Reducing the Wire cluster on ARB air compressor with single switch on Jeep Gladiator or Wrangler

[@fordfoto2797]

Im referring to the switch harness that ARB supplies in their wiring loom. You would still be utilizing the relay provided.

[@ajphillipsjeeps]

Yes I reused the included relay, switch and pressure sensor. All I pretty much did was take out the extra wire they had in to also allow locker switches to be installed.

[@davidgore5719]

I have this for my 2003 Jeep TJ Rubicon. What a PITA--can't get anything to work as advertised!! Installed compressor a couple years ago and it worked..., then couldn't get the compressor to turn on recently when turning switch to "on" position. Instructions don't let you know until step 9/10 of trouble shooting that if system is pressurized, you need to relieve pressure to get it to cycle back on. This means you need to have hose connected and press the "button" and compressor will eventually cycle back on. Wasted hours of my time troubleshooting to get it to come on but didn't figure this out until hours later (user error on my part). Now, I cannot get the lower light to come on when powered. I ran a jumper wire to the parking lamp fuse block since the dash lights come on when you turn on the parking lights, however, it didn't work--no lower light illumination. Then I read a forum member say to tie wire to the AC/heater control orange wire to make it light up and be dimmable--what a load of malarkey!!! No lower light much less....,dimmable. Bottom line: Which wire on your Gladiator did you tie into to get the bottom ARB light (blue wire with white strip) to light up and be able to dim it with your dimmer switch (on the left side turn signal on my Jeep TJ)? Please let me know so I can get this working. ARB instructions are absolutely hideous--they need to keep it simple. Uhhggg!!

[@ajphillipsjeeps]

@davidgore5719 if you were to watch the video, I don't hook up the lower light separate. I spliced it in to only be on when the switch is in the on position since it is under the hood and being lite all the time is not needed. It does sound like the switch light might be bad.

[@fordfoto2797]

Would it work if you completely removed the switch harness and ran you red and black straight to the single switch?

[@ajphillipsjeeps]

It would technically work, but you would have to buy a switch that power the Amperage going through it. Much cheaper and easier to wire a relay. All the switch does is trigger the relay on.

[@alexalanis4830]

Please pardon my ignorance but since you aren't running the switch wiring through the fire wall, are you no longer tapping into fuses? I would like my switch to always have power and not have to turn on my vehicle for the compressor to work.

[@ajphillipsjeeps]

That is correct, I am not using the jeep factory fuse or fuse taps. I did install a fuse at the battery where it plugs in before running the wire to the switch. You always want a fuse as close to the power source incase a wire goes bad or something grounds that it stops power flow.

[@ericschmidt1987]

The inline fuse you bought how much amp (I think that’s the term) is it rated? I’m using your video as a guide for my JL single switch install.

[@ericschmidt1987]

@@ajphillipsjeeps did you a 10 amp inline fuse?

[@ajphillipsjeeps]

@ericschmidt1987 I will have to look at what size I used, but you do not need a lot of amps since it is essentially only giving power to the switch light and triggering the relay which carries the high amps. A 5 or 10 should be fine but I will try to remember and check today.

[@prado.offroad]

i honestly wish ARB would stop wrapping these harnesses in electrical tape, trying to follow the diagrams from the relay and working out what has been piggy backed off what is a pain in the ass, just did a similar single compressor on a friends prado which was a nightmare, just strip the tape and following the wiring to see what the diagrams leave out worked best for me, secondly if you arent using the pressure switch or are just testing without make sure to jumper the two connectors, i made that mistake and was second guessing myself why the f@&king thing wasnt working

[@ajphillipsjeeps]

Yep, kind surprised they don't offer 2 sets and even some longer setups for people running the pumps in the cabs.