Map Lights On When Doors Open

[pbm317]

I don't know if this should be here or in Accessories.

I know some people have mentioned that they'd like the map lights by the sunroof control to turn on when the doors open. I noticed that the map lights in the GX470 have this feature, and the module that it's in looks exactly like ours.

Does anyone know if this unit would work in our truck too? I know that when I switched to the Homelink module it was a simple plug-in unit. I wonder if the GX unit would also be this easy to plug in, and if the door open light would work. I don't know if there's a special signal going to the GX light that just isn't there on ours.

Maybe I'll have to take the plunge and invest in a part.

 

[Luxury]

If I leave those maplights on when I leave the car, they automatically shut off. When I re-enter the car they will turn on again.

 

[pedro_arg]

I know some people have mentioned that they'd like the map lights by the sunroof control to turn on when the doors open.

Don't know if this helps but my G2 - 1992 Runner does have this feature.

Basically I have:

Central light: on/off/door options.
Map light: independent on/off + door on/off otion on a separate switch.
Trunk light: on/off/door options (conected to the back door only).

Hope this helps.

 

[tkr128]

I was parked next to a Highlander Limited the other day and noticed that it had this feature. The console has an additional light switch (door, off, on) and looks to be about the same size, but I'd worry about there not being a line to trigger the light to go on.

 

[cmachado]

If I leave those maplights on when I leave the car, they automatically shut off. When I re-enter the car they will turn on again.

So do you drive with the map lights on? Sounds like a hassle if you have to turn them off everytime you get in the car and then remember to turn them off before you exit.

 

[rando]

So do you drive with the map lights on? Sounds like a hassle if you have to turn them off everytime you get in the car and then remember to turn them off before you exit.

I believe driving with your interior lights on is a No No, at least in California.

 

[Luxury]

If I leave those maplights on when I leave the car, they automatically shut off. When I re-enter the car they will turn on again.

So do you drive with the map lights on? Sounds like a hassle if you have to turn them off everytime you get in the car and then remember to turn them off before you exit.

Nope and yup. I just stated what I noticed it would do. I don't know if it helps at all, so maybe I commented a little too fast without thinking it through.

I think your second "off", you probably meant to write "on".

 

[Mark86]

The map lights is a minor thing that bothers me so much. I wish that my truck was brighter when I unlocked it, especially late at night. I tried turning them on when the engine was off and then seeing if they would turn off when I started it. They didn't. If anyone has a fix, I would love to know too!

 

[Luxury]

I messed around with it tonight and it really brightens the truck a lot with the map lights.

I was parked next to a Highlander Limited the other day and noticed that it had this feature. The console has an additional light switch (door, off, on) and looks to be about the same size, but I'd worry about there not being a line to trigger the light to go on.

Therefore, I guess we need to find out if our two dome lights have a seperate "line to trigger the light to go on". It would be pretty sweet if all we had to do is add one of those switches inline with the maplights.........might need two switches?

 

[rando]

Strange, why do I recall answering this one before. I just did a search and didn't find anything. Hmm.....

My recollection is that there wasn't an easy solution to this problem. I'll have to take another peek at the wiring manuals to confirm.

I think the biggest problem with the map lights is the physical integration between the lights and their mechanical switch. To automate them, you need them to be mechanically switched on at all times but then they wouldn't be very functional as map lights. Ideally you want a 3 position switch -- similar to the rear seat and hatch lights (auto, off, on). Once you get 3 positions, it's a trivial matter to hook them up to work like the other lights.

 

[rando]

Rando, you're right, this was discussed before but I seem to remember it was buried in the middle of a different thread.

Ok, that helped jog my memory. It's not buried so much as it's in a poorly titled thread.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3617

 

[pbm317]

Okay, well i just contacted lexus parts, and hope to get either an answer from them, or I'm going to order the part and try it out.