabbed power from the courtesy light, the cargo box light would only get power when the door is ajar?

The pink wire for the courtesy light is hot all the time.  This is because the door switches for the courtesy lights controls the ground circuit.  The lights receive power all the time.  Open the door, and the lights come on when the door switches complete the ground circuit.

 

So using the pink wire, the cargo lamp would be able to be turned on at any time, whether the key is on or not.  Some may prefer that.  Loading a lot of stuff at night, just turn the switch on and you don't have to have the key on or engine running.  But, like I said earlier, you do have the possibility of leaving it on and running down your battery.

 

I've never looked to see how the cargo light usually gets power.  

 

If you are wiring from scratch, you could always pick up power directly at the fuse box, using the power ports that are already there.  See the pic (the pic is turned 90 degrees so it's easier to read).  The ports marked with white/pink at BAT (hot all the time).  The one marked gray is also BAT hot.  The one marked brown is hot with IGN (key on).  The one marked green is ACC (hot with key in run or accessory).  You can use a regular spade terminal to plug into these ports, or a better solution, use the specific plastic connectors keyed to those ports, and the terminals made specifically for them, 2nd pic.

[robfg67]

Schardein,

 

Makes perfect sense. Thanks for this info.

 

I've got to work tomorrow, so it might have to be next weekend before I can do this project. 

 

I'll be sure to update this thread.

[robfg67]

Got the cargo light installed and wired this morning.

 

Thanks to all and a special thanks to schardein who acted as my proxy brain.

 

 

[fiatslug87]

Looks good 

[robfg67]

Thanks...it took me hours. 

 

Now I just need cargo to load at night. 

[schardein]

You're welcome.  Glad you got it done, looks great!