Ignition pickup

Submitted: Monday, May 27, 2019 at 22:11
ThreadID: 138406 Views:15588 Replies:6 FollowUps:9
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Ive just purchased a new BT50, 2018.
I want to install accessories from my old car, 2way radio, duel battery system.
Where do I find a 12v ignition wire to energise relays ect.
In Search of the Perfect Wave and not the one from the missus, ( see u later)..lol

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Reply By: Frank P (NSW) - Monday, May 27, 2019 at 23:11

Monday, May 27, 2019 at 23:11
Mine is a 2014 BT50. I found the best way was to install a VSR (isolator) and drive everything bar the UHF off the cold side of that.

I power the UHF off one of the aux power outlets inside. In the 2014 BT the aux outlets are always live, even when the car is locked. Why they did that I will never fathom. My UHF has a sleep mode so if I leave it switched on there is stuff all battery drain after a certain period, but it is still a parasitic load if forgotten long term. Short term (overnight, a couple of days) there is no problem.

Hopefully the 2018 model will have switched aux outlets that are dead when the key is off or the car locked, in which case if you choose that option you will have no problems whatsoever.
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Follow Up By: 9900Eagle - Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 04:12

Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 04:12
Frank, An auto spark fixed the always powered up aux power outlets so they are only live with the ign on. Guess he must have installed relay.

I agree, I have no idea why the outlets were ever made to be on full time.
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Reply By: Ron N - Monday, May 27, 2019 at 23:15

Monday, May 27, 2019 at 23:15
Cougar, I can't find any Mazda BT-50 information, but Ford produce a very comprehensive and informative technical bulletin, called the "body equipment manual". Mazda do not appear to produce any similar bulletin.

The information in the Ford bulletin should apply to around 98% of the BT-50, as the vehicles are essentially identical, particularly in their basic electrical and body construction.

Ford advice is to pick up ignition power from the IG+ feed connection at the Body Control Module.
The BCM is positioned on the drivers side of the vehicle underneath the dash panel.

Page 51 of the Body Equipment Manual gives all the details.

Hit "CTRL" and "F" buttons simultaneously on your keyboard to bring up the PDF article search function, type in "Module" and keep clicking on the down arrow adjacent to where you typed in "Module", and you will rapidly come to the ignition feed advice.

Note that there are two levels of vehicles, rated according to their fitout/model. These are called "Low Level" for basic vehicles, and "High Level" for the top of the range models.
There are different BCM's according to whether the vehicle is "Low Level" or "High Level".
I would expect the same "Low Level" and "High Level" body architecture applies to the BT-50.

Ford Ranger BEM

Cheers, Ron.
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Follow Up By: Frank P (NSW) - Monday, May 27, 2019 at 23:26

Monday, May 27, 2019 at 23:26
"I would expect the same "Low Level" and "High Level" body architecture applies to the BT-50."

I wouldn't be too sure about that Ron. Ford didn't give Mazda a lot of the high level stuff, so what you have said should not be assumed. The vehicles are similar, but under the skin not the same.

Yes, the power train and running gear are VERY similar, if not identical, the Mazda being stamped with FoMoCo everywhere, but the body and fitout is different.

There is a Ranger programming guru on the net but what he can do with a Ranger cannot be done in a BT50, sad to say. The electronics are different.

Couldn't hurt to look for the IGN+ feed, though I think a VSR running off the crank battery is better/safer than jumpering off a wire in a connector to a computer module. Just my opinion..

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Follow Up By: Hoyks - Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 21:43

Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 21:43
Taking a feed from identified pin in the BCM works for switching a relay to power an additional fuse block.

You can also buy the correct pin and length of wire from Ford (Part # DU2Z-14474-DA) will set you back around $12 + freight...

Or Harness Master. (their part # TE1531) and they have a few other options that will also work by all accounts http://parts.harnessmaster.com

And someone that has done it before:
http://www.newranger.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=11003&p=130327&hilit=pin+wire+ford#p130327

*Yes, its for a Ranger, but they are similar enough. The loom is mostly the same, its the BCM that has different software.

A feed from the output side of the dual battery controller/VSR also works.
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Reply By: Kazza055 - Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 07:36

Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 07:36
A very easy way to pickup an ignition battery is to use a piggy back fuse - see below. Not certain about the BT50 as I have a D-Max but you will be able to use the fuse for Radio, ciggy socket etc.

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Follow Up By: MickeyJ - Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 08:40

Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 08:40
I used this on a ranger last week 2014 model and there were lots of empty fuses in the min under bonnet fuse holder that were not used but still connected to ign.
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Follow Up By: Kazza055 - Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 11:43

Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 11:43
Good point Mickey, you could plug it into a spare ignition position and only install the one fuse in that connects to the supply wire.
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Follow Up By: IvanTheTerrible - Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 18:52

Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 18:52
Be aware with these that you stick with cig lighter or radio and not anything to do with the ecu. Glitch the computer will at best put it in limp mode or at worst shut it down.
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Follow Up By: Frank P (NSW) - Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 19:41

Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 19:41
"Be aware with these that you stick with cig lighter or radio and not anything to do with the ecu. Glitch the computer will at best put it in limp mode or at worst shut it down."

Exactly, Ivan. That is why I prefer to keep my auxiliaries powered from the battery via an isolator. No risk to the electronics.
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Reply By: nickb - Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 21:22

Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 21:22
The current BT50 is very similar to the PX Ranger (2011-2104), the new Ranger and BT50 are very different vehicles RE: electrics, control modules etc.

In the Ranger, there are a few places to take a 12V trigger wire from using a piggy back fuse bit they are only ‘live’ when the ignition is in the ON position. There is only one spot recommended by Ford and is described in a post above.

The cigarette sockets stay ‘live’ long after the key is switched off (some models don’t turn off), I ended up triggering a relay from the 12V ACC position behind the key barrel - from memory it was a brown wire with green or yellow stripe. I could not find any other ACC switched 12V in any of the fuse boxes, under the bonnet, behind the stereo etc. The BCM controls everything, as Ivan said be careful where you take your trigger wire from.
AnswerID: 625829

Reply By: IvanTheTerrible - Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 21:38

Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 21:38
Not Mazda related but a great trick.
A great little trick for anyone with a recent Dmax or MUX. Isuzu has always had the heater fan relay triggered by the alternator so the fan doesn't run without the engine running. Great for triggering dual batteries only when the alternator is charging.
AnswerID: 625832

Follow Up By: Zippo - Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at 11:02

Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at 11:02
Crikey, made me remember that the '74 Kombi had the same deal with the heater fan, and I slaved a relay off that for the aux battery I fitted in our camper (BC days ...).
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Follow Up By: IvanTheTerrible - Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at 19:05

Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at 19:05
Isuzu have done it since the early days of the rodeo's. Great way to find out your alternator is shagged.
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Reply By: Cougar 55 - Thursday, May 30, 2019 at 17:22

Thursday, May 30, 2019 at 17:22
Thanks all problem sorted??
In Search of the Perfect Wave and not the one from the missus, ( see u later)..lol

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