Passing light switch question

[SundayRider]

Just installed passing lights and for some reason I still have voltage to lights even when the switch on the bucket is off. Shows 12.4 when on and shows 4.3 going to the lights when it is switched off. The lights don't light up but shouldn't it show zero? Do I have a bad switch?

 

Scott

[djh3]

Is it run with a relay in the circuit? If just straight thru switch I supose it could be bleed thru. But I suspect something else needs to be looked at. Sounds fishy.

[Marcarl]

Could be that you have the power going to the lights and are switching the ground wire, that way there is always power at the lights but it won't flow until you close the circuit with the switch.

[djh3]

Ah yes. The British way of controling elec.

[SundayRider]

No I didn't do the relay at this time. I'm kind of pressed for time so I just factory wired it for now. I'll make it right later on. I've done a fair amount of wiring in the past just never saw a switch show juice when it is in the off position. Only one wire to the switch (hot) and grounding thru the buckets the way they came. I was just asking so I will have the parts (possible new switch) I need when I run the relay later on. I'm not sure how much juice may trip the relay and I intend to run it with the switch on the light bucket.

 

Thanks guys, Scott

[etcswjoe]

Usally happens if you have a bad ground.

[ragtop69gs]

Also check to be sure the brights are off. Factory setup shuts off driving lamps when the brights are on.

[SundayRider]

I wired them to the blue (hot when key is on) wire so they will work whenever I want them.

 

Good thought on the ground, I'll check that out.

 

Thanks guys, Scott

[ragtop69gs]

If you used those blue scotch quick connectors, get them out of there and solder the connections, the high draw of that circuit doesn't like those connectors. PO had mine done that way.

 

Something is backfeeding low voltage. Disconnect the lamps and check for that 4.3V