SOLUTION: 4th gen Personal (aka Map) Light mod

[rando]

Re: Blade Fuse taps

You can get a blade fuse tap from radio shack for a $1.49. After you crimp your wire into it (I solder it as well for security), they are made to be inserted into a blade type automotive fuse for power tapping purposes.

I just found these a week ago while picking through a parts drawer for something else.

http://www.radioshack.com/search.asp?find=ATC+Fuse+Tap&hp=search&SRC=1&image1.x=30&image1.y=34

Sure, I know there are all kinds of 'other' ways to hook it up. I was specifically referring to the terminals inside the factory connectors. You can order these things from Molex, Amp, ... but you need to know which ones. Alternatively, you can do some guess work; as kmvreter indicated he did.

 

[Whoknows]

I'm a newbie to the forum and just have had my 4runner for 2 mos., but I'm wanting to do this as my first mod. It has bothered me that the front lighting is so poor.

I have a question for Kmvreter. Do you have the part number for the Toyota OEM female terminal?

I'd also love to see ScottAW's pictures before I give this a try, but they don't show up on his post.......unless there's some trick I don't know.....

 

[ScottAW]

I'd also love to see ScottAW's pictures before I give this a try, but they don't show up on his post.......unless there's some trick I don't know.....

Yeah, I removed them from my server as I only had so much available space and had to host some other pictures.

If there is a way to upload them to this site I'd be willing to do that, I still have them.

 

[Whoknows]

ScottAW,

That would be great. If not, could you email them to me?

Also, has anyone else had the problem of loosing one of the small metal clips that holds in the personal light assembly (a.k.a. map lights, sun glass holder, homelink, etc)? I pulled mine out to inspect and both came off. One was still in the slot where I could retrieve it, but the other is gone -- I suspect it may but in that slot still and I'll try to fish for it, but........

 

[Whoknows]

Hey Kmvreter,

I'm almost finished w/ this install and was able to obtain a Toyota female terminal connector from a kind mechanic at the stealership who happened to overhear me talking to the clueless parts department guy.

However, I cannot figure out how to install the terminal connector into the plastic connector block.

I'm sure it is easy, I'm just stumped.

 

[Whoknows]

Finally finished this mod.
javascript:smilie(':awais:')

I figured out how the terminal connector fits if any others are interested. There is spring loaded "clip" on the side of the connector block that needs to be gently pulled out as you feed the female terminal connector into the block.

I recommed getting a terminal connector if you can, especially if you have a rather loaded limited as I do (b/c there are a lot more wires in the bundle running through the A pillar). I also was not able to find one of those T-type clamp-on wire taps despite trying radio shack, various auto parts stores, and home depot.

The whole process took me longer than others due to some problems I ran into (see below)
and my lack of experience, but it is a very do-able mod for the novice. I love the result!

Thanks to all for the invaluable info, without which it would not have been possible.

Process & problems:

My map light assembly had damaged retaining pins due to previous shoddy work done when I had an aftermarket DVD player installed. Had to replace them.

I used hot glue gun to secure the connections to the switches in the map light assembly.

The two screws in my A pillar were stripped (just the heads thankfully) due to same shoddy workmanship.

Unable to find T-type cramp-on wire tap.

I have the SRS airbags and the bag is right there in the A pillar as Rando suspected (see picture if I attached it correctly).

It is not a problem, however, the keep the wires routed where they need to be.

:awais: :awais:

 

[rando]

Hey Kmvreter,

I'm almost finished w/ this install and was able to obtain a Toyota female terminal connector from a kind mechanic at the stealership who happened to overhear me talking to the clueless parts department guy.

However, I cannot figure out how to install the terminal connector into the plastic connector block.

I'm sure it is easy, I'm just stumped.

Did you by chance get the part number for that terminal?

 

[greasefingers]

Yea I did this Mod last weekend at our Northeast Tech meeting. I must thank all that have previously performed this. The hardest part is realizing that inserting the female terminal into the connector block is complicated without releasing the terminal retainer or locking devise; as Whoknows pointed out.

 

[Whoknows]

Did you by chance get the part number for that terminal?

Sorry Rando,

I was lucky in that a mechanic literally wandered near the parts desk, overheard me trying to describe the part , and went into the garage and pulled one from an old connector. I will say that recently when looking into a iPod adapter, I noticed that it came with some connectors that had these little jewels in them. So, I'm guessing that ordering a connector from Toyota would supply one with several.

I wish I could help more.............

 

[wbender]

Replacing personal light module

So I now have the light module out but it won't stay when I attempt to place it back in position. Nothing looks broken but there must be some clips missing. The sun glass holder end of the module just hangs down. Nothing looks to be broken or anything. Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[rando]

There should be two metal clips that hold it tightly in place. It's not uncommon to mangle them when pulling the unit out. If you can't bend them back to their normal shape, then order new clips from your dealer or on-line.

 

[Whoknows]

Re: Replacing personal light module

So I now have the light module out but it won't stay when I attempt to place it back in position. Nothing looks broken but there must be some clips missing. The sun glass holder end of the module just hangs down. Nothing looks to be broken or anything. Thanks for any thoughts.

As Rando mentioned, the clips are easily mangled.... as mine were from a previous install of aftermarket DVD. You should see two plastic pieces that have small rectangular holes in them. That is wher the metal clips attach and, when pushed by up into the roof, hold the module in place. I was able to order from stealership though there was some difficulty had by the parts dude finding them on their system.

 

[greasefingers]

When I did this Mod, I lost one of the front metal clips; removing the light module. It flew off somewhere inside the headliner. I could not find it anywhere. So mine sags a tad bit as it is now being held in place by three of the four tabs. My wife has not noticed yet, so I let it slide. Some day it will probably add to the existing moon roof rattle.

 

[wbender]

Finished the install tonight. Only problem was getting contact from the middle wire in the ribbon cable. The 2005 T4R Limited has two ribbon cables, one with two wires, one with three wires. Both are white with blue stripes. The two wire version was most evident. Had to dig a while to find that there was indeed a 3 wire version. BIG improvement post install. I really thank you for this info. Now the simple question - why not this way from the factory?

 

[usuarioxyz]

Thanks Scotaw for the pics

Just finished installing the homelink. Looking for the original connector for the 1A connector, it looks like that would be difficult without a part number.

 

[RamThis]

Resurrecting an old thread.....

Just got my 06 a month ago and wanted to do something like this and a search led me to this post.

Earlier in the post the amp load was mentioned as possibly being a bit high for the circuit. The map lights should not add but possibly an amp, give or take a bit, to the load. Usually fuses are rated at double the nominal load to make up for any fluctuations or differences in amp draw. So it it's made to run 4 or 5 amps, using a 10 amp fuse, then 5 to 6 amps will not effect the circuit any.

BUT, if you are still worried about it, you can always upgrade to LED bulbs, which use much less amperage/voltage to operate, and would negate any worries about adding amp draw to the circuit.....

Just a thought. I'm going to do this mod too as soon as I get the time, as the map lights staying dark when the rest come on bugs the hell out of me. My Acura Integra was the same way, and I always hated it but never seemd to get around to modding it.

Here's a link to a GREAT LED website, has LED replacements for most factory bulbs, just plug and play!!!

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=CAR

And:

http://autolumination.com/

 

[greasefingers]

I love this Mod and could not live without it! Another solute to Rando.:beer:

 

[jimsi]

Question for the group

Instead of tapping into the ILE circuit is it possible to connect it to the door side of the dome light switch? I think that this would be an ideal spot cause it would now be switched like the dome light.

 

[rando]

Re: Question for the group

Instead of tapping into the ILE circuit is it possible to connect it to the door side of the dome light switch? I think that this would be an ideal spot cause it would now be switched like the dome light.

See page 3 of this thread (third post from the bottom) -- The DOOR position on the dome light switch is ILE.

 

[jimsi]

can you tap into the overhead light switch itself so it would be switched like the overhead light? ile controlled when in the door(pos3) position, off in pos 2 and on in pos 1?

...
This is the OEM wiring for other overhead lights. These are the same as above except when in the DOOR position. In that case, the ground path is controlled by ILE via the Body ECU. This does the fade out effect. If you leave them in the ON position, the dome relay switches them off.
Battery==Dome relay==Overhead Light Switch Pole
GND==============Overhead Light Switch Pos1 (On)
N/C ==============Overhead Light Switch Pos2 (Off)
GND==Body ECU(ILE)==Overhead Light Switch Pos3 (Door)