Have a 2021 Camry LE.
Was pretty upset with the lack of lighting in the cabin.
Even more, I was just annoyed at Toyota for not connecting the Map lights to the middle Dome light so that when I open the door, the map lights come on with the dome light.
All of my other toyotas have done this, so real pissed that this one didn't.

So here is how I fixed this.

0) solder a 1n4001 diode to a 3 foot 22gauge wire. The banded side should be toward the wire. Other side of the diode will be used to plug into connector. Heat shrink diode and solder connection. Leave the cathode end ( not banded) exposed.

1) removed maplight assembly. Grab the forward section near the windshield and pull it down. Work your way toward the rear of the assembly and pull it down and forward toward the windshield.

2) disconnect the plug from the map light assembly.

3) remove cover from the dome light.
Use multimeter and find which side of the dome bulb is ~0v when the light is on. When the light is off, both sides are 12v.

4) there are 2 tabs on the Dome light assembly diagonal to each other. Press them towards the center and that should drop the Dome light Assy.
Caution: wire behind it has very little slack and doesnt disconnect from the Assy.

5) run the 20 Gauge wire from the Dome assy to the Map Assy under the insulation

6) on the Dome light Assy, strip the wire and wrap it around the tab that you determined to have 0V when the bulb was on.

7) reconnect the dome light assy.

8) 0n the Map light assy, connect the diode/wire into one of the missing pins . It is the 9th position . Look at the pictures.

9) use electrical tape and tape diode to the cable assy.

10) test the door. Map light should come on with the dome light. MAP lights should work individually when pressed.

11) reinstall map assy.

12) enjoy your custom / factory update.

Notes:
I disassembled the map light assy and traced the wires. On the LE, the PCB has the place for 2 missing buttons. When you look at the xse, it is the place for the door button.
Ugh, really? Come on toyota????
Pin 9, it is all relative/ depends how you count it/ look at pictures, is linked to the missing button.
The missing button provides the ground. The diode prevents the individual actuation of the map lights from turning on the dome light. When the dome light is turned on, your jumper provides a ground to the Map light Assy turning on the Map lights.


Sorry in advance if you have issues.
Not responsible if you run into issues.

Hey this works!! Thanks a million for your engineering this solution. I can appreciate the time it took to do this. I found one of the key points was using the diode leg as a pin in the connector. Tried another possibility, but did not work and ended up using the diode leg. Just in case you pop the dome light circuit breaker, it us under the driver side instrument panel, a 7.5 !! Thanks again (2021Camry LE)

 

Yeah, I was so pissed at Toyota for making this an Upgrade, that I decided to take the time to circumvent their BS.

 

I did this mod today, thanks for the write-up!

 

This is one of the things that really annoys me with my 2016. Every car I've ever had has the map lights come on with the dome light, except this one. My first Toyota and was disappointed by this especially with a black interior.

 

@madslick I appreciate the writeup. Can confirm this mod is fully functional.

‘23 SE - Dome Light Wired into the non-springy (square) terminal of the festoon.

Followed this video for the dome side wiring.

A few things for the OC:

• Map Light Side would benefit off of a wire terminal repinned into position 9.
• Dome Light Side can benefit off of a T-Tap once the wire loom has been unwrapped. In my case, the Red Cable of the 3 wires.

Thank you again.

 

@madslick I appreciate the writeup. Can confirm this mod is fully functional.

I would like to up the ante on this mod and add a small LED strip light under each mirror to illuminate the exterior when you approach the car. Have either of you seen that done?

I would add an interior switch to unlink the exterior lights to the interior and also allow them to be turned on at will by themselves.

 

I hate the map lights on my SE. It's like Toyota wanted to play a game of Where's Waldo with those tiny buttons. I miss my old accord lights, the whole light was a button that you just pressed.

 

I’ve created a video demonstration which can be viewed here, proceeding after the DIY.

 

Anybody know what the pins are for the upper console connector? I don't feel comfortable with stabbing the diode leg in there. Would like to install a proper pin.

 

Nice write up. I am wondering if you had access to any schematics and if you know the other end of the connector you added the diode to ends up under the dash?

 

No schematics...
Reverse engineered it by following the traces.
: )

 

Bookmarked for future mod.

 

If I Keep my dome light on during long night trips for my kids in the back seat, is it going to turn on my map light too according to this mod?
I'm another frustrated 2021 LE owner.

 

If I Keep my dome light on during long night trips for my kids in the back seat, is it going to turn on my map light too according to this mod?
I'm another frustrated 2021 LE owner.

if this is the mod using a diode then each light will operate manually fully independent of each other yet all come on with an open door or walk close with Smartkey.

 

Yes, since it's wired in parallel with the dome light bulb. I think the dome light has 2 grounds, one for the switch ON position and one for the door switch. You could connect to the door switch ground and the map lights would only turn on when the doors are opened and not when the switch is turned to ON.

 

Thanks.. I'll look deeply in that dome light anatomy before doing anything.

 

The wire from the diode is attached to the bulb terminal on the dome light, so if the dome light is on, the map lights should be on. If you hook to the door ground at the dome light, it should limit it to the doors only. I think.

 

Just tested mine and the dome switch turns everything on.

 

did you install the diode?

 

Yes.

 

Hey madslick, how did you get the wire from the dome to the maplights? (or vice versa)