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Parking lights amperage??

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Old 06-26-2005, 07:31 PM
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Default Parking lights amperage??

Does anyone know off hand what amperage it takes to light up the parking lights?? I am trying to install an alarm and that is where I am stuck ( finished actually just one last detail). The alarm I got has an output of 10 amps for the parking light relay ( built in) and as soon as I arm it, it blows the fuse.


I already figured out that it is a negative switch system, I am figuring that the 10 amps is not sufficient and that I need to install an extra relay to handle extra amperage. I also tried to run it backwards ( positive switch) and nothing happened, no lights and no fuse blew.



I am going to go try with a relay but figured I would shoot this out there for now.


For those who didn't figure it out, it is on my 1990 SSE.
Old 06-26-2005, 07:44 PM
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10 amps is plenty for a parking light circuit. What system and vehicle are you workinh with? Some vehicles that I've worked with in the past have the parking light trigger wire rest at ground which would cause fuses to blow.
Old 06-26-2005, 08:12 PM
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Default Re: Parking lights amperage??

Originally Posted by sse1990
For those who didn't figure it out, it is on my 1990 SSE.

Well I just tried to wire up a separate relay with a 15 amp fuse and it blew along with the 15 amp fuse marked license plate, so I guess when they say license plate they mean parking lights too.


I have been able to wire up every other vehicle I have owned but the Bonneville is just not co-operating.


Well everything is done except for flashing parking lights. I even have it wired to use the siren AND the horn on the car, funny thing is that the horn is louder than the siren, hehe.


I am wondering if I have to wire it up the same as other cars I have done and go directly to one of the parking lights and wire it up there.
Old 06-26-2005, 08:15 PM
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I was just going to agree on the 10amps for the parking lights. Mine don't even move the voltmeter when they turn on [engine off]


-justin
Old 06-26-2005, 08:20 PM
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Sorry I didn't read your post throughly.

Are you tapping into the brown wire? You can grab the wire from the back of the head/parking light switch.
Old 06-26-2005, 08:40 PM
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Not sure if it is brown or brown with a white tracer on it. I see 2 brown wires that come out of the back of the switch( they are together) that are the only other possibility, ( checked with voltmeter) but I think they are the dimmer control.


Sure enough though, I ran +12 directly into one of my parking lights with a 10 amp fuse and they all lit up like they are supposed to. So unless I can find out where inside I can do the same thing I have to run another wire through the firewall and do it that way.
Old 06-26-2005, 09:02 PM
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Manual says brown too. No reference to BRN/WHI.

Gray in the dimmer circuit
Old 06-26-2005, 10:32 PM
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I just went at it the other way that works.

I ran a wire through the firewall and hooked it directly to one of my parking lights, then ran the other side of the relay to +12 ( the built in relay for the alarm). Works like a charm now.


Hopefully the sensitivity is not too much, I went halfway. I told Renée to let me know if it goes off or not then I can adjust it if needed.
Old 06-26-2005, 10:36 PM
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Like Randman says...brown is GM'* typical +12V parking light color.
Old 06-26-2005, 10:41 PM
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When I was at the actual light it was the brown wire that I used. Previously I was talking about right at the switch.
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