Just wanted to see the different types of installs people have done for lighting underneath the dash. I know theres a diy in the forum on how to do it but it was only for when you open the door. If I wanted the lights to be on anytime the headlights are on in the car, what would i have to do to connect it. I wouldl like it to light up when you open the door which is already in the documentation and when the headlights are on at night. Has anyone done this setup this way. I know you can use an off and on switch for that but I think it would look better it just being on at night. What do you guys think..

 

Set it up with a relay that draws off of the headlight switch signal or even the illumination signal at the head unit.

 

do not , no matter what you do tap into the lumination switch behind the headunit. It rests at ground when your lights are off , then sends voltage when you turn your headlights on , the voltage level depends on how bright you have your dash set , if you have to many lights hooked up to it you'll draw to much current and kill your dash lights , if you hook it up incorrectly you'll kill your dash lights. your better off just tapping into the parking light wire at the fuse box... they'll turn on with your parking lights and headlights... if you want them to turn on with your door you'll have to relay off that

 

I was suggesting adding a relay whcih is activated by the illumination signal. The power for the under dash lighting would come from the other side of the relay and not draw from the dash circuit at all. I do not believe that the relay would draw much if anything near what it would take to cause damage to the dash circuit. Probably much less than what the headunit itself draws since all it has to do is hold the relay closed.

 

Has anyone done a setup like that. Do you think there would be too much light when you are normally driving. Also if i set it up like that(with the parking fuse) then i wont be able to have an off and on switch at night just in case i wanted them off normally. Is the parking light fuse under the drivers side fuse box or under the hood. I dont have the service manual with me but want how much work would be involved.

 

i was only stating that it seems with his level of electronics knowledge that if he wired up a relay wrong , caused it to stay on 24/7 it could fry it.... or if he hooked the input to the switch of the relay it would be bad...

rikhemi , search the DIY on how to install gauges... that'll show you where theres extra slots in our cars to get 12v constant , ignition and parking lights..

 

I do agree that the parking light is a better choice. For me, I do not have a head unit, and the illum. wire is just sitting there, so I would consider using it. But, I realize my set up is not like the majority of people's out there.

 

oh and if you want a switch , just put one in between the wire that your running to the parking light... sooo if your parking lights are on you and turn them on and off with the parking lights

 

great.. ill check for the install on gauges. Thanks for all the info..

 

I just checked the guage instructions xviper but didnt see where he mentions about the slots avaliable for this.. can someone point me to where it is..