Trunk light wiring

[evilnickwong]

I'm trying to add an additional light to my trunk, so that it comes on together with the factory light. I pulled the light to look for the wires to splice into and there are 3 going into the factory light.

One is the 12v.
Another 2 are connected together to the other end. One heads to the trunk switch (circuit complete when trunk is open) where it is grounded to the trunk. I'm not sure where the other goes to. Does anyone know? It heads into the cabin area.

According to this diagram, there really should just be the wire heading to the toggle switch and not another one headed to the cabin. It looks factory though.

[learningcurve86]

what does your light look like? All the e30 trunk lights I've seen only have two prongs where you would attach the wires. Are there three prongs, or are two wires attached to the same one?

[e30rapidic]

I've got the same style in my cabrio. Its just power and then a loop that closes when the trunk is open. I just wired up my second light wired to each terminal and haven't had any issues. PM me if you want a pic.

[StereoInstaller1]

I bet that 3rd wire is aftermarket, for an alarm.

[evilnickwong]

Yeah there are 2 prongs. 1 has the 12v wire running to it, the other prong is split into, 1 going to the trunk switch and another to somewhere in the cabin.

StereoInstaller1: Hmmm actually now that you mention it, it does seem like it. The alarm in my car is a little flick switch in the glovebox. Once that is left on before locking the car, the alarm will sound whenever any doors or the trunk is opened thereafter. (I have to unlock the car and then jump in and turn off the switch within a few seconds) :D

[gearheadE30]

Just take power and ground from those prongs and wire the second light in parallel with the first. The circuit can handle it just fine.

[McGyver]

im not sure if you have finished it yet, but i threw an extra light in my trunk. i used t-taps to splice into the wires without cutting them. basically i tapped into the green wire power wire and one of the wires coming off the trunk light switch. i believe their were 2 purple wires behind the switch and i just trial and error'd it until it worked. its been a few months and everything is working great.

[StereoInstaller1]

Good god, are people really this electrically retarded?

[romeomike]

I'm trying to add an additional light to my trunk, so that it comes on together with the factory light. I pulled the light to look for the wires to splice into and there are 3 going into the factory light.

One is the 12v.
Another 2 are connected together to the other end. One heads to the trunk switch (circuit complete when trunk is open) where it is grounded to the trunk. I'm not sure where the other goes to. Does anyone know? It heads into the cabin area.

According to this diagram, there really should just be the wire heading to the toggle switch and not another one headed to the cabin. It looks factory though.

Convertibles did it this way.



G300 is below the left hand side of the rear seat.

[evilnickwong]

Hmm didn't notice this thread still alive. I did finish the work, I just wired all the extra lights in parallel to the existing trunk light and it works out fine. :)

[GANSTA]

Good god, are people really this electrically retarded?

Ummm........Yep:);)