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How to turn on light bar?

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by Arizona Jim, Jul 25, 2019.

  1. Jul 25, 2019 at 3:36 PM
    #1
    Arizona Jim

    Arizona Jim [OP] Active Member

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    I have this 2012 Jeep and cannot figure out how to turn on the light bar !! Turning on the fog lights doesn't do it. Only the lights in the bumper come on. It is supposed to be factory installed, so I would expect a fairly obvious way to turn it on. Does anyone know how to turn it on/off?
    Thanks, Jim

    00000_bLPxI4tHLvo_1200x900.jpg
     
  2. Jul 25, 2019 at 3:52 PM
    #2
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    That's not a factory option! If you're handy with electric it only needs a switch, fuse, relay, 12V, ground. Some jeepers invest in a generic sPOD to run 4-8 auxiliary lights. Once these control units are installed no more wires go through the firewall and connections are made to the control unit under the hood...simple, KISS.
     
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  3. Jul 25, 2019 at 7:23 PM
    #3
    JKBob 25

    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    Apparently, the light bar was mounted. And never hooked up to the power source. The battery. Quick easy check. Follow the wire off the light. I have the same light bar. It might, or should run under the cowl. And run along the fire wall to the battery. There should be non factory wires connected to the battery. If it's not hooked into the wire harness. And the positive side wire may have a relay. But hopefully a fused wire. And....if installed correctly. Close to the battery. The fact that you don't have a toggle, or some other switch. It's was probably never hooked up.
     
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  4. Jul 25, 2019 at 9:20 PM
    #4
    Arizona Jim

    Arizona Jim [OP] Active Member

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    It sure looks like a factory option the way the bar mounts into the hinges..... anyway, it has wires like JKBob 25 says it should have. It sure looks like factory or a professional after-market install. The wires run just like Bob said to expect. The fuse is good, but I don't find a switch inside. I find it hard to believe that it was installed so well but never finished. Hopefully someone else has one like it and can tell me how theirs is set up.

    Thanks for the input!

    Jim
     
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  5. Jul 26, 2019 at 7:08 AM
    #5
    Awrench

    Awrench Well-Known Member

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    I love that color, memories. And a light bar - wow I need one of those -
     
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  6. Jul 26, 2019 at 11:49 AM
    #6
    boondoc89

    boondoc89 Well-Known Member

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    Wise ass...
    :rofl:
     
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  7. Jul 26, 2019 at 6:12 PM
    #7
    JKBob 25

    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    Im
    was thinking the same thing. :boink::rofl:
     
  8. Jul 26, 2019 at 6:55 PM
    #8
    JKBob 25

    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    Is it possible it was wired to some type of SPod or Trigger type remote device? Trace the wire harness from the light bar. It should have 2 wires running from the light. One goes to the battery. The other to the switch, or remote control device.
    You should be able to trace the wires since they are in the engine compartment or under the cowl. Post up what you find.
     
  9. Jul 26, 2019 at 9:38 PM
    #9
    Arizona Jim

    Arizona Jim [OP] Active Member

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    Anything is possible I guess. :) I am out of town now, will not see the Jeep for over a week :( but I will look more. I see where the wires go from the light to the battery/fuse and then in through the firewall on the driver's side. I will have to get under the dash and see if I can trace them further.

    Thanks.
     
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  10. Aug 8, 2019 at 11:51 PM
    #10
    Arizona Jim

    Arizona Jim [OP] Active Member

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    I have looked at it some more and still don't find a switch. The wiring comes in through the cowl on the driver's side and goes up under the dash. At this point my guess is that the light is operated with a remote control. Which I don't have of course.

    Is it possible that there is a universal remote for them?

    I don't see any company name on it... just a sticker with some specs.

    upload_2019-8-8_23-50-35.jpg
     
  11. Aug 9, 2019 at 4:17 AM
    #11
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    Keep in mind some jurisdictions frown upon uncovered auxiliary lighting especially light bars. Hood mounted light bars generally have no purpose ON-ROAD and produce some glare off the hood but jeepers install them because they may look cool. Anyway most auxiliary lighting are wired up similarly and since the jeep is yours and the switch can't be found you can rewire it your way. Post #3 explains most of what you need to do.
     
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  12. Aug 9, 2019 at 5:21 AM
    #12
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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  13. Aug 10, 2019 at 5:30 AM
    #13
    Awrench

    Awrench Well-Known Member

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    only 2 wires from assembly?
    we know 1 wire is to battery and fuse,
    Have you confirmed the other wire has 12v?

    Trying to get a handle on HOW/WHY the wire in dash would 'toggle', a ground - but you have no added switches.
     
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  14. Aug 10, 2019 at 6:57 PM
    #14
    JKBob 25

    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    Even if previous owner ran a remote system. It would have a wire running to it. The remote function of the system is in the fact that it can be activated without hitting a "hardwired" switch. It still needs a wired system. In other words. The wire that would run to a toggle or other switch. Would run to the remote system.
    If i were you. And you want to keep the light and use it where ya can. Start from the light. Just follow and pull all the wiring out. Its not that difficult to wire up an exterior light.
    And as @Awrench posted. Confirm where the 2nd wire is, and it's connected to something. If at all.
     
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  15. Aug 10, 2019 at 10:07 PM
    #15
    Arizona Jim

    Arizona Jim [OP] Active Member

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    This is part of the system - appears to be a relay to me. I assume it is controlled remotely. The wires that go through the firewall apparently get switched power which powers the relay.

    relay.jpg
     
  16. Aug 11, 2019 at 6:07 AM
    #16
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    Yup that be a relay
     
  17. Aug 11, 2019 at 6:14 AM
    #17
    Awrench

    Awrench Well-Known Member

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    it a mystery - I like that as I watch Sherlock and Watson this Sunday morning...

    This was what I was thinking... a relay and how is that wired.... several scenarios run thru mt mind.

    First is the wire running thru dash (from light bar) 12v?
    When Grounding this wire will lights come on ?

    WAG have you used Hi Beams yet?
     
  18. Aug 11, 2019 at 8:38 AM
    #18
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine Moderator

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    What part of Arizona are you in?
     
  19. Aug 11, 2019 at 3:55 PM
    #19
    Arizona Jim

    Arizona Jim [OP] Active Member

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    I haven't checked yet but will assume the wires going through the dash have 12v switched to power the relay (so the lighbar won't come on without ignition on), and the relay is remote contolled.

    Yes, I have tried hi beams, fog lights and every combination I can come up with. I wouldn't like the lightbar coming on with hi beams though. Looks like adding a switch or maybe replacing the relay with a new one that I get a remote with.

    Thanks
    JIm
     
  20. Aug 11, 2019 at 3:56 PM
    #20
    Arizona Jim

    Arizona Jim [OP] Active Member

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    I am in Gilbert now, the Jeep will be stationed in Pine AZ starting the end of the week.
     
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