dash courtesy lights

[bravekozak]

I want to install some under dash courtesy lights. They are to come on when a door is opened, exactly the same way the dome light comes on. I picked up a pair with diffusers, from a Jeep at the junkyard. I was going to use the small white Mazda two pin connectors, but the terminals are far too large for the wire gauge. Instead, I am using some mini UC connectors from easternbeaver.com. They are the proper size and give a perfect crimp for such a thin gauge wire. I used the mini UC connectors once before for my vanity visors. Next post, drill a couple of holes and mount them so everyone can see what they look like all lit up.

[bravekozak]

After trying to mount it from the front of the dash bottom bracket, I figured out the best way was identical to the Jeep, pointing down. There is a triangular gusset on the bracket on both sides. All you need is to drill a hole and screw in a screw. It is not visible even when seated.

[bravekozak]

I used the full length of red/blue wire that travels across the floor pan from another Festiva. I wired from the right hand under dash courtesy lamp to the right door switch. I decided to put an open barrel splice to connect it to the right door switch. I must say, it lights beautifully. I terminated and screwed the left hand under dash courtesy lamp. I will take a picture next time when they are both fully functioning.

[bravekozak]

I will update this pic when I get the A/C wiring off the floor and the glovebox back in. I need a tripod for low light.

[91green]

Very good idea

[Twistiva]

Very good idea

Yeah, what ^^^^^ said! Looking nice, Dan!

[bravekozak]

Here is a pic of the R/H passenger splice before I shoved the connectors into the seat belt hole and put the carpet back. I just ran the red/blue wire together along with the rear hatch actuator wires.
By using a set of connectors, I am able to keep both harnesses separate.

[bravekozak]

Can someone please let me know if you can see the picture with this YouTube mp4 format?

[91green]

Works for me

[bravekozak]

I redid the video without the radio blaring, and included the vanity visors.

[1990new]

I redid the video without the radio blaring, and included the vanity visors.

The courtesy lights are nice. Seeing the video makes me want to do add those to Trixie.

Do they also come on when you turn on the dome light manually with the doors closed?

[bravekozak]

I didn't test for that. Maybe, because they are all on the same ground. I will test it with the doors shut and sitting in the vehicle and let you know. In the meantime, you can grab the courtesy lights from any Chrysler CJ or Jeep Cherokee. It gives any car a touch of class + it's simple and inexpensive to do. I would get power and ground to the right hand one from the right hand door switch. You could fabricate a pigtail to go in between the connector to the dome lamp and just plug it in for the left hand courtesy.

[1990new]

Not a big deal if they don't come on with the dome switch in any case.
Sounds pretty easy.
I'll pick up some next time I go to LKQ.
I've been a little under the weather the last several days, but I'm doing good now.

If you want to keep the same color code (red/blue) for the wiring, just cut out some low beam wire at the junkyard. It's the same color.

OK... I'll get that too.

[bravekozak]

If you want to keep the same color code (red/blue) for the wiring, just cut out some low beam wire at the junkyard. It's the same color. Since this circuit is always hot, I would highly recommend pulling the ROOM fuse prior to splicing or reterminating.

[fuddrucker]

Like that... Looks really good.