How to Use the Auxiliary Switches in Your Bronco

David

Mar 05, 2021

*UPDATED WITH CURRENT SPECS FROM USER MANUAL*

https://community.thebronconation.com/how-to-use-the-auxiliary-switches-on-your-bronco/
One of the things that Ford loves to talk about when discussing the Bronco is modularity. To Ford, customization with minimal effort is one of the central reasons to buy their new open air 4×4. Our new How-to video, debuting tonight, will cover how to customize your Bronco by using your pre-run wiring and auxiliary switches to accessories.

What are the auxiliary switches for?
The auxiliary switches, AUX1 through AUX6, make aftermarket customization easier. Six prewired switches connected to the power distribution box of your Bronco allow you to control light bars, pod lights, or an in-Bronco refrigerator. The new Bronco has pre-run wiring in those hard-to-reach places that reduces the amount of tear down required when installing accessories. All you have to do is connect the right circuits together. Furthermore, the places that you’re connecting wires are in easy to reach locations. Newer vehicles, including Bronco, make it difficult to tie into the wiring harness but this feature allows DIY builders to customize their Broncos without warning lights and error codes flashing at them for their efforts.
Where are the auxiliary switches?
Auxiliary switches are standard on Wildtrak, First Edition, Badlands, and Black Diamond Broncos and an option on Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks. If your Bronco is equipped with them, they’ll be located above the rear-view mirror.
How do I use the aux switches in my Bronco?
Well, once they’re wired up, you just flip the switch in order to power the accessory that you’ve assigned to that switch. When engaged, the switches will illuminate. The power will be coming from the battery so it’s best to have the engine running when using accessories so that you don’t come back to a dead battery.
How do I wire up the aux switches to an accessory?
Step 1: Get Your Tools
While some Bronco customizations are easy even for novices, wiring up the Aux switches is a step or two above those in difficulty. You’ll need a few things.
Tools you’ll need:

Crimper
Heat Gun
Wire shrink wire connectors
Drill and appropriate drill bit. (if using the windshield circuit)

Step 2: Identify the aux switch you want to use.
Now you need to identify which switch you want to use. Check your accessory’s documentation to ensure that you’re connecting it to a switch that is appropriate for the accessory’s needs. Refer to the chart below more information. Pay attention to the amp draw for the switch that you’re selecting. Those ratings are your power budget and if you put an accessory that draws 5A on a switch that is rated for 25A then you’ve just wasted 20A. For example, this Rigid Pod light draws 2A and is a good fit for switches AUX 4-6 but you’d be wasting your budget if you put it on AUX 1-3.

Step 3: Identify the circuit that runs to where you’re installing your accessory.

There are five circuits that run to key places on the Bronco that are likely to have accessories mounted. These are where you can easily mount accessories often with Bronco bolts available for mounting. Identify the circuit that is running to the install desired location on your Bronco.
Here are the locations:

1X to the front grille
2X to the passenger compartment behind the glove box
1X to the passenger windshield above the passenger visor
1X to the passenger rear quarter panel

Step 4: Get the power to where you need it.
At a basic level, wiring is about moving power to where you need it. You’re connecting a stream of electricity to your accessory. You’ll need to identify the right wires that will create that stream. Our video guide will show an example of how this works.
Once you have those wires connected, you can then wire up your accessory and power will flow to where you need it when the appropriate aux switch is engaged. Turn on your Bronco and flip the switch. Check to make sure that your accessory is working as intended.
What are you going to connect to your auxiliary switches? Let us know in our forum poll.

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Reaction Score

Mar 09, 2021

#100

I know next to nothing about wiring in vehicles. This thread has been very informative.

Raptor w/ lux package, orange belts. Code Orange.
BN #306

Calbaugh, swooshdave

Mar 09, 2021

#101

Deepshag
Simple guys - grommet, silicone and then duct tape - geeeeezzzzzz!

Duct tape is a fix all for everything!

2021 Badlands, 4 door, 2.7L, Auto, LUX, SAS, Tow Package, MIC, Velocity Blue.

Khayze427, BroncoTerry

Mar 09, 2021

#102

ResidualGenius
It was on the black and gold build. Thought those were AM. If not I’d bet they will be on the market soon

Those are the roadster "doors" and Ford seems to be leaving those up to the AM. The donut doors he's referring to were on the reveal Cyber Orange prototype. Those didn't pass crash tasting so they aren't happening.

Mar 09, 2021

#103

SlashRacer
Duct tape is a fix all for everything!

1. Duct tape fixes everything
2. Every tool is a hammer

Rpzemo171, BroncoTerry

Mar 10, 2021

#104

Buckin'
1. Duct tape fixes everything
2. Every tool is a hammer

my high school tool kit- Duct tape for things that were moving, but shouldn't be, WD-40 for stuff that wasn't moving but should.

2023 Wildtrak. "Sometimes you got to get lost, to get found" -J Bronco

Rpzemo171, ATC Enthusiast

Mar 10, 2021

#105

IMO -
The biggest issue is where the wire leaves from under the cover.
And I don’t think we can resolve that until we see if there is an escape route already put into the finish bracket for the roof rail system.
Is it foam gasket.?
Plastic to metal?
Etc ...
This is all helpful thoughts and ideas for everyone.
“No you can’t teach an old dog a (new) trick”
But you can always show another variable of how to do it.
And I’m an Old Dog !

2022 -2door Black Diamond
Mid Package
2.7. Velocity Blue.

FrankenRodz, Rhiostatic

Sep 15, 2022

#106

David
I literally wrote that in the article and then thought better of it and tried to be more helpful. :ROFLMAO:

Wondering if you guys might be aware of a way to add a spring of some kind to the back of an AUX switch so that it does not click into "on." The purpose is that I'd like to add a custom horn under he hood and would like to just tap the switch, make the horn sound, and have the switch click back so it does not require a manual "click back." Hope that makes sense and appreciate any knowledge you might have on it.

Sep 15, 2022

#107

stevewymer
Wondering if you guys might be aware of a way to add a spring of some kind to the back of an AUX switch so that it does not click into "on." The purpose is that I'd like to add a custom horn under he hood and would like to just tap the switch, make the horn sound, and have the switch click back so it does not require a manual "click back." Hope that makes sense and appreciate any knowledge you might have on it.

Get a spring loaded push button

Sep 16, 2022

#108

stevewymer
Wondering if you guys might be aware of a way to add a spring of some kind to the back of an AUX switch so that it does not click into "on." The purpose is that I'd like to add a custom horn under he hood and would like to just tap the switch, make the horn sound, and have the switch click back so it does not require a manual "click back." Hope that makes sense and appreciate any knowledge you might have on it.

The aux switches are set up as SPST and you need momentary.

- 2023 Raptor / Shadow Black / MGV (DOB 8/30/23)
- 2023 Heritage Limited Edition / Robin’s Egg Blue / 4dr / (stolen from my dealer 11/15/23)

Sep 18, 2022

#109

Any one an electrician?

Voltage drop calculations?

Amperes of 18 ,-16AWG (1.5-.75mm2)

Well the rules are simple: load in amps < wire rating in amps (say 11A)
See chart below

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Oct 21, 2022

#110

alright ... this thread about the aux switches seems pretty active... I just took delivery of my bronco last week, and the whole way the switches are wired up is confusing to me, but I think I'm getting it. The thing that has me baffled, is why they chose to terminate some of the circuits where they did. Only one circuit terminates at the front of the vehicle - do they think Bronco owners are only going to install ONE set of lights or a winch up front? and two circuits that terminate behind the glovebox? for what? a blender? and no circuits that terminate near the mirror for ditch lights?

Am I missing something? I want to wire up a set of foglights in the pockets of the front bumper, but I also want to be able to wire up the ARB twin compressor under the hood.. do I need to select which one is more important?

Reservation: 7/20/20 | MY '21 order: 2/1/21 | MY '22 order: 10/22/21 | Blend 8/5, built 8/8, 'built' status 8/27, in my driveway 10/12/22
Auto Photographer in Sacramento CA:
www.instagram.com/photographybymarkbrooks

Oct 21, 2022

#111

Calgecko
alright ... this thread about the aux switches seems pretty active... I just took delivery of my bronco last week, and the whole way the switches are wired up is confusing to me, but I think I'm getting it. The thing that has me baffled, is why they chose to terminate some of the circuits where they did. Only one circuit terminates at the front of the vehicle - do they think Bronco owners are only going to install ONE set of lights or a winch up front? and two circuits that terminate behind the glovebox? for what? a blender? and no circuits that terminate near the mirror for ditch lights?

Am I missing something? I want to wire up a set of foglights in the pockets of the front bumper, but I also want to be able to wire up the ARB twin compressor under the hood.. do I need to select which one is more important?

You don’t need to use any of the pre-run wires or you can use all or some the pre-run wires. They exist to make it easier to get from one location to another. Some are powered and an be connected directly to the load and others that are not hot need to be connected to the Aux wire under the hood in order to energize the circuit.

I didn’t use the purple, pre-run powered wire in the grille when I installed fog lights, I simply wired the hot lead to the corresponding Aux #1 wire under the hood

For my windshield mounted light bar, I chose to run the wire through the windshield header and connected the hot lead to one of the 2 pre-run wires behind the glove box and then cross-connected that to the corresponding Aux #2 wire under the hood.

For my rear high mounted light, I ran the wire through the tailgate to the rear passenger cargo area to the pre-run wire and then connected that to the other pre-run wire behind the glove box and then cross connected that to the corresponding Aux #6 wire under the hood.

If you have specific questions feel free to PM me or post here - happy to help sort it out with you.

- 2023 Raptor / Shadow Black / MGV (DOB 8/30/23)
- 2023 Heritage Limited Edition / Robin’s Egg Blue / 4dr / (stolen from my dealer 11/15/23)

Deano Bronc, 14U

Oct 22, 2022

#112

thanks.. now I think I'm even more confused! maybe I'm not understanding how all their pre-run wiring is done.. sounds like it would have been easier to skip the aux switch panel and stick with an aftermarket one!

Oct 22, 2022

#113

Calgecko
thanks.. now I think I'm even more confused! maybe I'm not understanding how all their pre-run wiring is done.. sounds like it would have been easier to skip the aux switch panel and stick with an aftermarket one!

NO! The Aux switches are amazing and make powering and using accessories a snap.

Perhaps this graphic will help…

Install your fog lights lights in the bumper and run the power & ground wires up the drivers side inner fender. Connect the + wire (likely red) to the Aux wire (located on the firewall) from the chart above to supply power to the lights. For example if you wanted to use Aux 2, connect the + wire to the Green/Brown wire. Then connect the ground wire to either a ground screw on the vehicle or the negative terminal on the battery. Once the ignition is on, Aux 2 will power your newly installed fog lights.

I hope this all helps - good luck!

- 2023 Raptor / Shadow Black / MGV (DOB 8/30/23)
- 2023 Heritage Limited Edition / Robin’s Egg Blue / 4dr / (stolen from my dealer 11/15/23)

Calbaugh, Deano Bronc

Oct 23, 2022

#114

Calgecko
alright ... this thread about the aux switches seems pretty active... I just took delivery of my bronco last week, and the whole way the switches are wired up is confusing to me, but I think I'm getting it. The thing that has me baffled, is why they chose to terminate some of the circuits where they did. Only one circuit terminates at the front of the vehicle - do they think Bronco owners are only going to install ONE set of lights or a winch up front? and two circuits that terminate behind the glovebox? for what? a blender? and no circuits that terminate near the mirror for ditch lights?

Am I missing something? I want to wire up a set of foglights in the pockets of the front bumper, but I also want to be able to wire up the ARB twin compressor under the hood.. do I need to select which one is more important?

Once you start installing it will all make sense. My rear lights connect via behind the glove box with the white and orange wire. GPS and radio share the other 10amp wire, it did help with running wires.

Deano Bronc

Oct 31, 2022

#115

Ok ... I think I just had a minor breakthrough... so the bundle of terminated/insulated wires on the drivers side engine compartment near the cowl - those are from the switches - are we saying that we do not HAVE to connect those to the other bundle of wires for pre-run circuits? for example, if I want to use the wire that terminates in that corner to wire directly to ditch lights, I can?

Southern62, Bschurr

Oct 31, 2022

#116

separate question - how/why would anyone use a 'non powered' circuit? all devices require power so what's the point?

Oct 31, 2022

#117

Calgecko
Ok ... I think I just had a minor breakthrough... so the bundle of terminated/insulated wires on the drivers side engine compartment near the cowl - those are from the switches - are we saying that we do not HAVE to connect those to the other bundle of wires for pre-run circuits? for example, if I want to use the wire that terminates in that corner to wire directly to ditch lights, I can?

Yes. Attach the positive to the wire that is connected to the switch you want to use and the ground to either a body ground or back to the battery. There is even a common ground right there on the driver side of the firewall you can use.

22 Black Diamond 2dr non sas w tow and roof rails.

Southern62, Calgecko

Oct 31, 2022

#118

Electricity whether DC (12v) or AC (120v) can cause a fire. It is in violation of National Electric Codes to just tape the end of a power circuit ( when switch in on position) like switch #1 30 Amps.(Thats twice the ampacity of your home lighting circuit breaker)

Amps is what kills people. Electric chair!

The thickest wire conducts the most amps, like battery cable to startersay 6 or 8 AWG.

Ford used four 20 AWG (#3-6) AND 16 AWG ON 30 and 15 Amp fuses. Ok for very short length, but not rated for say 15-20 feet long. So where do you measure from. Well code is from source the positive (+ red ) battery terminal to the ground ( black) [ Electricians use term "home run" to form a CIRCUIT. That bunch of 6 wires have power (when switch on) but the four other wires near by and in glove are NON CIRCUIT ( no power, no home runs) .

Ford states that the installer (you) are responsible once you connect the two or three wires to an electrical device, like light bars, puddle spots, mini refrighs and say inverters.

If you dont calculate the proper load ( amps / power) and the wire is too thin, like 20 AWG (Speaker wire) or 16 AWG ( table lamp or cheap electrical extension wires) the wire will get warm or even melt the vynel covering. So watch your load

Oct 31, 2022

#119

Calgecko
Ok ... I think I just had a minor breakthrough... so the bundle of terminated/insulated wires on the drivers side engine compartment near the cowl - those are from the switches - are we saying that we do not HAVE to connect those to the other bundle of wires for pre-run circuits? for example, if I want to use the wire that terminates in that corner to wire directly to ditch lights, I can?

^ 100% - that’s exactly why they are for!

Calgecko
separate question - how/why would anyone use a 'non powered' circuit? all devices require power so what's the point?

The non powered circuits are just shortcuts to get from point A to point B - in order for them to work via an Aux switch, they need to be connected to one of the 6 wires under the cowl that you note above.

YOU GOT THIS NOW!

- 2023 Raptor / Shadow Black / MGV (DOB 8/30/23)
- 2023 Heritage Limited Edition / Robin’s Egg Blue / 4dr / (stolen from my dealer 11/15/23)

Calgecko

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