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Linking the Map Light with Cabin Light

PostPosted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 7:32 pm
by gradg
Hey guys,

found this over on ozfoz, all be it for an older model, it's something I'd like to do.

http://ozfoz.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f= ... &sk=t&sd=a

It's a DIY for linking the cabin light with the map light so when the car is unlocked, the map lights show also.

I've got a wagon with the sunroof, when I unlock the car, it'd be nice to be able to see in.

The only issue I can see with it is that the 2 map lights being on separate switches and they're not 'wired' as such, they're on those separate hard connections, so you can't really just go to the active on the switch.

Realistically it would only take a could of diodes and some building wire, some soldering would definitely need to be done. I'm wondering if there's anything aside from the keyhole surround that I could tap in to on the dash, would save me running building wire in the roof lining.

Thoughts?

I haven't taken the meter down yet to check out which wire is which with it all - just thought I'd put the idea out there to see if it had been attempted or can be done

Cheers

Re: Linking the Map Light with Cabin Light

PostPosted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 8:19 pm
by bigBADbenny
It's apparently a fairly simple mod, but...
If you don't get the polarity exactly right you'll likely blow your body integrated unit.
Which is a big PITA.
There's a how to on LGT iirc. :)

Re: Linking the Map Light with Cabin Light

PostPosted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 8:56 pm
by gradg
Link? :)

Polarity shouldnt be a problem if a meter is run over it prior to power. Any way you can take the BIU out to test the light function?

Re: Linking the Map Light with Cabin Light

PostPosted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 9:16 pm
by bigBADbenny

Re: Linking the Map Light with Cabin Light

PostPosted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 9:57 pm
by gradg
bigBADbenny wrote:LMGTFY


I have no idea what this is but thanks mate! haha

Re: Linking the Map Light with Cabin Light

PostPosted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 10:16 pm
by Anson
Easy peasy to do - even easier with sunroof...
http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/map-lights-dome-light-mod-23139.html?s=c0e574a6dc1022742259302fcabaa155&

Only problem the map lights will still turn on even if you open the door but have the cabin lights switch to off position...

Re: Linking the Map Light with Cabin Light

PostPosted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 10:49 pm
by bigBADbenny
gradg wrote:
bigBADbenny wrote:www.LMGTFY.com


I have no idea what this is but thanks mate! haha


Fixed :)

Another option is just to do the passenger side :)
Iirc the mod also allows switching the room light on via the active map light switch.

Re: Linking the Map Light with Cabin Light

PostPosted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 10:54 pm
by gradg
Anson wrote:Easy peasy to do - even easier with sunroof...
http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/map-lights-dome-light-mod-23139.html?s=c0e574a6dc1022742259302fcabaa155&

Only problem the map lights will still turn on even if you open the door but have the cabin lights switch to off position...


My cabin light never comes off 'door' anyway, so that's not a major problem. Pros outweigh the cons on this one, gonna get it done tomorrow!

Re: Linking the Map Light with Cabin Light

PostPosted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 10:56 pm
by gradg
bigBADbenny wrote:
gradg wrote:
bigBADbenny wrote:www.LMGTFY.com


I have no idea what this is but thanks mate! haha


Fixed :)

Another option is just to do the passenger side :)
Iirc the mod also allows switching the room light on via the active map light switch.


Haha thanks.

That's whats happening if the Diodes aren't installed, correct?

Re: Linking the Map Light with Cabin Light

PostPosted: Fri Aug 29, 2014 11:32 pm
by gradg
Easy as.

Cost me a whole $8.00 to do this, that was with spare bits and too much building wire.

Pull the fuse = no problem when changing polarity on the plug.

Re: Linking the Map Light with Cabin Light

PostPosted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 7:24 pm
by bigBADbenny
So if you turn on your map light, does the room light come on?

Also, how did you check your polarity was correct?
Because yep I'm too scared to try it, help me out :)

Re: Linking the Map Light with Cabin Light

PostPosted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 9:09 pm
by Liberty Wagon
bigBADbenny wrote:So if you turn on your map light, does the room light come on?

Also, how did you check your polarity was correct?
Because yep I'm too scared to try it, help me out :)


I would think it would be alot safer to have the dome light trigger a relay.

Re: Linking the Map Light with Cabin Light

PostPosted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 6:01 pm
by gradg
bigBADbenny wrote:So if you turn on your map light, does the room light come on?

Also, how did you check your polarity was correct?
Because yep I'm too scared to try it, help me out :)


No, Map lights are still switched independently of the dome, either map light, switches still work as normal. This mod literally just makes the map lights come on when a door is opened or the vehicle is unlocked (if you've got it on door mode)

I read through the how-to, because of the way the lights are switched is why you need to reverse the two pins to get this to work. People were blowing up their units because they were trying to do it live and having the wires short out. Pull the right fuse and it eliminates that issue all together. Just don't put it back in until you're sure you're finished :D

Using a meter to check the switch and earth form the dome will check polarity.