PIAA help

[lewis]

The truck I bought has 2 fog light PIAA's and a 2 6 inch or so PIAA lights. The fog lights have a fuse and they work well. The bigger lights don't work and have the PIAA wiring harness. I can't find a fuse anywhere and am not sure what the two things that the harness plugs into. Any info is appreciated. -Lewis

 

[cruiseroutfit]

... I can't find a fuse anywhere and am not sure what the two things that the harness plugs into. Any info is appreciated. -Lewis

Huh?

Sounds like the smaller fog lights are run directly off of a switch and the larger lights are on a harness with a relay. Post some pics

 

[lewis]

Yeah, the smaller ones run off switch. I will get pics of the stuff I am talking about. I think one is probably a relay.

 

[H-K]

this diagram might help. I'm assuming your PIAA "harness" is laid out like this, but may not be. It's easy to wire your own, just make sure the gauge of the lamp wiring and relay is suited to the amperage draw of the lamps. The switch portion of the wiring is low-amperage, so it won't require thicker wire. Relays are available at Autozone, Checker, Radio Shack, etc. Hope this helps and doesn't make things more confusing.

http://www.suvlights.com/images/aux_wiring_diagrams.jpg

BTW if your other lights are wired directly through a switch, you might want to check the wire gauge and switch rating to make sure they are suited to the amperage draw on those lamps. Those may be better off rewired with a relay as well.

Here's a basic table that might help you select your wire:

Power & Ground Cable Specs
Cable Size --- Wire Gauge Current Capacity Amperage (amps)

4ga --- <150 amps
8ga --- <100 amps
10ga --- <60 amps
12ga --- <40 amps
14ga --- <25 amps
16ga --- <15 amps

 

[lewis]

this diagram might help. I'm assuming your PIAA "harness" is laid out like this, but may not be. It's easy to wire your own, just make sure the gauge of the lamp wiring and relay is suited to the amperage draw of the lamps. The switch portion of the wiring is low-amperage, so it won't require thicker wire. Relays are available at Autozone, Checker, Radio Shack, etc. Hope this helps and doesn't make things more confusing.

http://www.suvlights.com/images/aux_wiring_diagrams.jpg

BTW if your other lights are wired directly through a switch, you might want to check the wire gauge and switch rating to make sure they are suited to the amperage draw on those lamps. Those may be better off rewired with a relay as well.

Here's a basic table that might help you select your wire:

Power & Ground Cable Specs
Cable Size --- Wire Gauge Current Capacity Amperage (amps)

4ga --- <150 amps
8ga --- <100 amps
10ga --- <60 amps
12ga --- <40 amps
14ga --- <25 amps
16ga --- <15 amps

Thanks for the info. I do have PIAA switches and there is no inline fuse. I will get pics soon.

 

[lewis]

Pic

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Small one is the relay, not sure what the big one is. What kind of lights are they, could it be a ballast setup?

 

[lewis]

I believe they are the 6" 520 series.

 

[H-K]

There's a FAQ on PIAA's website that says you can call their customer servvice line to get a set of instructions. It would be nice if they'd just let you download an electronic version, but hopefully they'll only charge you a couple of bucks for postage.

http://www.piaa.com/FAQs/FAQs.html

 

[lewis]

Thanks for the help guys. Sometimes the obvious and easiest solution is not sought after first like it should. After taking all the wiring out and finding out everything works just fine hooked up straight to the battery, I reinstalled the unit to find it still not working in the truck and then I realized the big lights are hooked up to only come on when the high beams are on. D.A.O.R. -Lewis

 

[Tacoma]

Duuuuuurrrrr


It's always the little things.