Tapping into dash dimmer knob for headlight buzzer

[steventhomas42]

Greetings,

I found this forum while searching out details on why my wife's 1990 Camry didn't beep or anything when the headlights were left on after the ignition was shut off. I found this answer, as well as the solution today(91 Camry Headlights On Bell).

As of this point, I have manufactured the device listed in the thread above and am ready to install a headlight chime in the car, but I have a question.

The device is supposed to tie into the headlamp lead and an auxiliary lead (something that loses power when the ignition is off). The headlamps are fused in the engine compartment, not in the driver's compartment, and I really don't want to run a wire all the way out there.

I came up with the idea of tying the headlamp-power-sensing lead into the hot wire for the dash panel dimmer switch, because the dash lights are only on when the headlights are. I would then tie the auxiliary-power-sensing lead into the hot wire for the radio.

Does anyone have a wiring diagram for the dash area so I can figure out which wire is feeding the dash dimmer potentiometer and which is feeding the stereo? Otherwise, I'm going to have to do a lot of wire chasing, and I know from past experience that it's no fun pulling the dash in Japanese import from that era.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Steve

[atobe]

i'm sure you can tap both at the radio harness.. since the radio does have the dimmer wire it in also.. usually the green wire and tap into the ACC wire of the radio that turns on/off with the car.. it's usually grey.. but of course get out a pen tester to double check... not too hard to get to the radio.. only 2 screws above the climate controls and the rest is snap ins.. and 4 screws for the radio itself... hope this helps

[steventhomas42]

Originally Posted by atobe

i'm sure you can tap both at the radio harness.. since the radio does have the dimmer wire it in also.. usually the green wire and tap into the ACC wire of the radio that turns on/off with the car.. it's usually grey.. but of course get out a pen tester to double check...

You know, I hadn't thought about that. Our Camry has an aftermarket stereo in it and the headlights' state has no effect on its illumination, but I bet you're right that there is a headlight lead going to the original plug.

I'll have to pull the stereo and check that out.

Thanks!

[89 2wd]

The headlights on my 88LE would shut off once a door was opened...maybe there is a way to retrofit the DX to have this option.

[heat_z0ne]

Best way to install buzzer is between driver side door sensor & headlight relay switch or light control connector
I m also looking for solution
If someone knows let us know best way to connect buzzer without too much headache
( Pl give us detail like color code of wire & location of wire)
Thanks

[malayan]

The headlight on buzzer must be wired to the door switch as well as the lighting system. It is not necassary to wire it to the headlights as the park light will be illumintaed at the same time .
The door switches are linked to the interior light and provide an earth(-ground) when the door is opened,

Look on your fuse cover and locate the park lamp fuse. Using a connector take a lead from the fused side of the supply (remove the fuse while the lights are on and one side of the contacts will lose power)

You need to connect to that one. Run this to where you are going to secure or locate the buzzer. Connect this to one side of the buzzer.

Depending on what type you are using it may be critical to get the positive and negative connection correct. So place the supply from the fuse box to the positive side.

You could leave the fuse out while doing the job in case you leave the lights on and create a short circuit while working with the wires.

Trace the wire from the door switch and connect a second wire to this and run it to the other connection on the buzzer. Refit the fuse and test the circuit.

[The Camry Man]

This is the best way to hook Headlight Buzzer

except

I found it better to run our own wire from buzzer along the door trim to - (Neg) door switch... Then place the trim back over the top to hide it.

I had to do this to a few LE models too when the relay had failed.