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Difference Between Illumination and Dimmer

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Forum Name: Car Audio - Hot Topics
Forum Discription: Stickied topics from our car audio forum. Car Audio FAQs. Read First!
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=10555
Printed Date: May 13, 2025 at 9:56 AM


Topic: Difference Between Illumination and Dimmer

Posted By: action
Subject: Difference Between Illumination and Dimmer
Date Posted: March 07, 2003 at 2:36 PM

Hey Guys...

Off of my wiring harness (for a 2000 honda civic) I have an orange wire (Illumination) and an ORANGE / White Wire (Dimmer). In my JVC manual it says to hook up the ORANGE / White Illumination wire, so I am totally confused.

What is the difference between the illumination and the dimmer and which one do I want??? Thanks!



Replies:

Posted By: the12volt
Date Posted: March 07, 2003 at 4:40 PM

Most OEM radios will have a dimmer lead that does just what is says, dims the lights with the dimmer switch for your dash lights. The illumination wire will see 12V+ (no attenuation) when the parking lights are on and light up the radio. Although both are very similar, they are different. For your unit, you'll want to connect the illumination lead of your radio to the RED / Black illumination lead in your vehicle.  If you purchased an aftermarket adapter harness, it should have an ORANGE / White wire also. If so,  connect this lead to your radio's illumination lead.



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