Where the hell is the PARKING WIRE?

[tiz22]

I've looked everywhere for a picture or specific location but can't find anything besides a quick "tap into the parking wire..."

Basically, I'm installing the DRL LED strip this weekend and all the DIYs tap into the power wire for the outlet in the glovebox (white wire)...This is because they want the LEDs on all the time when the ignition is turned on.

I want them on only when I turn my DRL's on (off if my stalk is set to OFF) so everyone is saying you have to wire them to your PARKING WIRE power wire...Which wire is that? Can someone help me out?

I tried tapping into driver side DRL red wire with no luck.

[Hardrock4445]

Not being rude, but wiring should be done by a professional. Or at least someone who has an understanding of basic electrical circuits and the ability to properly "make" electrical wiring. I do not know the answer off the top of my head or I would give it to you. But this basic understanding and a test light is all you need to figure it out.

[SCharged]

Something to do with the DRLs turning off when you pull the parking brake? There could be an interupter somewhere in the parking brake lever assembly.

[tiz22]

Originally Posted by Hardrock4445

Not being rude, but wiring should be done by a professional. Or at least someone who has an understanding of basic electrical circuits and the ability to properly "make" electrical wiring. I do not know the answer off the top of my head or I would give it to you. But this basic understanding and a test light is all you need to figure it out.

No rudeness taken
I'm an engineer so I do have basic wiring knowledge and have successfully wired in my aftermarket head unit and a reverse cam with absolutely no prior knowledge so I assume I can do this one pretty easily...All i need is the location of the wire and I'm good to go.

I could use a test light later tonight and try a bunch of different wires to find the one that I want but I figured asking this very helpful group of people would yield a quicker result as I work every day until 5-6pm and could have the answer before I'm home.

Originally Posted by SCharged

Something to do with the DRLs turning off when you pull the parking brake? There could be an interupter somewhere in the parking brake lever assembly.

I see what you mean...But even if that were true when the parking brake is down it should still work (which it currently does not)

[SCharged]

Hard to say really, maybe try to lookup some recent subaru lights wiring diagrams. I'd be surprised if they have substantial differences from one model to another.. but maybe I'm wrong.

I read your post incorrectly at first. In a lot of places, DRLs are mandatory and you cant turn them on or off, but you say ''I want them on only when I turn my DRL's on'' Your DRLs will always be on unless you turn your headlights on. You'll have to wire your new LEDs to the same circuit as the one you want controlling your LEDs..

Perhaps try setting it up as per the instructions and start switching things around from there... at least you'll be sure that your LEDs are not deffective. It could be a voltage thing too, no?

[tiz22]

I believe @Tylub will know...He did the same thing as I want to

And no, my DRLs are not on unless my stalk is in the first "ON" position (not turned all the way but not off)

[SCharged]

Cool to know. I believe in all of Canada, they are mandatory, and they are on all the time. In my car they are anyways; stalk is off, but DRLs are on.

Good luck with the install.

[tiz22]

I think someone answered my question in another thread...he is saying the parking wire would be the SIDE MARKER wire (which I know exactly where that biatch is)

I'll try that tonight unless anyone else can offer any more information

[bcj]

LED are diodes, and so, direction of the current makes a difference.
When hooked up backwards, they don't work at all even if there is power available.

Not saying this is your problem, but I know of people this has stumped before.

[tiz22]

Originally Posted by bcj

LED are diodes, and so, direction of the current makes a difference.
When hooked up backwards, they don't work at all even if there is power available.

Not saying this is your problem, but I know of people this has stumped before.

Is it possible to hook this LED strip up backwards? I definitely know what you're talking about when it comes to LED lights (reverse lights, lisence place, etc.) but this strip comes pre-wired and you simply plug in the connectors so would hooking them up backwards be possible?

[bcj]

If the plug is directional, The wires can be assembled in the wrong order. It's less likely though.

You can test the assembly with temporary wires directly from the battery terminals, taking note of positive and negative polarity.

Most crimp on wire ends used in plug assemblies have a spring tab to hold them in.
A micro flat screwdriver or other thin tool can be used in the plug end to compress the tab and pull the wire and crimp end out the back of the plug.
If you need to re-arrange the wires.

Plug and play should work properly, but where do you use the plug to tap into the middle of existing wire run?
The way it was explained, it's being spliced in.

[jkr]

if you're looking for the wire to the parking lights from the stalk, this guy has his fogs wired to the parking lights: [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5xmjxmRYBc"]Scion Frs Fog Lights DIY (Part 1) - YouTube[/ame]