illuminated switch giving me some trouble

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y2j514

Copper - Posts: 94

Joined: April 26, 2007

Location: Quebec, Canada

Posted: October 17, 2008 at 5:40 PM / IP Logged

So I am wiring up a switch to manually turn on my cooling fan and this is what I have done (taken from j-body.org). The only difference is, instead of a simple switch I am using an illuminated switch, that way I have a reminder that I left them on if I forget. My illuminated switch has 3 poles on it instead of 2 - obviously. 1: Power 2: Load 3: Ground. Now....if you look at the diagram 85 is basically a 12 v. When I connect both 1 and 2 to it, and then ground 3 only the light illuminates but no fan spinning. Do I have to run a separate 12v wire to the 1?

illuminated switch giving me some trouble -- posted image.

i am an idiot

Platinum - Posts: 13,670

This member consistently provides reliable information

Joined: September 21, 2006

Location: Louisiana, United States

Posted: October 17, 2008 at 6:49 PM / IP Logged

Do you know if the light in the switch is an LED or a standard incandescent bulb? The way the switch is laid out is, the lamp is connected between the ground terminal and the load terminal. If it is a bulb you will have to apply constant 12v to the terminal that is labeled ground. Then ground the supply terminal and connect the load terminal to the relay. If it is an LED this will not work. Let me know if it is an LED device, we will have to modify your diagram a little bit.

y2j514

Copper - Posts: 94

Joined: April 26, 2007

Location: Quebec, Canada

Posted: October 17, 2008 at 9:35 PM / IP Logged

I'm not 100% sure...what is the most common type of illuminated switch out there? I would think its an led, but I could be wrong. I don't think it mentions anything about that on the box.

i am an idiot

Platinum - Posts: 13,670

Joined: September 21, 2006

Location: Louisiana, United States

Posted: October 17, 2008 at 10:18 PM / IP Logged

Remove the switch from the vehicle, put a couple wires on the switch. One wire to the ground terminal, the other wire to the power terminal, connect the wire of the ground terminal to the positive terminal of the battery, briefly touch the wire on the power terminal to the ground terminal of the battery. If it does not light up, flip the switch and try it again. If it lights up you have a regular old bulb, if it does not light up it is an LED.

y2j514

Copper - Posts: 94

Joined: April 26, 2007

Location: Quebec, Canada

Posted: October 17, 2008 at 11:25 PM / IP Logged

This is the switch I have:

http://shop2.aol.ca/shop/product--catId_1001983__locale_en__productId_388537.html

From your last explanation - I think it is an old bulb, but I would actually have to go test it out to see. I'm tempted to go try now - but I really should wait for morning - its midnight here. Thanks for your help.

y2j514

Copper - Posts: 94

Joined: April 26, 2007

Location: Quebec, Canada

Posted: October 18, 2008 at 12:01 AM / IP Logged

assuming its a bulb which one of these, if any, is the correct way? I just don't understand why I can't use the same constant 12V for the load and the power....

illuminated switch giving me some trouble -- posted image.

i am an idiot

Platinum - Posts: 13,670

Joined: September 21, 2006

Location: Louisiana, United States

Posted: October 18, 2008 at 12:37 AM / IP Logged

If that is your switch, that is an LED. You will have to ground terminal 85 of the relay. Then you will have to insert the switch between the power source and terminal 86 of the relay. Power to the power terminal of the switch, 86 to the load terminal. Ground the ground terminal of the switch.

12V DC 25A 3-position SPST on/off automotive red LED rocker switch

Detail Image

Price: $5.99

y2j514

Copper - Posts: 94

Joined: April 26, 2007

Location: Quebec, Canada

Posted: October 18, 2008 at 6:49 PM / IP Logged

Hey thanks I did get it to work finally by doing what you said. However, when I did your "test" to see if its incadesent or LED, when I put power across 1 and 3, I did get it to light up- so there is something wrong with your logic, or my switch was made differently.

I ended up doing it like this:

I grounded 85

I cut 86 and put the end coming from the constant power to 1

then I took a wire from 2 to the 86 on the relay

then I grounded 3.

What I don't understand is why wouldnt, grounding 1, and then putting 85 on the switch, and then 12 V to 3 work? Its essentially the samething just backwards - an LED doesn't care which way the power is flowing through it

spin2win

Member - Posts: 1

Joined: March 19, 2010

Posted: March 19, 2010 at 11:50 PM / IP Logged

Yes - LEDs are polar. Looks like the latest batch of Chinese switches can only supply +12v if you want the light to turn on when the switch is toggled.

Kind of sucks for those of us who want to switch a ground circuit.

howie ll

Pot Metal - Posts: 16,466

Joined: January 09, 2007

Location: United Kingdom

Posted: March 20, 2010 at 3:37 AM / IP Logged

Doh the advert says LED switches.

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