How to Connect a Light Bar to High Beams using a Three Way Switch 2014 Silverado

The wait is over! We have finally created a detailed and step by step guide to hard wiring a light bar to a vehicle's high beams using a three way switch and a relay.
This guide was filmed on my 2014 Silverado but the process should be very similar on most vehicles and identical on the following vehicles:
Chevy: Suburban, Tahoe
GMC: Sierra, Yukon
Cadillac: Escalade
#3rdGenSilverado #3rdGenDIYs #GMTruckMods
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⚠️Try anything shown in this video at your own risk ⚠️
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🔩Parts (Affiliate Links)
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You can purchase a very similar Auxbeam 32" light bar (and other sizes) on Amazon here: amzn.to/2T3gqrP This one includes a wiring harness.
3 Pin Add A fuse: amzn.to/2S2SpUm
1N4005 Diode: amzn.to/2W7cR5X
3 way switch (Pack of 10): amzn.to/2DtEnDn
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Associated Videos
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How to Remove Silverado Bumper, Grill, and Headlights:
• How To Remove 2014-201...
How to Install and Wire Auxbeam LED Light Bar behind Silverado Sierra Grille: • How to Install and Wir...
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[@jroenker1]

Good Video. Both of them. Thank you for taking the time to show people how to NOT burn their vehicles to the ground. Well done on every aspect of the how to. Thanks!

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Thank you! Hope it helps!

[@jroenker1]

Absolutely helped 100%. Thank you

[@TuneInBurnOutTV]

Similar truck. In for this!

[@IBtrollinyoufool]

Your diagram was so helpful! Thank you!

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Glad it helped!

[@Allsopcd]

Nice to see such a well done comprehensive video with live action diagram. Very clear and concise. Thanks

[@TheSundaeDrive]

No problem! Hope it helps!

[@Flapjacktheclown]

Thank you!

[@williammagarian3712]

nice video, thanks buddy : )

[@TheSundaeDrive]

You got it! 👍👍

[@Brutepaintballer]

Needz more switches!!

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Yessss

[@stinkenlinken]

Hey, I really appreciated the video on adding a 3 way switch and controlling the light bar and high beams together and independently. I was wondering in your diagram where you would put and inline fuse for the Light bar? I would have expected to see one either in the feed to relay 30 or between 87 and the light bar. What do you think? Where should the inline fuse go?

[@yvesjodogne1956]

Love the way you explain the diagrams. How about a case of having auxiliary light 1 on when hi-beam is on, and auxiliary light 2 on only when hi-beam is NOT on?

[@domenicmaiani3795]

Great videos, kinda creepy that KZbin knows this has been on my mind for a few days and now your video is recommended... I'm a new subscriber and this is now one of my favorite videos. How can I discern whether the relay i have has the "flywheel" diode? By the way, looks super handy to have a 3rd hand when soldering! I'm a little jealous... probably really difficult to find shirts though 😉 !!!

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Welcome aboard! Thanks for watching! A 3rd hand really does come in "handy" haha. I would look on www.mcmaster.com/ and find one with a flywheel

[@steveraj75]

Hi bro, I just installed relay harness for my LED bullbs in both low and high beams. Is it a good idea to do that? Will it affect my LED bulbs in any way? Will my LEDs throw more light? Appreciate your advice, please

[@philliplow5379]

Never heard of a fuse tap, makes this video worthwhile for me.

[@TheSundaeDrive]

No problem! They make adding lights etc a lot easier

[@jroenker1]

Fuse tap aka fuse piggyback. Absolutely one of the best things added in auto electrical industry in a long time!

[@3xjlerma]

For installing a flywheel diode, what's the best way of installing it on the wiring harness that connects to the relay? The diode wire seems too short to bend them on each end and shove them down into the connectors. Any ideas?

[@willwolfe1913]

I installed the same auxbeam light bar behind my grill just like the first video. I want to do a straight install to the highbeams. I read in the past comments just run the relay straight to the high beam add a fuse? What do I do with the other wires coming out of the relay? Thanks in advance

[@kenarcher2292]

Could you explain the diode install in detail

[@DrewTimelapse]

Hey buddy quick question. My relays have an 87a option, should I ignore that in this case and just use the 87?

[@jesseperry2199]

Thanks for taking the time to do these videos they have been very helpful. Question: I would like to just tap into the bright headlights and not use a switch at all. I have ran my current wire with a switch on it over to the fuse box, when I cut off the switch it will have 3 wires, blue, white, and black. Which wire do I tap into the bright fuse? white or blue or both? should I just ground the black (assume its ground) to the body next to the fuse box? Also if it matters I have a fuse for each bright head light. Maybe tap the blue wire to one and white to the other? Thanks for the help. EDIT UPDATE the switch does has a red light on it to show when the switch is turned on. Assuming that why there are 2 power wires.

[@denverkenyon3203]

Yes, thats why there are 2 power wires, one for the lights, and one for the indicator light.

[@connorbarrick2065]

If I'm not using the aftermarket 3 way switch, I don't need the constant or the ground from the switch harness, correct? I can simply wire the add a circuit directly to the 30 pole?

[@eddier9921]

Hey, could I do still this if my switch is Auxbeam’s 8 gang switch panel? Because that panels switches are just on and off.

[@traviscampbell2388]

Was wondering how I do this if my high and low beams are on the same fuse? I did exactly the way you have it and even with the car off both ways I rock the switch it comes on. High beams are off as well.

[@danielbonner8309]

Man you got me tripping on this diode thing. Why dont harnesses have them included? Do I really need one? Down the rabbit hole I go 🤸

[@FernandoPereira-or4ie]

Can you do vid on how to do connect them to the low beams

[@TheSundaeDrive]

You would do the same thing but tap into the lowbeam fuse.

[@TravelTherapist_Bue]

Do I need a 3 way switch if I just want to use the car’s high beam to power my pod light on and off ?

[@murphybarrera3170]

I have a jeep wrangler 2009. I have tapped the high beam line for my switch to the relay. What I am finding that occasionally the LED Light Bar is flickering (seems the relay electromagnetic switch is oscillating the signal sent due to the PWM high beam line). Where should I start or look at to solve this issue? Thank you!

[@itsmayo5640]

So I purchased a torch series light bar grille setup would like to run my wiring like this cause it seems like a better way, just wanted to know how you mounted the 3-way switch? Cause I currently have my light bar into my fog lights.

[@TheSundaeDrive]

So I still have mine loose in that upper opening. I may build a plate to Mount in that space for any additional switches. I still have several upgrades I am going to do (adding a camera and more lights) so I am holding off on mounting anything until that is done.

[@itsmayo5640]

@@TheSundaeDrive oh ok thanks for the reply, would you be doing a video on the installation of a tailgate light bar?

[@TheSundaeDrive]

I'm going to be adding a rear facing light bar to my headache rack very soon. I have all the parts and just waiting to shoot the video. I am going to make it activate in reverse and with the bed lighting. By tailgate light bar do you mean the led strip between the tailgate and bumper?

[@howardmiller4241]

I have a question I have a 2017 GMC Sierra and I have the auto high beam on the truck. Ok if u turn on ur high beams the driving lights shut off , is there a way to keep the driving lights on when u turn on the high beams? Also the auto high beam function will not work if the driving lights are on . I want to be able to have the driving lights and high beams at the same time, please tell me there is a way to make this happen lol?

[@jlb197736]

Do you guys have a video how to wire up extra fog lights to the fog light switch. I have stock ones and just bought the big bangers from morimoto (yellow lens)

[@TheSundaeDrive]

It would pretty much be the same as this but going to a different fuse.

[@mitch3709]

Have a review on how its held up in a year and how you have it mounted?

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Still working 👍 no issues

[@kenarcher2292]

what is Your white (constant power) and is it only receive 12 V when the key in ACC position

[@shackleton274]

Is it possible to do it without the 3 way switch...i just want it in position 3

[@kenarcher2292]

WHICH TERMINAL ON THE RELAY DOES THE CENTER WIRE CONNECT TO?

[@nirwin]

How do you know if your relay has a diode built in?

[@bretthigdon6371]

What’s the diode for? And is it needed?

[@ark2380]

Is this a reliable solution for the long run? Since I don't usually check the wirings too often unless there is any issues coming up. Any chance of short circuit or fire hazard?

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Mine has made it through a winter with no issues. Make sure to use marine heat shrink on all connections to ensure water doesn't sneak in and don't leave an exposed wires and you should be good.

[@stevenshumate3430]

What gauge wire did you use?

[@zacharymoreira95]

Where did you end up mounting the switch? I'm planning on using this but for reverse flush mounted lights instead. This was super useful!

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Still haven't mounted it lol. I'm actually in the process of figuring out a way to integrate it completely into factory controls potentially. That video probably won't be out until early next year tho

[@zacharymoreira95]

I ended up doing an on/off/on toggle switch but instead of putting it where the trailer break would be I used a factory fastener at the bottom to slide it in. This video saved my life when I couldn’t pass the wires through the boot grommet.

[@kevinw.1737]

I removed the 12v cigarette lighter switch and installed the switch there. The hole is already there in the dash and hidden away

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Not a bad idea!

[@kevinw.1737]

@@TheSundaeDrive thanks

[@myusernameis654]

Hey, so I am a little confused. You have this wired to your brights, and with the switch to allow it to run independent of the brights or with the brights. Is the power to the lights still controlled by the brights stalk? And the switch just controls whether or not it uses one or both?

[@TheSundaeDrive]

So when the three way switch is in the center position, the light bar will not turn on by any method. Switch the switch to position one turns on the light bar (the relay closes the connection via the energized relay and now the light bar is connected directly to the battery so that it will continually run until the battery drains). In position 1, the high beam switch operates independently and has no control over the light bar. When you put the 3-way switch into position 3, the high beam switch now controls the light bar operation. If the high beams are off, the coils in the relay are not connected to power so the relay remains open. If you turn the high beams on, the coils in the relay are energized and the connection is closed, connecting the light bar to power. The light bar is always connected directly to the battery, the connection is either controlled by position 1 on the 3-way or position 3 via the high beams.

[@myusernameis654]

@@TheSundaeDrive ah! Perfect! Thank you so much for your detailed explanation.

[@BelfastADI]

Excellent video.. so informative. My LR4 does not have a fuse for the high beam. In that case, should I just connect it to the wire feed into the rear of the light unit?

[@kenarcher2292]

is the diode important?

[@sambohanan4081]

Is it possible to do this with jus a regular rocker switch?

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Not as a 3 way setup that I have. You could just have it on with the high beams or always off with just a regular rocker switch. The 3 way switch is nice if the truck is off but I need light, I can just turn the switch on.

[@kosieS]

Hi quick question. I have F150 2020 and no fuse to hook into high beam. Apparently there is a module that works it. What are my other options?

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Interesting, you could Find a wire for the high beams and tap into that.

[@Ubon94]

If you only want a light bar to work with high beam than you dont need a switch at all right? From a light bar Would you just wire red to a high beam fuse and black to ground?

[@TheSundaeDrive]

The 3 way switch is only so you can use them independently correct.

[@greensoldier20]

Same question I had. I just wanna hook the light bar straight to the fuse tap for the high beams. In that case can I get away with just hot wire to fuse and ground to ground? No switch and no second relay. Will that be ok to do? Or should I use another relay ?

[@PetePoblo1]

I have the same truck. I drilled the hole in the same spot in the fuse box. When the wire is inserted in the whole when I turn the ignition off the truck stays running even with the battery unhooked. If I remove the wire and turn the ignition off the truck kills. I wouldn't recommend putting the wire up through the bottom of the fuse box.

[@TheSundaeDrive]

That is extremely odd. I seem to recall some relays near where I drilled. Nothing underneath but stuff on top so you need to be careful where you drill. I'm curious what your electrical setup. Are you using a similar relay and three way switch?

[@dg8194]

There is a circuit board that covers the entire area of the fuse box. Drilling down through the fuse box in that area drills through the circuit board.

[@Bharris012]

My high beams have 2 fuses. One for the right and one for the left. How would I tap into them?

[@TheSundaeDrive]

You only need to use one if the two. As long as either is tapped, the light bar will come on since both high beams turn on together.

[@Johnny0Zanni]

I have a 2009 Silverado and the high beam fuse is only 2 blade, am I still able to do this? Thank you

[@MrAlexander2467]

Yes, they do make 2 bladed tap fuses for things like this.

[@adampratt9733]

Wat would you do with negative switch ..high beam

[@gabejohnson2051]

I have a 2001 duramax where the high beam wire becomes negative when they are on. Looking into adding another relay….

[@craigpugh1366]

man ive watched this 100 times i just keep gettimg lost when you stat wiring in to fuse box and to your new switch , and i dont want to wire something up wrong

[@kevinlivingstone1800]

I did this same set up, but some times the lights have a delayed reaction when going of from the full beam, about 10 seconds...when going off from the switch its fine, any ideas?

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Hmmm, sounds like there is a capacitor slowly discharging or a parasitic draw on the battery. Did you install a diode?

[@kevinlivingstone1800]

@@TheSundaeDrive thanks for the reply, i ripped every thing out and started again, i forgot i had to extend the cable as it wasnt long enough, when taking it out the earth had poped out the conector, so hopfully thats it now !

[@TheSundaeDrive]

@@kevinlivingstone1800 hopefully that fixes it for you!

[@kingkodiak4840]

Could you just run the power wire staright to the fuse tap so you don't need a switch, and it only comes on with high beams? if that question makes sense lol

[@kingkodiak4840]

Pretty much im asking can you not hook the power wire up from the relay and just run the red wire from relay straight to fuse tap? that should work im assuming because when the high beams come on through the fuse it should send power to relay which would in turn, turn the light bar on? lol

[@kingkodiak4840]

nevermind lol I see the previous comment, thanks and love your channel

[@TheSundaeDrive]

You can definitely hook it up without the switch so it will always come on with the high beams. I like having the option to turn it in with the truck completely off tho. It has come in handy several times. Thank you! Glad you are enjoying the content :)

[@SeniorSpicyTurds]

What gauge is the extension wire?

[@TheSundaeDrive]

They aren't carrying an significant current so a 14 Guage should be ok. It depends how long of a run you are doing of course

[@cdlund2840]

Unfortunately there is no room for an add-a-fuse in my RAV4 fusebox and it also has two high beam fuses, one for each headlight. I guess I am stuck with a separate switch.

[@49Wildman]

Just a little tip. those butt connectors are flared so you heat shrink them to the wire.

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Thanks!

[@ark2380]

What if we can't get the diode?

[@TheSundaeDrive]

It probably would be ok without the diode for awhile. Amazon has them. It may shorten the life of some of the hardware but I don't think it will significantly.

[@ActuallyJesus69]

I get the problem that the LED bar turns on opposite of the high beams. anybode else had this problem?

[@Juicecarpenter55]

Please don’t solder the wires like you’re going to put them in a wire nut. They need to replicate the way the wire was originally.

[@patrickmalone9345]

sooooo, lets assume that someone has a fuse that is for both high AND low beams. then what?

[@TheSundaeDrive]

A 3 way switch would still work, it would just turn on for both low and high beams and could also be turned off and on independently

[@stephenreese5921]

Wouldn’t be easier to have a tap, from the high beams to the relay (if needed at all), directly to the auxbeam, to activate the light bar whenever the high beams are selected? Most people would want the auxbeam to come on whenever the high beams were selected. Just saying.

[@TheSundaeDrive]

You can directly go to the high beams and avoid the switch inside the cabin all together. I wanted the option to have it come in without the high beams too. This lets me turn the light bar on automatically with the high beams and also turn it on when the truck is fully off.

[@cpt_sweettooth]

How do I eliminate the third party which and just work when I activate high beams. Can you send me a diagram to my email

[@TheSundaeDrive]

So you want it to either be off or just on with your high beams? Never in without the high beams?

[@SeniorSpicyTurds]

I think that’s what he means

[@theamerican7080]

Me too. All the videos show the same information nobody needs.

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Do you want it to have a two way switch that only activates it with the high beams or turns it off without independent operation or not even a two way and only with the high beams?

[@leightaylor7019]

@@TheSundaeDrive only with the high beams.

[@Zeropointbug]

not at all helping for a 2003 honda crv. Trying to find a high beam wire from some kind of headlight relay

[@philliplow5379]

Called "Fly Block", not "Flywheel". Amazon lists many of the former but none of the latter.

[@TheSundaeDrive]

I assume you meant fly "back" diode? You are correct. It can actually be referred to by both terms but flyback is the more common term

[@trillis25]

anybody else getting a porn site by clicking the auxbeam link for the harness??

[@sergioramirez978]

This is so illegal lol at least in SC, NC and GA

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Illegal to use on the road. Fine for off road.

[@theamerican7080]

How about a video without the switch nobody needs?

[@TheSundaeDrive]

We could definitely do that. Pretty straight forward. Just use a relay and tap it into the high beams in the same place we did and that will work without any additional switches needed 👍

[@jroenker1]

😂

[@PBS-nm1uu]

lost,

[@guillaumethibodeau332]

Who dident understand shit cause they don't know nothing in eletric?

[@boggo58]

This has to be the MOST CONFUSING explanation ever for just connecting to the high beams.

[@chickenlegs28porkchops94]

I can’t extra lights, most people around where I live have them and ride your bumper lighting up a raccoons asshole.

[@TheSundaeDrive]

That is annoying - I only turn them on on back roads when I am alone. They help spotting deer which are pretty heavy around here and are nice for lighting up a yard. Very annoying when other drivers blind you with them tho

[@michaelarcher600]

How do you know if your relay has a built in diode?

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Should show on the diagram or you can look up the datasheet