Gizmo

I am trying to wire a license plate relocation bracket and light on a tire carrier swing. Need to tap into the right rear tail light so the license plate light is on when the lights are on. Can anyone tell me what color wire or location is the tail light power? I have a 98 XJ. Thanks Bruce

jtodaro

Why aren't you tapping into your preexisting license plate light circuit?

Gizmo

Thought about it except the stock license plate light is in the center of the tailgate and would be problematic to swing the spare tire carrier open. So I thought it better to route the wire along the swing to the pivot point which is just under the passenger tail/brake/back-up light module.

caged

brown is for running lights

Gizmo

Caged... You Da Man, mission accomplished. Thanks for the help.

awsgrayrd

When in doubt, just check with a light tester! Cheap and easy to verify!

V/r,
awsgrayrd.

caged

no problem mang, simple trailer wiring 101

white = ground
brown = tail/running/side marker/license plate lights
green = right stop/turn
yellow = left stop/turn

Gizmo

Electronics is not my strong point and this is good information to have, so thank you for this.

awsgrayrd

No problem! This is why we are in this community, to simply help each other. Once you get the hang of it and do a few jobs, you'll definitely pick it up.

All I suggest is...try to keep the wires the same color, for any electrical work that is! It saves your hair when trying to repair, but also helps the next guys hair! Hence the "light tester" method. Also try and keep a quick and simple record, in your Chiltons or Haynes...just a note of what caged mentioned and what you had to add to it. Like I said, it keeps you from pulling your hair out and helping the next guy out!

Have fun with it and don't ever rush electrical, there are consequences when doing so. Remember it's your rig, why half a%# it?

V/r,
awsgrayrd.

Gizmo

And a great community it is.