Topic: Interior Door Handle LED wiring

[Gabes Redline]

So Ive done a search on this  forum and even google searched for the interior night time wiring to have the interior door handle LED's that Im looking into install light up only when the instrument cluster lights up.  Anyone know which wires?  Im familiar with the lighting mods that involve the map light wiring however those are not the ones Im looking for.
Thanks.

[TomatoSoup]

According to the 2006 wiring diagram, pin F2 on connector C4 of the BCM (gray wire) supplies the switch and IC backlight voltage.  I have used this supply (I just tapped off it at the back of one of the dash switches) and found it is constant voltage but with an on-off duty cycle that varies with the lighting level knob.

Verify you have the right one - with a meter - before you cut anything

[Sly Bob]

Be sure to post pictures as you go or at least the final product. This is something that I've thought about doing. I have it in my Malibu and always liked the look.

[TomatoSoup]

Be sure to post pictures as you go or at least the final product. This is something that I've thought about doing. I have it in my Malibu and always liked the look.

There was this... http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f62/door-handle-lights-56947/

Back to the OP,  I'm not sure, but do you really want to have the handles lit all the time at night?  I doubt that it's legal, and not sure it would look good. 

My 2c - I would think it better to light with the map/interior lights, like the link I posted here.  Then they come on when you press the remote, and go off when you drive off.

[Critterman]

He wants the inside handles back lighted not the outside.

[TomatoSoup]

He wants the inside handles back lighted not the outside.

Doh!  Never mind 

In that case, splice into the backlight wire for the door lock (or other) switches, rather than running another wire from the BCM.  Again it's a gray wire you are looking for, but that color may be reused, so check with a meter first.

[Sly Bob]

And to find a wide angle led that's not too bright. Have to look around and see what I can find.

[TomatoSoup]

And to find a wide angle led that's not too bright. Have to look around and see what I can find.

That bit's easy - dim it with a BF resistor

[Gabes Redline]

Tomatosoup,
So sorry, whats a BF resistor?  I do want the dim look.

[Sly Bob]

I think it's like a BFH only instead of a hammer, it's a resistor.   

[TomatoSoup]

I think it's like a BFH only instead of a hammer, it's a resistor.   

Exactly!

From the TS Electrical Dictionary:

BF re·sis·tor   [bee eff ri-zis-ter]
noun
a device designed to introduce very high resistance into an electric circuit, thereby severely impairing current flow.

[Sly Bob]

I've got an extra LED on a ribbon that I used in the cubby between the seats but I'm sure that'll be too bright. A few vendors have a 5mm 120 degree LED that throws about 4 lux. That might do it but it would be nice to find a prewired one for lazy people like me that don't want to have to bother with resistors.   

Or BFRs...   

[2kwk4u]

BFR specs for the LEDs I installed can be found here, for ref:

http://www.kappaperformance.com/forum/index.php/topic,3578.msg44310.html#msg44310

[Critterman]

2k - Start a thread on Moscow w/pics

A lot of people here aren't on FB and would be interested.

[2kwk4u]

2k - Start a thread on Moscow w/pics

A lot of people here aren't on FB and would be interested.

Way to hijack!  I'll do that, though...  thanks for the suggestion.  Need to take a camera around with me downtown someday soon and take pictures of the ridiculously expensive cars that are everywhere.  Have seen several Bentlys, Ferraris, Maybachs, Astons...  No Kappas yet, though.