Under dash wiring question to power GPS

[Ralph6410]

My first modification on my new 2011 Highlander will be to mount a 12v plug for my GPS unit. Running the wire into the currently available plugs is messy in my opinion.

My plan is to mount under the dash a cigarette lighter plug and wire it into a hot when key switch in the on only (preferred) or on / accessory position. I was thinking of not adding the bulk of a cigarette lighter style plug and wiring direct.. but if I change GPS units it will likely also come with a cigarette lighter and this allows for an easier change.

My question.. There are two female plugs under the dash next to the fuse box. Can someone tell me what their intended purpose was / is? Or even better... which, if any, of the wires coming from the fuse box, visible in my poorly focused picture would be hot when the key is in an on position.

I could start probing.. but if someone has already figured this out..



Thanks for your time.
Ralph

[9volt]

Can't you tap into the wiring for one of the existing lighter plugs?

The plug on the right looks like an OBDII plug. You wouldn't want to tap into that.

[Ralph6410]

Thanks 9volt.
I want as easy an access as I can find. To find the wire from one of the two existing lighter plugs would entail removing the consul I would think.. I know none of the functions for the plugs and if you say the one labeled "C" is my OBDII plug then that is good to know.

[9volt]

C looks like an OBDII plug but I don't know that for sure.

I'm going to add another lighter plug at some point and will probably either use a add-a-fuse thing on the fuse box like this:

Amazon

Amazon

or pull a couple panels to access the existing front lighter using these instructions:

DIY Radio and Subwoofer Install in 2009 Toyota Highlander

[Ralph6410]

That add-a-fuse gadget looks interesting.. I think you pasted the wrong instruction link though.. this one brings it back to here..

[sweeneyp]

Originally Posted by Ralph6410

My first modification on my new 2011 Highlander will be to mount a 12v plug for my GPS unit. Running the wire into the currently available plugs is messy in my opinion.

My plan is to mount under the dash a cigarette lighter plug and wire it into a hot when key switch in the on only (preferred) or on / accessory position. I was thinking of not adding the bulk of a cigarette lighter style plug and wiring direct.. but if I change GPS units it will likely also come with a cigarette lighter and this allows for an easier change.

My question.. There are two female plugs under the dash next to the fuse box. Can someone tell me what their intended purpose was / is? Or even better... which, if any, of the wires coming from the fuse box, visible in my poorly focused picture would be hot when the key is in an on position.

I could start probing.. but if someone has already figured this out..

Thanks for your time.
Ralph

Let me try to get this straight, you are trying to get the new cigarette ligher plug to be on when ACC or the vehicle is running and off when no key? Or are you trying to have a hot plug all the time.

If you want to keep it hot all the time, you should probably run just run a power line to the battery with a inline fuse, and ground it at a nearby bolt.

If you want it to run only with the car, just tap into the preexisting cigarette lighter lines under the dash. Take a look at this thread (DIY Radio and Subwoofer Install in 2009 Toyota Highlander) he shows how to take the dash out so you can get to the back of the cigarette lighter on the panel there. The wires would be easy to connect with a quick connect.

Those plugs in the pic. C is a OBD plug stay clear of that. B is the towing converter harness plug. I don't even see the plug at A. Are you just trying to find a 12v source from those plugs?
Hope this helps.
Patrick

[Ralph6410]

Thanks sweeneyp

I had looked at those images and I thought for my purpose he takes a lot off. Perhaps it is the only way.. starting at the top and working down. A very good selection though

Ideally I would have a hot lighter plug "only" when the key is in the on position but will likely have to compromise and accept both "acc" and "on". The negative of that is the GPS will come on when listening to the radio.. not a big deal but less than perfect.

The intent of the arrow "A" was... if one of those wires that come from the fuse box would suit my application. i.e. if for example the "purple" wire goes to the current cigarette lighter I could tap into that.

[sweeneyp]

Originally Posted by Ralph6410

Thanks sweeneyp

I had looked at those images and I thought for my purpose he takes a lot off. Perhaps it is the only way.. starting at the top and working down. A very good selection though

Ideally I would have a hot lighter plug "only" when the key is in the on position but will likely have to compromise and accept both "acc" and "on". The negative of that is the GPS will come on when listening to the radio.. not a big deal but less than perfect.

The intent of the arrow "A" was... if one of those wires that come from the fuse box would suit my application. i.e. if for example the "purple" wire goes to the current cigarette lighter I could tap into that.

Oh i didn't even think that A was pointing to the wires going to the fuse box. Most wires going into there are going to be hot most of the time when the car is on, though I can't find those wires in the wire diagrams I have for the highlander so I can't tell you which one to use specifically.

Im not sure how to get it to work with just the engine running and not ACC mode, but this will get it to work to get a new cigarette lighter. You don't have to take the whole dash apart to get to the cigarette lighter. (this is from his thread)

You can only do this step and have access to the wires going to the cigarette lighter in that panel. and then just wire tap using a quick-connect into the preexisting lines. This would have it on when ACC and the engine is running. You can always add a cheap switch so you can manually turn it off if you want while in ACC.
Hopefully someone can tell you which line you can tap to have it run with the engine only.