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00:36:14 - 12/20/2024
General Dakota Board
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Kevin
Dodge Dakota
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10/05/2003
20:29:16
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 Subject: Where to get electrical power?
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Message:
I have a dilemma. I have installed power windows and locks (aftermarket). The windows are to be tied into the ignition switch positive line, and the locks to a steady power which never turns off.
I don't know exactly how to tie either one of these lines in or where. I was told I could use the fuse box, but I can't get to it so I'm unsure how I would connect a new line to it.
Any assistance would be appreciated. Again, I'm looking for A ~20-25AMP Power source, one which is tied to the ignition switch, the other which is always hot.
Note: I have a 99 Dakota
Thanks
-Kevin
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Karl
Dodge Dakota
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10/07/2003
12:43:58
|  RE: Where to get electrical power?
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Message:
I just got my aftermarket door locks yesterday and hope to install them today or tomorrow. Hopefully I can pickup the hot line off the cigarette lighter. If I can't find a convienent hot wire under the dash I will run it through the firewall to the engine compartment.
Good Luck - keep me posted on how it goes.
Karl--2002 Sport cc v6
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MAGNUM S/T
Dodge Dakota
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10/07/2003
13:24:33
|  RE: Where to get electrical power?
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Message:
I found all the wires I need. I removed the panel just below the steering wheel. There is a wiring harness which leads to the ignition switch. I saw a thicker guage red wire and checked it with a circuit tester (Wallmart $3.50). Basically looks like a screwdriver with a sharp tip and a lightbulb. What was nice is without splicing the wire, I could simply poke thru the insulation with the cicuit tester to the wire and saw it was live...tada, there's my ALWAYS LIVE circuit. I did the same technique to find a wire on the ignition circuit for the power windows. Normally off, but powered when the key is turned (That wire was black). I ignored the very small guage wires as the door locks and windows had a 20amp fuse attached, so I looked for the largest guage available...or at least an equivalent guage wire.
The lighted switches were a bit more challenging. I pulled open the fog light switch harness and tapped into a wire which went live when the lights went on. I may go back and try and tap into a wire which also dims....if I want to perfect it :-)...but for now everything works...and I was getting impatient.
Note: Mine is a 99 Dakota CC...so the colors may be different on yours. I simply sodered the new wires onto the existing without fully cutting the stock wires (not sure what that technique is called, but basically I cut a small amount of the stock insulation away, without actually snipping the wire.
Currently the door locks work great! The kit I have simply joins the drivers and passenger doors together...whatever one lock does the other does automatically. I did not install switches.
I put this kit in so when I have the alarm installed, I can have keyless entry (Which comes with almost all alarms now). The shop quoted me an extra $150 for the door locks (parts and install). I got the kit for less than $60.
I don't know why I didn't think of the cicuit tester before...it was so simple.
-Kevin
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