Three way switch??

[Micro469]

I got a ceiling light from a mercedes that i want to use and it has a three way switch, I'm guessing on, door and off. It uses a three prong connector and I'm not sure how to wire it . I also hve two lights i want to use as reading lights that also have a switch on, door and of, but only have two wire connectors. Anybody got any advice on how to wire them?
( It would be nice to have a light turn on when you open the door at night...)

[angib]

The normal way this would be wired would be with three wires:
- a permanently-on live (ie, +ve) feed
- a (permanent) ground (ie, -ve)
- a ground that is only connected to ground through a door switch when a door is opened.

Moving the switch would select which of the two grounds is used or neither.

You will need to use a multi-tester to work out which terminal on the light is which.

Andrew

[Micro469]

I can see how that would work with the ceiling light but what about the side lights? they only have two wires coming out t he back......

[Dale M.]

Here is how to wire three way switch with more than one "lamp"...




For multiple "lights" they just need to be wired in parallel to each other, "between the switches" ...

Any single pole double throw switch may be used.

For ease of wiring use 3 different wire colors... RED is usually the "runners" between switches as shown in picture...


Dale

[GHOSTSSX]

Cool, a picture from the future!!!

CHUCK

[Dale M.]

Cool, a picture from the future!!!

CHUCK

Ack... Jus when u thunk u dun goood, u finds a mistrake.

Dale

[Micro469]

I can see how that would work with the ceiling light but what about the side lights? they only have two wires coming out t he back......

O.K., I took the covers off and found out why they only have two wires. the third connection is gounded to the body of the car by one of the mounting screws.....