map light question: LE only? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

hairball · 11-02-2010, 12:03 PM

Every time I go to my local wrecking yards and browse through the Camry section, I find map lights in some cars. I check, and they seem to be only in V-6 LE models. Is this true? Did the map lights only come in LE's?

Okay, now for my second question (sorry... just trying to get my 2 cents in here! LOL!)...

Many of us know that many cars (all makes, not just Toyota) are built at the factory with extra connections and extra stuff not hooked up to anything. I know the biggest reason is in case a customer special orders a car with some options, that option can be quickly installed rather than build an entire car for them. In fact I can find at least 4 or 5 things on my 90 DX that are not hooked up to anything! Cars usually come down the production lines as a base model and options are added at some point, depending on the final model. Almost every car I've ever owned has had some type of extra plugs or stuff hidden somewhere that were meant just in case it became a different model series at the final production line or was ordered with a certain option.

So, after all this rambling, let me get to my question: Does anyone know if other Camry models like the base models may possibly have the wire and plug up under the front of the headliner for a map light??? I know, it sounds like a silly question for a 52 year old car buff to ask. But I want to add a factory Camry map light from an LE. And I don't want to have to cut or remove my headliner if the factory wire isn't already there. Has anyone ever removed their DX headliner in the front and discovered a mystery wiring harness and plug?

Just an off-the-wall question, I know. Makes me sound stupid. But I would love to install a map light! It's just a "cool factor", no special reason.

Anyone know?

***zythr*** · 11-02-2010, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hairball

Every time I go to my local wrecking yards and browse through the Camry section, I find map lights in some cars. I check, and they seem to be only in V-6 LE models. Is this true? Did the map lights only come in LE's?

Okay, now for my second question (sorry... just trying to get my 2 cents in here! LOL!)...

Many of us know that many cars (all makes, not just Toyota) are built at the factory with extra connections and extra stuff not hooked up to anything. I know the biggest reason is in case a customer special orders a car with some options, that option can be quickly installed rather than build an entire car for them. In fact I can find at least 4 or 5 things on my 90 DX that are not hooked up to anything! Cars usually come down the production lines as a base model and options are added at some point, depending on the final model. Almost every car I've ever owned has had some type of extra plugs or stuff hidden somewhere that were meant just in case it became a different model series at the final production line or was ordered with a certain option.

So, after all this rambling, let me get to my question: Does anyone know if other Camry models like the base models may possibly have the wire and plug up under the front of the headliner for a map light??? I know, it sounds like a silly question for a 52 year old car buff to ask. But I want to add a factory Camry map light from an LE. And I don't want to have to cut or remove my headliner if the factory wire isn't already there. Has anyone ever removed their DX headliner in the front and discovered a mystery wiring harness and plug?

Just an off-the-wall question, I know. Makes me sound stupid. But I would love to install a map light! It's just a "cool factor", no special reason.

Anyone know?

Map light was probably standard in the LE models and an option for the DX models, Not sure about other wires/connectors in the DX models, but who knows maybe there are some there. Better to get a service manual:} As for adding a map light, there are many aftermarket map lights that can connect to sun visors, dashboard, etc, that don't have to be wired up. In fact there are many on E-bay.

hairball · 11-02-2010, 12:44 PM

Thanks, zythr! I don't really "need" a map light. Just wanted to slowly turn my DX into an LE clone.

No, really, I just think the factory ones are cool. I had a 79 Granada with the boring simple dome light. But at a wrecking yard, I discovered that other models of the same car had "upgraded interiors" that included a dome light with map lights on each end. I grabbed one, and it was a direct bolt-in and plug-in!

Just hoping the same is true with the Camry. I was thinking if I have to, I could maybe just replace my factory (just-fixed) dome light with a map light IF it won't easily mount on the front between the visors.

What the heck... I already have a V-6 grill emblem (on my 2.0L car!) and the instrument cluster with tach from a V-6 LE, so might as well keep going! Believe it or not, I'm thinking about switching my rear drum brakes over to rear discs in the next few months! So yes... I'm a strange one.

Thanks for your input! I'll keep those suggestions in mind.

white90dx · 11-02-2010, 03:26 PM

The best way to find out of the wiring is there is to remove the headliner on a DX at the junkyard...

There are at least a few different wiring harness options. Auto vs. manual, V6 vs. I4, FWD vs. Alltrac, Wagon vs. sedan, etc. Some parts of the harness might be the same between trims/versions with no matching wires on the other side of a plug (seen it many times when I did the 3s-gte swap on my base FWD Camry).

But many things crossover or are the same. As an example, most of the plugs and wiring is in place to puts a clutch pedal in an auto car and have the clutch start system work (when doing an auto to manual swap).

The map lights just pop into the ceiling with metal clips, so it is very easy to remove - but it would be hard to put anywhere else in the car other than the factory location.

One of the best things I ever did on my Alltrac is add "HomeLink" buttons/remote to the ceiling just behind the map lights... Took it from the visor of an upscale car (I think it was a Jaguar? There are tons of options on eBay) and cut and fitted it to the headliner.

-Charlie

***zythr*** · 11-02-2010, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hairball

Thanks, zythr! I don't really "need" a map light. Just wanted to slowly turn my DX into an LE clone.

No, really, I just think the factory ones are cool. I had a 79 Granada with the boring simple dome light. But at a wrecking yard, I discovered that other models of the same car had "upgraded interiors" that included a dome light with map lights on each end. I grabbed one, and it was a direct bolt-in and plug-in!

Just hoping the same is true with the Camry. I was thinking if I have to, I could maybe just replace my factory (just-fixed) dome light with a map light IF it won't easily mount on the front between the visors.

What the heck... I already have a V-6 grill emblem (on my 2.0L car!) and the instrument cluster with tach from a V-6 LE, so might as well keep going! Believe it or not, I'm thinking about switching my rear drum brakes over to rear discs in the next few months! So yes... I'm a strange one.

Thanks for your input! I'll keep those suggestions in mind.

You're very welcome. Good luck in your conversion

typesix · 11-03-2010, 10:51 AM

4 Cyl LEs also had the map lights. Also, found elect. connectors not connected to anything in my former LE. Rear disc brakes were only found on V6 LEs.

hairball · 11-03-2010, 11:39 AM

Thanks much, TypeSix! I appreciate that info.

white90dx · 11-03-2010, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by typesix

4 Cyl LEs also had the map lights. Also, found elect. connectors not connected to anything in my former LE. Rear disc brakes were only found on V6 LEs.

Rear disk brakes are found on all V6 Camrys. Also, all Alltrac Camrys, but those are not compatible with FWD cars...

-Charlie

hairball · 11-03-2010, 08:35 PM

I'll remember that! I know of a V-6 LE that I got my instrument cluster out of that has rear discs. I think I'll snag them SOON just to have them in my garage for when I decide to do the conversion. If it's like most cars, I'll have to grab the proportioning valve while I'm at it. And like you mentioned earlier, the lines at the back. Otherwise I know it's an easy swap. I worked for years as a parts puller at a wrecking yard (before being "promoted" to counterman) so I've pulled a ton of these. Basically not many more than 4-6 bolts to remove rears from FWD cars. RWD are even easier!

typesix · 11-04-2010, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Rear disk brakes are found on all V6 Camrys. Also, all Alltrac Camrys, but those are not compatible with FWD cars...

Yes, I was thinking about ABS, which is only available on LEs with all disc brakes.

white90dx · 11-04-2010, 03:24 PM

A quick not about the rear disk brake swap... Make sure you get:

-Hubs with brakes (grabbing the whole knuckle is easier, but more expensive)
-Rubber brake lines (metal lines on the car are the same)
-e-brake cables to where the meet under the center of the car (requires removal of some exhaust heat shielding - each side can stay as one piece with the hub)
-prop valve (on the firewally, hard to replace unless the engine is out!)

Master cylinder is the same between the front disk and 4 wheel disk cars. ABS cars got a larger master cylinder. I'm not sure if it is a direct swap though...

-Charlie

hairball · 11-04-2010, 07:40 PM

already had all that figured out from previous drum-to-disc swaps. But never thought about the e-brake cable. I'll grab that. I know MOST people forget the main part: the proportioning valve. It's very crucial.

And hey, I checked again today and the entire rear disc setup is STILL THERE, including the rotors I better hurry and grab that stuff before it's gone!

.