How to Wire 3-Function Reverse/Turn/Stop Light in Vehicle with Combined Stop/Turn Wiring

Updated 03/02/2020 | Published 10/13/2014

Question:

I have a 1997 dodge ram 3500. I put a flat bed on this truck so therefore I need to put new lights on. I purchased a combo light with 3 separate lights, white section for back up, red section for stop and yellow for turn. on the truck wiring harness stop and turn are on the same wire. how can I wire each individual light? I got the back up lights working fine. I just need help with the stop and turn signal. they want to light up together. I really want separate lights and do not want to used a combo light.

asked by: B H

Expert Reply:

In order to install your 3-function lights on your 1997 Dodge Ram 3500 that has combined stop/turn wiring you will need a vehicle-to-vehicle taillight converter, part # 118158 from Tow Ready. This converter separates the combined stop/turn functions into separate signals that run on separate wires. This converter will work only on incandescent lights, but not with LEDs.

Your vehicle running/tail light wire will bypass the converter and go directly to the wire on your lights that operates the tail lights. The combined left turn/brake light will go to the yellow input wire. The combined right turn/brake light will go to the green input wire. The white wire must be grounded to the vehicle frame. On the output side you will then have a yellow wire just for left turn signal, a green wire just for right turn signal, and a red wire that will only carry brake lights. The vehicle reverse circuit wire will connect directly to the wire for the white backup light.

expert reply by: Adam R