ollie302 Posted December 31, 2016 Share Posted December 31, 2016 I have a 2015 F 150 XLT Supercrew and would like to add a LED light strip below the tailgate. Best information I have is when plugging one into the 4 pin trailer plug, it shuts down the back up camera. Anyone know how to wire this without disabling the back camera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfeman Posted January 1, 2017 Share Posted January 1, 2017 When do you want it to come on? Match the tail lights? On with cargo lamp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie302 Posted January 2, 2017 Author Share Posted January 2, 2017 My intention is to wire it the same as the rear directional lights, stop, tail, turn and back up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfeman Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 (edited) I would assume you would need to splice into one of the wires for the tail lights or the trailer hitch. Find out which wire is hot for what you want and then find a good ground. Shouldn't be terribly hard. Probably need something like one of these - https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Splice-Connector-22-18-Gauge/dp/B003L9G6FU - just make sure you get the right gauge for your wires. Also, don't use the trailer hitch ground as your ground. Should probably find another bare metal part underneath the truck to ground to. Edited January 2, 2017 by Wolfeman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie302 Posted January 2, 2017 Author Share Posted January 2, 2017 Thanks Wolfeman, but I have to find out why it disables the camera and sensors before I splice in. If I had to chose, the camera and sensors are more important than the additional light. I put a question out to the manufacturer, Putco, but haven't heard back yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordtech1 Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 If you are plugging it up to trailer connection the bcm must think a trailer is attached and disables those features because a trailer attached makes them useless. You probably will have to splice in to tail light wiring. Is this the strip that blinks one side or the other with turn signal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie302 Posted January 2, 2017 Author Share Posted January 2, 2017 Yes, its made by Putco and is 60" wide with stop, tail, turn and back up functions. Just out of curiosity what is a BCM? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordtech1 Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Body control module. It controls almost all electronic systems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie302 Posted January 3, 2017 Author Share Posted January 3, 2017 Do you know how the BCM would react if I spliced the LED light strip into the taillight harness? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordtech1 Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 I think splicing into the tail lamps are the only way. The bcm shouldn't even notice it. It looks for a load on trailer wire because its not always hooked up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pioneer Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Splicing into the tail lamp harness is the way to go. There are many threads about this on F-150 sites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie302 Posted January 3, 2017 Author Share Posted January 3, 2017 Thanks guys, the assistance is much appreciated. I love this truck and now its going to be even better ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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