Need ideas: Ambient lighting for door switches

[loner]

Ambient lighting for door switches

The one thing that irritates me most about my 4Runner is the lack of lighting for the switches on the door (windows, locks, etc). I hate fumbling around in the dark when trying to roll down the window or lock/unlock the doors at night.

I was hoping someone here has either solved this problem or has ideas on the best way to do it.

What I would like to do is mount a small amber LED somewhere on the door panel to illuminate the switches faintly. I don't care if it's linked to the headlights or if it is always on. I was thinking of putting the LED underneath the grab handle on the door or perhaps at the front side of the elbow rest.

Seems like the hard part is the wiring - how to get access to those places to run wire them them. I haven't had the door panel off yet on this vehilce, so I have no idea what accesss is available behind it. If anyone who knows could fill me in, I'd appreciate it.

 

[pipspeak]

Nice idea... Sadly I'm not the person to give you technical advice, but having had the door panel off it seems that switched power would be easy to tap into so my guess is that all you'd need is a drill, an LED and a resistor.

Of course, what would be really nice is if Toyota offered a new switch panel that had lights in all the switches, not just one of them.

 

[loner]

OKay, it was a cold and snowy day and I had the day off work, so... I went ahead and tackled this project.

Geting the door panel off was not bad. I managed to do it without breaking any of the fasteners. To remove the panel, I followed the instructions I found on the net that were created by Crutchfield.

Next, I located a wire behind the panel that was linked to the ignition. Turns out there is a big black wire that goes to the window switches that fits the bill perfectly. I tapped into that and also ran a ground to a nearby bolt that attached to the door sheet metal. I ran these two wires along the wiring harness and followed the route for the wires that lead to the courtesy light in the door (which is right next to where I located the LED).

The I used my Dremel to cut a small hole in the elbow rest, low and behind the grab handle. This is where I installed the LED. In this position it is not visible from the driver's seat, allows easy access to run the wires out the back, and diffusely illuminates the switches.

I had also considered a position near the top of the grab handle directly over the switches,l but decided against this due to the risk of the LED light being too harsh or focused on the switches (like a spotlight).

I finished up the wiring between the LED and the taps, and installed a quick disconnect inline so I could plug/unplug it as needed when taking the door panel on and off.

Finally, when I tested this, it looked really good except from a ring of light that was emitted out the side of the LED lens. This shone on the door panel and made the location of the LED visible (not good). So I took some clear silicone sealant and ran a small bead around the LED to diffuse that light and get rid of the ring effect. A black sharpie marker would probably be a more elegant approach.

I used an amber ("orange") LED with integrated resistor from Radio Shack, part #276-0272. (12-16V, 25 degree viewing angle, 110 mcd brightness, 9/32" mounting hole) This LED is not very bright, but provides just enough brightness to see the switches without creating a distraction.

Photos below

 

[loner]

The big picture, for orientation

Looking down at the LED

Looking up atthe LED

In the dark (hard to get a good photo with my camera)

 

[loner]

I was only going to do the driver's door, as there is almost never anyone in the pasenger seat. However the more I look at it, the more I like the effect. I'll be doing the passenger side when the weather warms up.


I chose amber because it matches the rest of the lighting and because it would look more natural. I think it works well for this application.

 

[GMZ]

Very nice! Good on you for taking the jump on this, Im putting this on my short list.

 

[kirkmahr]

Very nice! Good on you for taking the jump on this, Im putting this on my short list.

I agree. I'm going to do this too, on all the doors. I am going to try a whiter light.

 

[chaz]

i know this is an old thread, but has any other of you guys done this? im going to do it & was wondering if the lights can be wired right into any of the door switches for power? it does matter to me if they're always on when the vec. is running.

 

[loner]

i know this is an old thread, but has any other of you guys done this? im going to do it & was wondering if the lights can be wired right into any of the door switches for power? it does matter to me if they're always on when the vec. is running.

Like I said above, there is a big black wire going into the switch panel on the door that works really well and comes on with the ignition. The lifespan of an LED bulb is so long, I have no hesitation about it being lit all the time. If you wanted it on just when the lights are on, you could use a circuit tester and find a wire that leads to the (weak-a$$) illumination of the driver's window switch. I don't know which wire this is. Re: your PM question of putting the LED into the handle, I'm not sure how that would work. I think the position described above, on the armrest, really works well.

 

[chaz]

ok, thanks

 

[Lexusbstrdchild]

good work! that is one of the things toyota dropped the ball on for us 4r owners.

 

[chaz]

door switch lights

just gotta say, this is a well worth while mod to do, big difference at night!

 

[SilverGs]

That looks really good chaz ! Is the picture above from your truck? Did you do all your doors?

 

[chaz]

yes its from mine, looks better in person than the pic tho. just did the front doors since i mainly wanted it so i could see the switches better at night. went with orange, white would of made it better to see with but too bright, thanks to loner, imo, this is very worth while. i also did the cup holders for a little more ambient light.

 

[SilverGs]

yes its from mine, looks better in person than the pic tho. just did the front doors since i mainly wanted it so i could see the switches better at night. went with orange, white would of made it better to see with but too bright, thanks to loner, imo, this is very worth while. i also did the cup holders for a little more ambient light.

I agree it does look great. :thumb3:

I have bought the LED's I'll be using and plan to do this mod as soon as it gets warm. My theme will be blue ambient lighting in the doors and footwell and blue background lighting on all the guages with white needles. For the cupholder and glovebox it will be white LED's.

 

[timber725]

gonna do this. hope ot wont be too bright with white led

 

[Bluesky 07]

Bumping this with a plea for help with where to tap for power. OP mentioned "big black wire that goes to the window switches" but I've tried every wire fitting that description with no luck. Those who have done this mod, can you advise exactly where this wire is so I can find it? Unfortunately I don't have the right device to check wires for current.

I have the LED installed but haven't been able to get power to it.

EDIT: Found the power and have a write-up for anyone considering this mod linked in my sig.

 

[Mike_NL]

Looking good!