adding puddle lights?

[GTexplorer]

does anybody know if i got some factory power mirrors with defrost and puddle light would be plug and play for my '00 xls with power mirrors? thanks

 

[vroomzoomboom]

i believe that puddle lamps have a 5 pin connector, and the regular power mirror just has 4

 

[IZwack]

I have a 98 which came with power mirrors but no puddle lights. Anyways a long time ago, for a reason we wont discuss here, I had the passenger's side mirror replaced (at the dealer) and the replacement did come with puddle lights (and yes they worked).

 

[Cobraguy]

That is very interesting IZ. Did they do any wiring mods to make them work? Or was the car wired for puddle lights? I remember those days when you only got one wiring harness from the factory. Then whatever options you ordered just plugged in. That way you could add the options later if you wanted. How nice would that be today!

 

[IZwack]

I dunno if they made any modifications but if you tell me how to remove the side mirror w/o damaging it, I'll check out the wiring and snap a pic.

 

[Cobraguy]

That's ok IZ, it's kind of a pain to remove. I have a couple of new mirrors with puddles sitting on the shelf waiting for the time when I need one. Then I'll install them. What you told me gives me hope there's something there to work with! If there isn't, it's not that big a job to wire them in.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

I dunno if they made any modifications but if you tell me how to remove the side mirror w/o damaging it, I'll check out the wiring and snap a pic.

pull the door panel off, there should be three 10mm nuts i believe on the backside of the mirror, unscrew them, and follow the harness down to the connector and unplug it. its real simple. unless your pulling our chain and saying that you don't know how to do that, i mean look at the truck you have!

 

[IZwack]

vroomzoomboom made me feel guilty so I went to the garage and pulled both mirrors to find out :.

As you can see, the connector w/o the puddle light only has 3 pins while the one with the puddle lights has 5 pins.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

uh, i meant to say there a *****! i think you even need cutting torches to get them off......ya thats it!

 

[GTexplorer]

so what do you guys think? from what ive read (correct me if im wrong) it should plug in, i am somewhat handy so if they dont, i could probally make it work. or i could go to the dealer? i dont think my wallet can handle that lol

 

[IZwack]

It should just plug in -- thats how it is with mine.

The white connectors are usually hanging beside the speakers so you'll have to temporarily remove those for installation.

 

[GTexplorer]

ok thanks for the info. and install is as stated earlier? remove door panel, 3 screws and unplug old mirrors?

 

[IZwack]

Yup yup!

 

[vroomzoomboom]

you will have to run two wires from you conector to one of the interior lights i believe. if you only have 3 pins in the mirror connector, more then likely you will only have 3 pins in the factory connector in the door. or at least that was the case for my 98 sport

 

[Cobraguy]

I have a sneaking suspicion that if the vehicle had puddle lights as an option, the wiring is there already. The mirrors will be plug and play. Do you see any signs IZ they added the extra wiring to the vehicle harness? Or did they just plug them in?

 

[IZwack]

No signs of any wire modification.

 

[gmanpaint]

I have a '95 X Can I install mirrors with puddle lights? After reading threads, Goggling them, I believe that ford did not offer them till '98, am I right? If so, how would one go about wiring them up with a switch? I am not sure how they even work stock. I think they look great, and think they would come in handy for me.
Anyone?