12 volt light wiring question - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

xpeed · 03-07-2009, 01:41 PM

Hey, do any of you guys understand these instructions? I'm trying to figure out which wires I can splice to install some of these lights in my car. I want to put them on the door so when I open it, it'll light up.

Tobeit · 03-07-2009, 01:53 PM

what's so difficult - black to chassis ground, black/white to power (+12V)...

ebumdude · 03-07-2009, 01:54 PM

The easiest that I would do, is the two wires that are for the door light right on the bottom of the door.

Take a flat head or a scribe, and pop the light cover right out.

Mount your light wherever you desire.

One wire from the factory door light is +

One wire from the factory door light is -

Splice them right into that, and it will work.

Seal your connections you made securely, and wa-la.

xpeed · 03-07-2009, 02:02 PM

^ Thanks, it's only because of the DC12V and the ground that confused me. I'll go check it out.

ebumdude · 03-07-2009, 04:31 PM

No problem. Let us know how it turns out.

CamrySExxx · 03-07-2009, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebumdude

The easiest that I would do, is the two wires that are for the door light right on the bottom of the door.

Take a flat head or a scribe, and pop the light cover right out.

Mount your light wherever you desire.

One wire from the factory door light is +

One wire from the factory door light is -

Splice them right into that, and it will work.

Seal your connections you made securely, and wa-la.

Hit the nail right on the head

xpeed · 03-07-2009, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebumdude

The easiest that I would do, is the two wires that are for the door light right on the bottom of the door.

Take a flat head or a scribe, and pop the light cover right out.

Mount your light wherever you desire.

One wire from the factory door light is +

One wire from the factory door light is -

Splice them right into that, and it will work.

Seal your connections you made securely, and wa-la.

I just realized that the Gen 5 doesn't have the lights on the doors. I might have to pry open the door covers to get to the wires.

MrSo0h0o · 03-07-2009, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xpeed

I just realized that the Gen 5 doesn't have the lights on the doors. I might have to pry open the door covers to get to the wires.

What are you trying to do exactly? I have done pretty extensive work taking on and off the door panels so I can help with what you need.

ebumdude · 03-07-2009, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xpeed

I just realized that the Gen 5 doesn't have the lights on the doors. I might have to pry open the door covers to get to the wires.

I did not realize you had a GEN5. I do not know if there are pre-existing wires or not. Sorry for the no help.

Unless, you have done the CCFL footwell mod that many of us on here have done. Then you could just piggy back off the wiring from that.

xpeed · 03-08-2009, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrSo0h0o

What are you trying to do exactly? I have done pretty extensive work taking on and off the door panels so I can help with what you need.

I basically want to install these LED spot lights on my door so that I can have "puddle lights" when I open it. Are there any type of 12v wires in the doors that I can splice and install to? I might have to make a custom housing for the lights to fit cleanly which means I might have to drill some holes into the plastic covers on the door.

ebumdude: no I haven't done a footwell conversion so I probably can't do the wirings from that.

MrSo0h0o · 03-08-2009, 10:58 PM

You can probably tap off the window controls. This will provide power from acc to 15secs after key out of the ignition and no door is opened. The issue now is finding it lol.. Maybe check out the wiring diagrams to find out what color the +12v is

CamrySExxx · 03-08-2009, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrSo0h0o

You can probably tap off the window controls. This will provide power from acc to 15secs after key out of the ignition and no door is opened. The issue now is finding it lol.. Maybe check out the wiring diagrams to find out what color the +12v is

But once the door is opened it will shut off will it not? And that would mean it would be on all the time? Well when the key is in the ignition.

CamrySExxx · 03-08-2009, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xpeed

I basically want to install these LED spot lights on my door so that I can have "puddle lights" when I open it. Are there any type of 12v wires in the doors that I can splice and install to? I might have to make a custom housing for the lights to fit cleanly which means I might have to drill some holes into the plastic covers on the door.

ebumdude: no I haven't done a footwell conversion so I probably can't do the wirings from that.

Honestly though the best bet would wire it to your domelight.
That's what most people do with puddle lights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gvraxl1uipI

There is a example. Same concept, I did my footwells based off that concept since I didnt feel like doing all the extra work for the puddle lights under the side skirt.

MrSo0h0o · 03-08-2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamrySExxx

But once the door is opened it will shut off will it not? And that would mean it would be on all the time? Well when the key is in the ignition.

right right right... i just listed a 12v source... lets see.... the only possible way i can see you getting the same effect you stated (on when door opens, off when closed) is wire it to the dome light. That would require running it from the door, through the door jamb, up the A or B pillar, and across to the middle of the roof..

xpeed · 03-09-2009, 04:43 AM

Hmmm, I might have to buy some more wires then cause the wires for these are too short. I'll open up the door and see which wires I can use to have the desired effect I need.