Dash Light Dimmer Circuit

reloaderguy · Aug 30, 2016

Can someone post a schematic or identify a hot wire for a dimmed dash power wire? I need to wire in SPST switches and want to connect the independent side to a dimmed source so it functions like the lights in the truck. The OE schematics aren't available that I can find. Any help would be great. This is a 2016 2500 but I assume 1500's would be similar if not identical.

Tach_tech · Aug 31, 2016

reloaderguy · Aug 31, 2016

If I'm reading that correctly, pin 2 and 4 are dimmed. Is that right?

Tach_tech · Aug 31, 2016

Yes, I would monitor the voltage output on those circuits while turning the dimmer, just to make sure it does what you need.

07MegaCabRam · Aug 31, 2016

believe both are orange with black and only ONE will dim

reloaderguy · Aug 31, 2016

Thanks, I'll look at it this weekend.

sbarron · Aug 31, 2016

Looks like I used the OR/BR (Orange/Brown) wire on my 2013. The switches dim correctly.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/03k60f2jtw...agram.pdf?dl=0

reloaderguy · Sep 1, 2016

Is this the plug on the back of the headlight rotary dial on the left side of the steering column?

sbarron · Sep 1, 2016

Yessir.

reloaderguy · Sep 1, 2016

Perfect, thank you.

reloaderguy · Oct 2, 2016

As a follow up: Pin#2 OR/BR gets brighter (voltage increases) as you turn down the rheostat under the headlight dial. Pin#4 OR/GY gets dimmer (voltage decreases) as you turn down the rheostat. I used Pin #4 to power the rocker switch. This is on a 2016 2500 Laramie PW so there have probably been electrical changes between '13 and '16. Thank you guys for your help.

lock1nout · Oct 19, 2016

#6 is the dome light I'm assuming? I would like to separate this from having to turn the jog dial to turn it on.

Machria · Feb 10, 2018

reloaderguy said:
As a follow up: Pin#2 OR/BR gets brighter (voltage increases) as you turn down the rheostat under the headlight dial. Pin#4 OR/GY gets dimmer (voltage decreases) as you turn down the rheostat. I used Pin #4 to power the rocker switch. This is on a 2016 2500 Laramie PW so there have probably been electrical changes between '13 and '16. Thank you guys for your help.

So I'm trying to tap into the dim circuit right now. I just put a meter on the Orange/Grey wire and it went up in voltage as I turned down the rheostat?? Not only that, but the voltage is weird, 0.74 volts and then it goes to 4 volts?? Aren't the dash backlights 12v?

reloaderguy · Feb 15, 2018

Machria said:
So I'm trying to tap into the dim circuit right now. I just put a meter on the Orange/Grey wire and it went up in voltage as I turned down the rheostat?? Not only that, but the voltage is weird, 0.74 volts and then it goes to 4 volts?? Aren't the dash backlights 12v?

Try pin #2. Other members described the OR/BR as the wire you need to tap but it could have been reversed starting in '16.

JB1 · Feb 15, 2018

reloaderguy said:
As a follow up: Pin#2 OR/BR gets brighter (voltage increases) as you turn down the rheostat under the headlight dial. Pin#4 OR/GY gets dimmer (voltage decreases) as you turn down the rheostat. I used Pin #4 to power the rocker switch. This is on a 2016 2500 Laramie PW so there have probably been electrical changes between '13 and '16. Thank you guys for your help.

Guess I'll try pin #4

Anyone know of a better place to pick up dash lights, maybe even just an ignition hot near the radio? (I wouldn't mind them illuminated while driving during day)

just need power to illuminate few rocker switch text backlit leds

IRSmart · Feb 15, 2018

I’ve been looking at wiring harness pinouts for just this reason and it doesn’t appear that there are really any at all. Each module (radio, switch bank, etc) receives constant power and the canbus system tells the module when to turn on the dash lights and at what intensity. Or at least that’s what I’ve been able to determine. I haven’t looked at any of the standalone ambient lights, just the radio, AC module, and switch bank. None of them have a wire going to them dedicated to dash lights. Unfortunately this canbus system makes it harder for us to manipulate.

JB1 · Feb 15, 2018

worse case I’ll bring a wire from the fuse box via wiretap, I’ll just bundle it with the 12v constant and the trigger wires

IRSmart · Feb 16, 2018

Do you have the console or the bench? Doesn’t the console have an easily accessible 12V outlet that is ignition hot only? I have the bench, I’m pretty sure the one in the lower left of my dash is battery hot, but I can’t remember if the one in my arm rest is or not.

JB1 · Feb 16, 2018

I do have the full console and your right that’s only hot with the ignition which i could use to power the switches led back light without issues.
Thanks for the idea

Machria · Feb 16, 2018

reloaderguy said:
Try pin #2. Other members described the OR/BR as the wire you need to tap but it could have been reversed starting in '16.

Well, I found it, but I can't tell you which "pin #" it is. How do you tell what pin, is what #? They are not labeled? But I found it by sticking a small wire into the back of each pin and plugging it back in and turning it on/off with a volt meter on the other end of the wire. I finally found the right wire that went up/down with the brightness knob....

Dash Light Dimmer Circuit

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