Ambient lighting question - tapping power in doors?

[SilverGs]

I want to install an LED in each door so that there is some ambient lighting whenever the car is turned on. In other words it will be similar to the cigarette lighter that has power when the ignition is in the ACC position.

Is there a power source that would work in this fashion in the doors, or do I have to run cable to the cigarette lighter? (I would rather not do that if I can help it.)

Clearly there is power in each door - after all the light under the door handle comes on, however it goes off when you shut the door. Is there a way to tap into this somehow so that the LED only comes on when the key is in the ACC position?

I am a noob at this, so the more detail anyone has the better.

 

[DC runner]

You could splice it off the cig lighter, but then the lights would always be on when the vehicle electrical system was initialized, unless you install a on/off switch in the circuit.

Shouldn't be too hard.

 

[SilverGs]

You could splice it off the cig lighter, but then the lights would always be on when the vehicle electrical system was initialized, unless you install a on/off switch in the circuit.

Shouldn't be too hard.

I don't want to splice it off the cigarette lighter because that means I have to run a lot of wire to each door. If there is a way to tap the existing power in the doors that would be easier. Perhaps tapping it before the switch in the circuit that turns off those lights when the door is shut, however that means it will always be on, because those lights come on as soon as you open the door.

 

[DC runner]

I mean, anyway you do it, you are going to have to get into the door. I see coming from the power outlet as easier. You can just mount up 1 on/off switch on your dash if you want.

 

[SilverGs]

I mean, anyway you do it, you are going to have to get into the door. I see coming from the power outlet as easier. You can just mount up 1 on/off switch on your dash if you want.

Its not about getting into the door.

I don't have a problem getting into each door. I just don't want to have to run wire from the cigarette lighter to each door.

There's got to be way to do this without having to run wire through the truck from the cigarette lighter to each door.

 

[darkie3495]

The easiest way is to open up the door and start testing the wires that go into the window switch. Since the windows don't operate unless the key is in the ACC position, there is no need to run the wires from under the dash or the cigarette lighter. everything can be self contained within each door.

As to which wire, that I can't tell you. Just trial and error with a voltmeter is really the only way to make sure.

 

[SilverGs]

The easiest way is to open up the door and start testing the wires that go into the window switch. Since the windows don't operate unless the key is in the ACC position, there is no need to run the wires from under the dash or the cigarette lighter. everything can be self contained within each door.

As to which wire, that I can't tell you. Just trial and error with a voltmeter is really the only way to make sure.

Thanks Kevin! That's exactly what I was looking for and it never occured to me! duh!

 

[DC runner]

Wait. If you splice off the window motor power, you will never have a complete circuit UNLESS you activate the window. You need a constant power line.

 

[chaz]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/45582-need-ideas-ambient-lighting-door-switches.html

 

[SilverGs]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/45582-need-ideas-ambient-lighting-door-switches.html

Thanks chaz! You always have the answers.

 

[chaz]

just have to say besides this, the interior led upgrades including the footwell light mod, cup holder, glovebox, & rear ceiling lights, imo, are some of the best things ive done.