High Beam Trigger: Solved.. plug and play

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

aR4CE

Full Access Member
Joined
May 3, 2013
Posts
197
Reaction score
85
Location
Spring, TX
Yes, the elusive high beam trigger has been solved for LED headlights 21+ (Will probably work for other models, too). As we know, there is no high beam light in the modern harnesses, as the module is now in the light.

----> Watch here for it in action <------

I've set high beams to manual, because even if the auto high beam function worked, the glare back from the lights triggers the sensor (known from Gen2). Will do some night tests in auto to confirm. The normal system can be retained by simply switching the aux off, and re-selcting auto high beams for daily driving.

This particular setup is driven through a dual relay box, but the 12V+ out can be used to trigger an Spod, Switchpros, etc.

The secret sauce is the PAC CP1-FRD1 Canpro module. It is designed for car audio interface, but reads the Canbus signal via the steering column control module and gives the needed high beam signal. If someone were to want more functions, it has an array of analog 12V+ outputs, including reverse:
Output 1 Accessory + Positive (250mA) White-RedOutput 2 Illumination + Positive (250mA) BlueOutput 3 Speed Pulse Pulse Green-BlackOutput 4 Reverse + Positive (250mA) Violet-BlackOutput 5 Ignition* + Positive (250mA) Yellow-BlackOutput 6 Left Turn Signal + Positive (250mA) Red-BlackOutput 7 Right Turn Signal + Positive (250mA) Gray-RedOutput 8 High Beam + Positive (250mA) Blue-BlackOutput 9 Parking Brake - Negative (250mA) Brown-Black.

My install is as follows for the Baja XL Linkable. Your results may vary, and if not comfortable working with 12V wiring, perhaps find a friend who is. The goal was to have the system "arm" with aux 2 switch, and trigger via the high beam. Weatherproof box is a Littlefuse HWB18 mini housing, with 2x 30A mini relays.

Wiring summary
1. Added a molex MX150 connector to the under-hood upfitter wires for ease of future installs and service, and same as OEM housings
2. PAC module mounted under dash, and high beam trigger output to aux pass-through 1 in footwell
3. Pass-through upfitter, via the common molex connector, triggers relay #1 (fused)
4. Aux 2 upfitter wire serves as the main power through relay #1, and connected to trigger #2 (do we need a diagram? probably not)
5. Power from battery, w/ 30A in-line fuse to relay #2
6. Output from relay #2 to the light bar
7. Relay box and light bar grounded at factory locations
8. Relay box mounted to battery box via M6 nutserts

Works flawlessly, and no delay in response from the lights.
 

Attachments

  • Screen Shot 2024-03-10 at 9.22.52 PM.png
    Screen Shot 2024-03-10 at 9.22.52 PM.png
    1.6 MB · Views: 54
  • Screen Shot 2024-03-10 at 9.23.44 PM.png
    Screen Shot 2024-03-10 at 9.23.44 PM.png
    2.6 MB · Views: 52
  • Screen Shot 2024-03-10 at 9.23.04 PM.png
    Screen Shot 2024-03-10 at 9.23.04 PM.png
    1.4 MB · Views: 48
  • Screen Shot 2024-03-10 at 9.23.52 PM.png
    Screen Shot 2024-03-10 at 9.23.52 PM.png
    1.2 MB · Views: 49
Last edited:
OP
OP
aR4CE

aR4CE

Full Access Member
Joined
May 3, 2013
Posts
197
Reaction score
85
Location
Spring, TX
Pics
 

Attachments

  • Screen Shot 2024-03-10 at 9.23.35 PM.png
    Screen Shot 2024-03-10 at 9.23.35 PM.png
    1.7 MB · Views: 37
  • Screen Shot 2024-03-10 at 9.24.03 PM.png
    Screen Shot 2024-03-10 at 9.24.03 PM.png
    1.6 MB · Views: 36
  • Screen Shot 2024-03-10 at 9.24.12 PM.png
    Screen Shot 2024-03-10 at 9.24.12 PM.png
    1.4 MB · Views: 36

shigman

FRF Addict
Joined
Jan 12, 2022
Posts
1,132
Reaction score
1,463
Location
Cypress, TX
Holy crap!! Not exactly an electrical tape and wire cutter job, but looks doable. Thank you

I assume if you wanted to add more aux switch lights to be triggered by the highs it wouldn’t be a big deal?
 
Last edited:

The Car Stereo Company

aka grumpy car stereo guy and frf rolodex
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2012
Posts
32,612
Reaction score
23,655
Location
here, on frf
just leave that module accessible. pac has gone downhill in quality. i have replaced so many of their data modules, i have lost count. when that module goes out, you dont want to have to take apart the truck to get to it. we call a pac module a crap module.
 
OP
OP
aR4CE

aR4CE

Full Access Member
Joined
May 3, 2013
Posts
197
Reaction score
85
Location
Spring, TX
Holy crap!! Not exactly an electrical tape and wire cutter job, but looks doable. Thank you

I assume if you wanted to add more aux switch lights to be triggered by the highs it wouldn’t be a big deal?
Thanks, and adding more is very doable. Anything beyond 2 I think I'd do a switchpros for ease and cleanliness (or an LVJ fuse box), but the concept remains the same. See you're in Cypress-- happy to adivse/assist.. Spring here
 
OP
OP
aR4CE

aR4CE

Full Access Member
Joined
May 3, 2013
Posts
197
Reaction score
85
Location
Spring, TX
just leave that module accessible. pac has gone downhill in quality. i have replaced so many of their data modules, i have lost count. when that module goes out, you dont want to have to take apart the truck to get to it. we call a pac module a crap module.
Thanks for the experience, and hopefully it holds up. Unit would take 5 mins to swap. Maybe I'll carry a spare :)
 

FordTechOne

FRF Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2019
Posts
6,664
Reaction score
13,041
Location
Detroit
just leave that module accessible. pac has gone downhill in quality. i have replaced so many of their data modules, i have lost count. when that module goes out, you dont want to have to take apart the truck to get to it. we call a pac module a crap module.
Yep, and when it fails you’re left stranded. The SCCM is on the HS2-CAN bus; which also includes the Gear Shift Module (GSM).
 
OP
OP
aR4CE

aR4CE

Full Access Member
Joined
May 3, 2013
Posts
197
Reaction score
85
Location
Spring, TX
Yep, and when it fails you’re left stranded. The SCCM is on the HS2-CAN bus; which also includes the Gear Shift Module (GSM).
Simply unplugging the unit would render it stock- the connection remains intact, as it’s a passive side and the harness is connected.


Easy enough to bypass or replace anywhere. Reach up and replace, or 3x 7mm screws to unplug and go back to stock.
 
Last edited:
Top