How To: Add Door & Switch controlled Interior lights

[xronx]

Disclaimer
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A 355nation How To presented by
xronx

Project Name
Door & Switch controlled Interior Lights

Project Description
Allows you to install lighting in the truck that will turn on with the opening of a door or flip of a switch with the doors closed, will not back-feed ground to the dome light

Skill Level
Easy

Project Vehicle
Make: Chevrolet
Model: Colorado
Year: 2005
Engine: 3.5L
Power windows: Yes
Sun Roof: No

Tools Needed
Tools will vary for custom modification.
3/8th ratchet
8''-12'' extension
10mm socket
Stubby Phillips screw driver
Wire Strippers
Something to crimp if not on strippers
Patience


Project Time
30 Minutes well planned

Project Cost
Nothing if you have things laying around
otherwise about 20 bucks
you need wire, color doesn't matter
Lights of your choice
5 Prong Bosch style relay
T-style, Female and Male connectors will make life easy
a switch


Body, text and pics
Relay pins
30- Ground wires from lights
85- Power
86- To switch (grounded switch)
87a- Ground to BCM/PCM control
87- Ground

First things first I began with the removal of the interior Lower dash, this is not necessary but will aid in the tight fit, you may also want to remove the seat(s) if you are larger.

There is one screw located against the drivers door in the panel, phillips head.

Next pull the E-Brake release handle out, and press in the tabs located on the shaft.

Now you will be able to turn the shaft and later remove it from the plastic.

Next, underneath your Hood Latch Release is two screws, remove them and the whole bracket will drop right off.

Simple grab the underside of the dash, and pull... be sure to detach the E-BRAKE shaft at this time.

Now remove the Bracket, it is held in place by six 10mm bolts, two against either side on the lower bracket, and one up top on either side of the steering column.




Now lift the bottom of the bracket upwards !!!!!!!!!!!!!!BEFORE REMOVAL OF BRACKET!!!!!!!!!!! located on the rear of the OBD2 port is a tab, push it in and remove the OBD2 port. Now you may remove the bracket.

This is where i chose to mount my first light, i used a stick on strip of blue L.E.D.'s cut to length. The second i stuck just behind the lip of the glove box on the passengers side, location and method of mounting is not important, nor is the style or type of light.

Now we will begin wiring the Relay. First run power from any location that will be Hot at least while the key is on. I suggest using my location.

Next to the plastic molding for the center console is the factory floor light bracket, push the two tabs in and remove it.

The orange wire is Power and White is the PCM/BCM controlled ground we will utilize later (which is why i recommend this power location.)

Run a wire from the Power of your choice to the Relay Pin 85 (coil)

You must also run the power wires from your lights to a power source. I tapped them into this power wire.(if you chose a power wire that is not hot all the time, the lights will only function if the key is on)

Now we will run the PCM/BCM controlled ground which will turn the lights on while the door is open. Connect the White wire to the 87a Pin on the Relay.

Next i chose to run the wiring for my switch which i had located in the Transfer Case Selector Module, the location of your switch is completely up to you, and location of the ground from the switch as well.Connect the switch wire to the Pin number 86(coil) on the Relay.

Now run a wire from a ground, i chose the switch wire, to Pin 87 on the relay.

Your final wire to run is from the ground side of your switches. Connect them to each other and connect the joined wires to the Relay Pin 30.


Now your relay should be completely wired up and you are ready to rock.

Put the dash back together, hide your wiring, secure your relay.

Here is the finished product.

Door open, switch open (off)


Door closed, switch closed (on)

[SpindlyJim]

Good write up - I like how it works just like the stock interior lights.

[rshadd]

My '09 didn't come with any factory footwell lights. So when I added my SuperMod footwell/glovebox LEDS, I wired into the factory dome light. That way my footwells light operate just like the dome light. (i.e. stays on for a short time after you exit). I made sure to run two wires to feed the footwells, one for orange (power) and one for white (switch neg from bcm).

[xronx]

i find that odd it didnt have any lights, but i guess u can modify if you wanted to add a colored led against a white one for visibility, thats why i did this mod. sometimes you need to see what your doing normal..not blue, red, green ect

[captainrab]

Or just splice into the same lines that the existing floor wells have...If ya want to run them at night add a switch to the dome to cut it off and use the factory wheel to turn the floor wells on ..Much lesss time and labor intensive.

[xronx]

but then you will backfeed to the dome and or foot wells... either way i feel this is an easier method to just add, and leave the stock lights...well..stock.... dome over ride will still function, and if u want the interior lights on..wheel it up homie...some may wish to use your method as well..but all n all this is simply wiring a light to a relay lol

[captainrab]

Originally Posted by xronx

but then you will backfeed to the dome and or foot wells... either way i feel this is an easier method to just add, and leave the stock lights...well..stock.... dome over ride will still function, and if u want the interior lights on..wheel it up homie...some may wish to use your method as well..but all n all this is simply wiring a light to a relay lol

Yeah either way will work...I have wired 4 to the floor wells with none of this feed back issue you speak of and they work great. See Super mods leds strips, he has done way more than 4 for sure with no issues...Thats what gave me the idea of adding a switch to the dome if ya want them on while running down the road. Just another option for those that want a clean install and not have to add relays etc. Takes maybe 10 minutes but yeah either will work. Good how to

[westky2010colorado]

could anyone tell me how to wire up to come on with dash lights? I bought 2 LED strips at Autozone I wish to use as footwell lights . I dont have a footwell light on my new Colorado I was thinking if they come on with the dash lights would be good? Thanks

[captainrab]

Go to this tutorial. Substitute the power feed wire to the coil of the relay (pin 86)with a hot from the feed to either hvac lights or cluster lights. The switch in series with the coil is optional but there in case you want to turn them off in the cab. If your going to add the switch I would wire it just as it's drawn and flip them on or off when you want to. The ignition source feed to the coil makes sure they go out when you remove the key so you don't eventually drain the battery if you forget to turn them off.

Relay 101 basic's for Auxiliary loads

Go to this thread, scroll down to see where I mounted a non oem switch for the fogs, makes a great place for any accessory
Fog light wiring harness

[westky2010colorado]

i will take a look, thanks alot!

[LowRadoNLa]

nice write up......but ill stick the captain and supermods methods......

[captainrab]

Thanks for the vote of confidence. We have been to hell and back moding electrical goodies for sure. Your drl's was definately the most unique.