Wire a switch to manually turn on the puddle lamps?

[Warrant]

Hey guys, Been lurking for a long time but this is my first thread.

Pretty much all my questions have always been answered through a simple search. But I need a little direction on this one.

I am looking to mod the puddle/courtesy lamps to a interior switch to be able to manually turn them on while driving, effectively turning them into "rock lights" - I think is what you call them. I think this would be a cool mod, especially when combined with bright LED's, when on a trail at night.

I am working with a 2000 Sport, I have the factory repair/electrical diagram manuals, but they seem to be too damn complicated for me to get anywhere, even the puddle lamps are linked to so many modules/switches/relays etc. And it doesn't seem readily apparent where everything is located in the vehicle

My first Idea was to find the wires to the lights, splice into them (T), send to a switch wired to 12V, and send power to them. But I see several problems to this. First the power would be hot on both ends of the wire, the bulb, and the other end when it should really be off, I'm not sure whats on that other end (a relay?)

Second, I think the door switch (to turn on interior lights when you open a door) would keep it off when the door is closed. And the wireing diagram seems to suggest that the bulb, and door switch are connected. But:

Third, the only time the lights come on is when the doors are open, unless if the key is off and you unlock doors by the remote (which overrides that door switch problem -- Lights can come on with the doors closed.

I suppose I could just cut the wires, send power to them. But then they would only work when I turn them on through the switch, all automatic power on features would be gone.

Any one have any ideas on where to look/what to do. Is there a relay that controls them that I could remove and mod with jumpers/switch? Any help greatly appreciated. I can't be the first to think of this, but cant find anything searching.

 

[FIND]

Here is what you need to do.

Take off your door panel and mirror, then cut the power wire to your puddle lamps.

Go to radio shack, get a few diodes, a switch and some wire. Run power from any 12v+ source. I would stick to a switched power source so your lights don't stay on after you shut the engine off if you forget to turn off your lights.

Take your new power wire and wire it to your switch. From there, run wire out to both of your puddle lamps. I would add some type of plugs near the mirror so that you can remove the mirrors without having to cut the wires.

On your old wiring to the puddle lamp, attach a diode so that power can flow from that wire to the lamp, but when you switch on your lamps using the switch, power cannot go back. This will prevent your interior courtesy lights from coming on every time you use these lights.

Hope this helps you.

Also, as a future consideration, you may also want to convert your puddle lamps to some brighter LED modules than your stock lamps, because even your stock lamps get pretty warm when they are on for a while. If you were using them for long periods as rock lamps, I would really start worrying about heat. Plus, if you can find some really bright LED modules, they would make more effective rock lamps than your factory lamps.

 

[Warrant]

Excellent idea on the diode, Im not sure why I didnt think of that. Ill look into the heat issue too.

 

[theluke19]

I went through something very similar to this, but with my Reverse lights. I basically wanted the same thing - normal functionality, but with a manual override (see my sig)

I think you can use the same type wiring - where the black/pink wire will be the puddle lights wire:

PS - This also allows you to avoid using a diode

 

[FIND]

Why would he want to avoid using a diode?

 

[theluke19]

Diode way would work, but with the 5 pin relay - you wouldn't need a diode. Having the diode adds another point-of-failure (according to the fellas who chimed in on my reverse light override switch thread, and the initial thread which I questioned how to do it)

Not only would it be much simpler, it would also eliminate the diode as a point of failure. With the relay there is a mechanical disconnect of the 2 power inputs, as opposed to a "check valve" in the system.

 

[FIND]

Diode way would work, but with the 5 pin relay - you wouldn't need a diode. Having the diode adds another point-of-failure (according to the fellas who chimed in on my reverse light override switch thread, and the initial thread which I questioned how to do it)

A relay is also a point of failure, and with the diode, you don't need a relay.... I would say that of the two, the diode is the more reliable means of accomplishing what he is doing as it is solid state whereas the relay is more complicated, and will result in more wasted energy. Mainly what it comes down to is what a person is more comfortable with. I would expect that the people who advised you on yours made their statements because they were more familiar with using relays, and since they are not familiar with the use of diodes, they would rather see you use something that is more easily replaced, since other people on the trail would probably just have spare 5 pin relays on hand. I suggested a diode because it shouldn't fail in the conceivable service life of the vehicle unless it is somehow damaged, and then he probably has more to worry about anyway. Plus, given his intended purpose and the type of system he is trying to use, disconnection of the switched element won't cause him undue hardship.

Don't get me wrong. I am not saying that a relay is a bad solution to what he wants to do, I am just saying that a diode would probably be a better and less complicated solution.

 

[Warrant]

Cool tutorial Luke, that should help me out a bit, in fact I might even do that mod while I'm digging around. If I'm going to light up the sides while on a trail, might as well do the rear!

 

[theluke19]

Cool tutorial Luke, that should help me out a bit, in fact I might even do that mod while I'm digging around. If I'm going to light up the sides while on a trail, might as well do the rear!

Totally worth it, and they should come from the factory this way... I know I'll be doing this on any future vehicles I get as well.

Very very easy and inexpensive as well.