Added a switch to front interior lights

[xwing777]

When i was testing at night with LEDs and monitors in wifes PT, every time the doors are opened the front interior lights were distracting. I have a blue LED in the center interior light that gives a warm blue glow but im keeping the fronts regular bulbs for when we need to see inside the car.

You can use the push buttons to turn on or off when doors are closed but theres no way to keep them off when you open the doors but turn on the center light. Anyway heres what i did for when we do light/sound shows and keeping them off regardless.

First i went and got a mini, high amp single pole, single throw switch at Radio Shack part# 275-324 (pics are blurry as my phone doesnt like close ups)




Removed the interior light housing (her car doesnt have a sunroof so yours probably is different than this one?)




Then i cut the factory ground wire (black middle wire) then soldered a pigtail plug (i have a ton of these from when i did RC but you can find them on ebay cheap)




Then drilled a 1/4" hold for the switch. There is very little room but it will fit. Slight trimming where the factory plugin is needed (you will see what im talking about if you do this)




Put light back in housing (you can see where i trimmed just behind the center switch leg:




Soldered the other end of the pigtail harness to the switch:




Then install and plug in the harness on both:




Now to test switched on:

[lowpt]

Bring the stuff to do this to mine while we are at return to the Beach!

I really like this. I may have to steal this idea.

[xwing777]

Something i just thought of today Not going to mess with headliner so little ideas like this getting done instead.

You really want me to pickup the stuff for you? If so, you want me to bring solder iron, shrink wrap, etc, to? Let me know before we head down so i can box it up with the other stuff.