Map/Dome Light Help

Hey guys, found this on TN

"I did some testing on the map lights and noticed that they each have a dual position, Single Throw switch. This means that when the map light is switched on, it is disconnected from the dome light circuit. There is no requirement for a diode, transistor, or anything other than a piece of wire and a #6 screw and nut.

I ran a wire from the silver side of the dome light (gets ground whenever dome light is ON) to the empty spot on the map light connector. I did swap the two wires so that pos is in the middle and ground is on the right. Switched ground from the map light is on the left.

Total cost: about .50 of wire and hardware I already had lying around. No soldering required."

This method is a little more appealing to me since I don't have any experience soldering, nor do I even have a kit to do so. Anybody see any problems I may encounter using this method? Just put new LED's into the lights, and the Dome Light itself isn't exactly as bright as I had hoped. But with all 3 it will be more than sufficient.


As always, thanks for your help!

EDIT: This is in a 2007 PreRunner Access Cab, if that means anything

 

Any photos?

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Herculean
So if I understand all of this properly, it seems like the best/easiest/pro way to do this mod would be:

1. Swap the two existing wire positions on the map light connector.
2. Get another metal insert for the dome light connector and crimp it on a wire to run to the dome light. Insert into unused maplight position and reinstall connector.
3. Crimp a circular connector on the other end of the wire and attach it with a screw/nut (as PB did) to the silver side of the dome light.

The only real difference from futile's method is no soldering or bending of pins required. Any dissent?

That is correct Herculean, I opted not to buy the crimp connector for the map lights, I'm sure it is like $5 at dealer. I just used friction between the white plastic connector and the pin to place the wire between.
On the dome light, I made the hole slightly bigger and threaded a screw through it. Attached a nut at the top near the head to bring it flush so that I could attach a wire. I also crimped in a blue disconnect that I had lying around so that the dome light could be removed easily without tools.
Got a camera now, so I went down and took it apart to get some pics for you all:


backside of Map lights, with red wire feed from Dome light. Even though wire is red, it actually closes the ground side of the circuit.



Back of dome light, with screw, nut, wire, and disconnect. If you use disconnect, always have female end on side thats live when disconnected, to prevent shorts





Fuzzy Picture of screw thread coming through grommet in socket

Again, taken from TN. Looking to do this mod tomorrow morning, so any help "asap" would be GREAT! Thanks again, guys!

 

Selfishly bumping

Thanks!

 

Bump.

Thanks!

 

Bump. I'm looking to confirm if this should work or not. Thanks!