Quick Facts:
- Topic: Bronco aux switches, the six factory controls labeled AUX 1 through AUX 6.
- Standard Bronco fuses: AUX 1 at 30A, AUX 2 at 15A, and AUX 3 through AUX 6 at 10A each.
- Bronco Raptor fuses: AUX 1 at 10A, AUX 2 at 15A, AUX 3 at 30A, and AUX 4 through AUX 6 at 10A each.
- Wire size (standard Bronco): 1.5 mm² on the 30A and 15A circuits, 0.75 mm² on the four 10A circuits.
- Power rule: The switches operate with the ignition on, or with the ignition off while Delay Accessory is active.
- Owner favorites in the Bronco6G thread: Lights first, then air compressors, then a winch relay.
- Availability: Ford’s 2023 manual lists Bronco auxiliary switches as “If Equipped,” so confirm your trim.
- Sources: Ford 2023 Bronco owner’s manual and owner threads on Bronco6G, Bronco Nation, and BroncoRaptor.com.
 6 min read
In This Article
Bronco Aux Switches: Six Circuits for Add-On Gear
Bronco aux switches give owners six factory controls for add-on gear, and each has its own fuse limit. A recent Bronco6G thread asked owners what they connect to them. In the thread, all seven owners who described a setup run lights. Three also run an ARB air compressor, and one triggers a winch relay.
Having owned five Jeeps, I understand the pull of add-on lights. Ford built in six powered circuits from the under-hood fuse box, and I think the design is smart. However, the amp limits differ by switch, and the Raptor changes the layout. This guide pairs Ford’s own fuse ratings with what owners report wiring.
Wiring an accessory to a fused aux switch circuit takes three small parts. First, the Nilight 5-pin 40A relay and socket set lets the switch trigger the load. Then the Nilight fuse tap adapter kit adds a protected feed. TICONN heat shrink butt connectors also seal each splice.
Wiring supplies for an aux switch circuit
Nilight 50003R Automotive Set 5-Pin 30/40A 12V SPDT with Interlocki…
Nilight 10 Pack 12V Fuse Tap Adapters Standard/Profile/Mini Fuses 3…
What Ford’s Manual Says About Bronco Upfitter Switches
Ford’s 2023 Bronco owner’s manual lists the fuse and wire size for every switch. Owners call the same controls Bronco upfitter switches, and the terms are interchangeable. Specifically, AUX 1 carries a 30A fuse and AUX 2 a 15A fuse. AUX 3 through AUX 6 each get 10A.
| Switch | Standard fuse and wire | Raptor fuse and wire |
|---|---|---|
| AUX 1 | 30A, 1.5 mm² | 10A, 0.75 mm² |
| AUX 2 | 15A, 1.5 mm² | 15A, 1.5 mm² |
| AUX 3 | 10A, 0.75 mm² | 30A, 1.5 mm² |
| AUX 4 to AUX 6 | 10A, 0.75 mm² | 10A, 0.75 mm² |
At 12 volts, those fuses equal about 360, 180, and 120 watts, before any safety margin. The Raptor swaps the layout, so its 30A circuit sits on AUX 3. Its AUX 1 drops to 10A and is set aside for off-road driving lights, if equipped.
Ford also sets a power rule for Bronco auxiliary switches. They operate with the ignition on, or with the ignition off while Delay Accessory is active. Ford recommends leaving the engine running to maintain battery charge during extended use or with higher draw accessories. Five more circuits sit unpowered and unconnected, two in the passenger compartment and one each at the grille, right-hand visor, and right rear quarter panel.
This table comes from the 2023 manual. The standard column matches the 2021, 2022, and 2024 manuals. Since Ford publishes a manual for each model year, check yours before you buy parts.
What Owners Wire to Their Bronco Aux Switches
Once you know your fuse limits, the next question is what owners connect. Lights lead the list. In the thread, owners wire ditch lights, fogs, front pods, and rear chase lights to individual switches. One Wildtrak owner runs a light bar on AUX 1, ditch lights on AUX 2, and bumper lights and fog lights on AUX 3 and AUX 4, a layout for a standard Bronco. Several owners connect small LED loads straight to a switch with no relay and report no trouble.
For placement, read our guide to off-road lighting zones and wiring. Our piece on ditch lights and trail dust covers mounting height and beam shape. I would start with lights, because they deliver the most benefit for the least wiring.
An onboard air compressor ranks second. Three of the seven owners run an ARB compressor from a switch. One likes to start it from the cab while watching tire pressure.
Winches appear less often in the thread, and the advice stays consistent across threads. The usual setup pairs the switch with a heavy-duty relay, then runs the winch from its own battery cable. Our breakdown of factory versus aftermarket winch options covers the buying side.
Bronco Aux Switch Wiring: Where the Amp Limits Bite
Every accessory above pulls current, so add up the draw of everything on a switch before you connect it. Owners suggest keeping a steady load well under the fuse rating. One holds to about 80 percent, and another aims for half to two thirds. For example, a 100-watt light bar draws about 8.3 amps at 12 volts. This sits above 80 percent of a 10A fuse, so the bar belongs behind a relay.
Never swap in a bigger fuse. The wire is sized to the original rating, and owners in two threads warn against upsizing. Raptor owners face one more trap. Their 30A circuit sits on AUX 3, and AUX 1 is only 10A. One Raptor owner reports blowing fuses because of the swapped layout.
Safety note: Disconnect the negative battery cable before you splice into any circuit, and fuse every new power feed close to the battery.
Good Bronco aux switch wiring treats each switch as a control signal for anything larger than a small LED set. Feed the accessory from the battery through a relay and its own fuse. Many owners describe this pattern, and I would follow it.
Small pods keep a pair under 96 watts on a 10A switch. For example, the Nilight 18W spot pods and Nilight 18W flood pods list 18 watts each. The AKD Part 3-inch pods also list 40 watts per pair. Compare the draw with your own circuit, because Amazon does not list Bronco fitment.
Low-draw LED pods for a 10A switch
Nilight Led Pods 2Pcs 18W 1260LM Spot Off Road Lights Super Bright …
Nilight Led Pods 2Pcs 18W 1260LM Flood Off Road Lights Super Bright…
AKD Part LED Pods 3 Inch 40W Spot CREE LED Off Road Driving Lights
What This Means for You
Match the load to the circuit. Small LED loads such as ditch lights fit the 10A switches, according to several owners. Keeping the total under about 96 watts matches one owner’s 80 percent rule. Similarly, the same rule gives about 144 watts on the 15A circuit and 288 watts on the 30A circuit. A light bar near 100 watts suits AUX 2 on either layout. Anything larger goes behind a relay.
Your 30A circuit is AUX 1, or AUX 3 on a Raptor. Use it for your heaviest direct-wired accessory, after you check its rated draw against the fuse. A winch is different. It takes power from its own battery cable, and the switch only triggers its relay. Size the relay, wire, and fuse to the accessory, not to the switch.
Check your own truck first. Ford’s 2023 manual heads the section “If Equipped,” so not every Bronco leaves the factory with these switches. Confirm yours by finding the six labeled switches in the overhead console before you order parts. Raptor owners should follow the Raptor column in the table above.
Final Thoughts
The Bronco’s six switches suit owners who plan to add lights, a compressor, or a winch. Ford handled the hard part by running powered circuits from the under-hood fuse box. Several owners report no trouble with small LED loads, and Bronco aux switches reward a plan made before the first splice.
Some trade-offs deserve attention, though. Specifically, the 10A circuits use thin wire, the switches need the ignition on or Delay Accessory active, and the Raptor swaps the layout. Because of this, read your own manual before you connect anything.
I have rented Badlands Broncos from Budget for Big Bear camping trips. After five Jeeps of my own, I lean toward simple, well-fused wiring a weekend owner finishes without help. Start with lights on the 10A switches, add a relay for anything heavy, and keep the manual open while you work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do Bronco auxiliary switches do?
Each switch sends fused power to a device you wire to it. Ford says the indicator light on the switch glows when the circuit is on. The switches are labeled AUX 1 through AUX 6.
What is the amp rating of each Bronco aux switch?
On a standard Bronco, AUX 1 is 30A, AUX 2 is 15A, and AUX 3 through AUX 6 are 10A each. Raptor trucks differ, since AUX 3 carries the 30A fuse, AUX 2 stays at 15A, and the other four are 10A.
Do Bronco aux switches need a relay for ditch lights?
Not always. Several owners wire small LED ditch lights straight to a switch and report no trouble. However, a load near the fuse rating belongs behind a relay, because the switch wire is thin.
Do Bronco aux switches work with the ignition off?
Only when Delay Accessory is active. Ford says the switches operate with the ignition on, or with the ignition off while Delay Accessory is active.