Anytime Control of Mirror Puddle Lights: Use as Ditch Lights

[4RPower]

Out of stock...

Looking forward to doing this cool mod, especially since MeSo Customs now has (in stock) the plug and play wiring harness for the 5th gen. The puddle lights however are not in stock. I asked via email when/if they would have more. Actually got an email y'day "more are in production and will be avail....soon"

 

[daytonaviolet]

Great write up ElectroBoy. But I took the easy route and installed the meso puddle light kit. It worked like a charm as it was all plug and play.

Also I added the reverse trigger to it so the puddles automatically turns on while backing up. If you want to give this a try. Just connect pin4 of the meso puddle light kit switch to the reverse trigger pin4 red wire in main body ecu harness.

Thanks OldRed for the trigger wire.

 

[ElectroBoy]

Great write up ElectroBoy. But I took the easy route and installed the meso puddle light kit. It worked like a charm as it was all plug and play.

Also I added the reverse trigger to it so the puddles automatically turns on while backing up. If you want to give this a try. Just connect pin4 of the meso puddle light kit switch to the reverse trigger pin4 red wire in main body ecu harness.

Thanks OldRed for the trigger wire.

Thanks, that’s a great idea!
I’m looking at the back-up lights wiring diagram and how to wire it into my setup.
I’m wondering if you could check something out on your 4R for me.

When you flip the Meso switch to On, do the backup lights turn On as well as the puddle lights?

 

[daytonaviolet]

Thanks, that’s a great idea!
I’m looking at the back-up lights wiring diagram and how to wire it into my setup.
I’m wondering if you could check something out on your 4R for me.

When you flip the Meso switch to On, do the backup lights turn On as well as the puddle lights?

When I manually turn on the puddle lights, the reverse back lights does not turn on. Only time the back up lights turn on is when I’m actually in reverse.

I made my own anytime front - rear camera harness and I had to add bias diodes when ever i touched the reverse trigger. So both front and rear mode has a diode.

If your having that issue when manually turning on puddle lights, are you using reverse trigger ? If so the diode may also be needed.

The diagram below is for the CTH anytime camera switch when used with the T9. But I’m showing this as a diode example.

 

[anomalous]

I had the same idea after doing the MESO puddle lights upgrade a while ago. I used a AOB switch with a relay to be able to manually turn on\off the puddle lights with ignition on. I was able to get a wiring diagram of the puddle lights from a member here, and successfully tapped into the system. Works great

12 Volt 3amp ON-OFF Toyota OEM Replacement Push Switch with LED blue lights for Highlander, Tacoma, 4Runner, Tundra and Sequoia

 

[ElectroBoy]

When I manually turn on the puddle lights, the reverse back lights does not turn on. Only time the back up lights turn on is when I’m actually in reverse.

I made my own anytime front - rear camera harness and I had to add bias diodes when ever i touched the reverse trigger. So both front and rear mode has a diode.

If your having that issue when manually turning on puddle lights, are you using reverse trigger ? If so the diode may also be needed.

The diagram below is for the CTH anytime camera switch when used with the T9. But I’m showing this as a diode example.

I haven’t implemented a reverse trigger yet. But yeah, that’s what I was thinking, that I’d need to add a forward biased diode from the MB ECU harness 2F pin 4 (Backup lights +12V) to the Meso switch wire that powers the puddle lights. That would block any puddle light operation from turning on the reverse lights.

But with this circuit whenever in reverse there would be +12V going to the MB ECU illumination output F10 pin 4 (MILE). This is what supplies power to the puddle lights. I’m not sure if that output driver would be OK with that when it’s not active. Might be better to add another diode in that line, similar to your diode ORing scheme for the camera control.

Thanks for the info, another project for me. :hatsoff:

 

[daytonaviolet]

I haven’t implemented a reverse trigger yet. But yeah, that’s what I was thinking, that I’d need to add a forward biased diode from the MB ECU harness 2F pin 4 (Backup lights +12V) to the Meso switch wire that powers the puddle lights. That would block any puddle light operation from turning on the reverse lights.

But with this circuit whenever in reverse there would be +12V going to the MB ECU illumination output F10 pin 4 (MILE). This is what supplies power to the puddle lights. I’m not sure if that output driver would be OK with that when it’s not active. Might be better to add another diode in that line, similar to your diode ORing scheme for the camera control.

Thanks for the info, another project for me. :hatsoff:

Depends on where your getting 12v to power. During reverse trigger on backup should be okay with no diode. your anytime puddle switch power is different than reverse so your okay [emoji1417]

I would wire it first to see if the back up lights only comes on during reverse only, then your good.

 

[4RPower]

Back in stock at Mesocustoms.com !

Looking forward to doing this cool mod, especially since MeSo Customs now has (in stock) the plug and play wiring harness for the 5th gen. The puddle lights however are not in stock. I asked via email when/if they would have more. Actually got an email y'day "more are in production and will be avail....soon"

Bit pricier than expected....but I had to have them.

 

[007Tacoma]

So much great info in this thread!!!

I am ordering the Meso Customs harness and switch today. I'm definitely going to be doing the reverse light modification as well. You guys are fantastic!!! Thank you!!!

 

[007Tacoma]

Quick question...

Does anyone know where we can get more of these DPDT Toyota Switches or have them custom made?

I have an ugly silver DPDT switch on my dash that is used for controlling my interior running lights (red LEDs so I can see in the cabin without affecting my night driving vision). I'd love to be able to make that flow with the rest of my dash...