My version of the Maplight Mod

[sigepbiker]

Can someone confirm this is the correct ribbon to tap into from the a pillar? The white ribbon. Is it the narrow middle wire?

Yes. Tap into the middle wire on that ribbon.

 

[Dylan]

Yes. Tap into the middle wire on that ribbon.

Awesome, thanks man. It works.

Here's some other pics which cover how to do this by tapping into the A pillar, the second method J.A. lists. I didn't want to mess with pulling the dash. Additionally I do not have lights on my running board to tap into, but I do have a sunroof so it was quite simple.

Switches are wired with 18 awg wire into the open socket.

Male and Female ends for easy removal.

White ribbon in the left side A-pillar. The Middle wire is the one to tap.

I snipped the wire then used an extension of 18 awg so it could connect with the wire from the map light.

Next I soldered the wires and then heat shrunk them.

Tuck it all back in, button it up. Bingo. Now the map light works with the doors.

 

[Riseagainst]

Question

I'm excited, I'm gonna be tackling this tonight along with my LED lights that just got in.

I just want to check but I can still use the map lights as strictly map lights? IE-in the car while it's running and all the doors closed and I need to look at a map while driving. I'll still be able to turn the map lights on like normal?


Also another question.... I was looking at OP's switch he used, a double throw. I'm just thinking but shouldn't I be able to wire in all the dome lights to one side of the switch and the map light mod to the other side of the switch?
So for example like in my Silverado I can turn all the dome lights on at any time with a flick of a switch. Shouldn't I be able to do the same? I know it can be done but for those that have done similar mods would it be worth it? or extremely time consuming?
Either way i'll probably end up doing it I'm just looking for opinions and advice or some helpful threads elsewhere.

 

[Slowgoat]

This write up helped a ton.

Thanks!!!

:thumb3:

 

[BlueRidgeRunner]

Great Write Up

I used this to help me out today and it made things much easier! I did not want to take much of my car apart as it was raining out so instead of doing the a pillar or tapping into the ecu I used the dome light just behind the front seats. I thought it would be difficult to snake the wire through and around the sunroof, but it took less than 5 minutes. I used a multi meter to find that the middle wire to this dome light went hot when the doors were open. The connector at the dome light is easily tapped into without requiring any extra hardware. It is a gate style so you can simply flip it open, add your accessory wire and close it and you have power! I've included a picture below to help visualize this. Also, all you really need for this is about 4 feet of 18 gauge wire, one bullet style connector, and some electrical tape.Thanks so much J.A.!!

 

[brian.joshua]

I used this to help me out today and it made things much easier! I did not want to take much of my car apart as it was raining out so instead of doing the a pillar or tapping into the ecu I used the dome light just behind the front seats. I thought it would be difficult to snake the wire through and around the sunroof, but it took less than 5 minutes. I used a multi meter to find that the middle wire to this dome light went hot when the doors were open. The connector at the dome light is easily tapped into without requiring any extra hardware. It is a gate style so you can simply flip it open, add your accessory wire and close it and you have power! I've included a picture below to help visualize this. Also, all you really need for this is about 4 feet of 18 gauge wire, one bullet style connector, and some electrical tape.Thanks so much J.A.!!

Old thread, but this post helped. Took me about 10 minutes to figure out that the wire needs to be routed along the passenger side.

Also, my 2007 center dome light doesn't look like that at all. Mine has wires that are closer looking to a thin wire ribbon from a computer.

 

[BMWSTOY]

Thanks

Great write up.
-
Thanks to Dylan for the follow up for us without lighted running boards, will do this with my $12 LED kit - my first MOD :thumb3:

 

[Flash Runner]

Old thread, but this post helped. Took me about 10 minutes to figure out that the wire needs to be routed along the passenger side.

Also, my 2007 center dome light doesn't look like that at all. Mine has wires that are closer looking to a thin wire ribbon from a computer.

Old thread I know, but I'm posting this for future lurkers like myself. On the later 4th gens (06-09 I'd assume) the center dome light got changed and the wires going to it is the same ILE ribbon wire in the A-pillar - all white with 3 blue stripes.

Given they were both ribbon wires, I tapped into the A-pillar one to save myself the trouble of snaking the wire around the sunroof. Just use a razor to isolate the center wire then use a scotchlok to put it with your new 18awg wire.

 

[Geecole]

Maplight mod troubleshoot

Just did the mod on my ‘08 and while the map lights work now, I lost most of the light to the middle dome light...thoughts? I tied into the circuit with a quick splice on the driver side windshield column....

 

[CookieRoe]

Just did the mod on my ‘08 and while the map lights work now, I lost most of the light to the middle dome light...thoughts? I tied into the circuit with a quick splice on the driver side windshield column....

[MENTION=321543]Geecole[/MENTION] , Did you ever figure out what was happening?

Anyway, I have my GX470 overhead console installed, but the "door open/dimming" wire isn't hooked up yet. I had my A-pillar apart and saw many white wires, but had no idea I had to splice into the middle wire (1 of 3 wires in the same ribbon). I was going to splice into the ECU wire (didn't really want to). This method seems to be much easier.

I still can't believe I didn't see this thread. As always, thanks to J.A.!!

 

[Geecole]

Nope...weird thing is, every now and then, right he rear dome lights will blink in. I know that sounds like a bad connection, but given how thin those wires are, the connection is as solid as it can be. Good luck on yours!

 

[B_abell]

Thanks for the write up! I tapped mine off of the dome light and have the symptoms Chris had, except mine is the passenger. Turning on passenger map light illuminates all interior domes. Viewing this as a happy surprise, extremely handy at times!

 

[J.A.]

Thanks for the write up! I tapped mine off of the dome light and have the symptoms Chris had, except mine is the passenger. Turning on passenger map light illuminates all interior domes. Viewing this as a happy surprise, extremely handy at times!

Cool, glad to hear the write up and this thread (13 yrs old) helped! Let me know if you do any of the other mods on my site. J.A.'s Toyota 4Runner Sport Edition Informational Website

 

[TimWithTheT4R]

Edit: Disregard please.