Replacing rear view mirror with 4runner mirror and map lights

Hi. First time chiming in. Have looked at the forum for the last month and received good information on various topics. Have a question of my own. I have a '97 Tacoma 3.4, 4wd. I have owned it since 2000 and it has over 298,000 mi.

Just received a rear view mirror with map lights. I want to replace my mirror that has no lights. I pulled down the dome light and found two black wires leading to it. Can I splice into these wires and run them back to the mirror and expect it to work. Dome light has three switch locations (Off, On, and On when door is opened).

Thanks !

John B

 

The map light mirror grounds through the mounting bracket

one black wire would then run from the dome light which also grounds through the mounting bracket .to the map light mirror

 

About to do the same mode. So if I’m understanding correct, all I need to do is connect the hot wire from the map lights to the hot wire from the dome light and that’s a wrap?

 

It also depends just where your new light came from several different styles.

Depends (2000 Tacoma) if you want the new mirror lights to be able to energize when the doors open you need to also connect into the door switch circuit that when closed completes the circuit .

If you only want manual operation just one constant power wire.

 

FWIW, I found it easier to tap into the wires at the top of the drivers side A pillar. I could not get my electricians fish tape to go from the dome light to the rear view mirror without jacking up the headliner. There is a void just above the windshield that made running the wires from the mirror to the A pillar a breeze.

Edit AIR, I used this as a guide:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-door-actuated-map-light-install.645712/

 

Thanks. Mine is a two-button from a 1996 4Runner so it only came with one wire attached. Appreciate the help!!

 

So here is the diagram of my wires. I have a black/white and black wire coming from my dome light. On the diagram it shows a blue/yellow wire always hot to the dome. There is a blue yellow wire in the A-pillar but not at the dome light. Do I splice into the blue/yellow?

 

Check it with your meter. I see the Blue/yellow wire going to the lights in the doors with the harness for Power Windows /Door locks.

I only see the Black and Black/White wire at the dome light

 

After connecting to the black and white, and that not working, I spliced into the black and...

I HAVE POWER!!!

Also, the rumors about a vinyl headliner being challenging for this project are true.

 

Glad your project was a success !