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switch wiring - can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong?

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 6:31 am
by BobCT
I'm replacing my helm lighting switches (engine rm, deck lights) with Carling Contoura's that have a built in indicator light.

The old switches are right next to each other and wired as follows:

all white wires tied together
12v black feed goes to SW #1 and then jumped to other two
ground to each switch
ea switch has two terminals

The new switches have three terminals. I can get them working (on/off) but can't get the indicator light functional. If I "jump" from the 12v term to the indicator light terminal, the light will only come on in the "off" position, not when turned "on". I tried reversing the other two terminals but it didn't make a difference.

They're wired the same as the old switches but I have the extra terminal. I called Carling and they said I shouldn't have to jump anything.

What am I missing?

thanks,
Bob

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 8:18 am
by Stripermann2
Check out page 2 and 3. Does this help?

http://www.totalsource.com.au/pdfs/Swit ... 200907.pdf

Be sure you have the correct switch, normally closed or normally open.

wiring

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 9:34 am
by davidsmith
If the old switch was a push pull or a toggle with no light then you only have positive wires connected to switch. You will need a negative wire for the light to function.

Re: wiring

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 6:13 pm
by prowlersfish
davidsmith wrote:If the old switch was a push pull or a toggle with no light then you only have positive wires connected to switch. You will need a negative wire for the light to function.

That is correct

thanks guys, that does help....

Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 8:37 am
by BobCT
it looks like I need to run a ground wire to each of the #7 terminals to get the indicator light working.

I'll try that tonight!


Bob

that was it, ran a ground from one switch and jumped the....

Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 8:49 pm
by BobCT
ones.

thanks!