Courtesy Lights on 87 Firebird

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Lights, Neon, LEDs, HIDs
Forum Discription: Under Car Lighting, Strobe Lights, Fog Lights, Headlights, HIDs, DRL, Tail Lights, Brake Lights, Dashboard Lights, WigWag, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=78834
Printed Date: May 21, 2024 at 7:19 AM

Topic: Courtesy Lights on 87 Firebird

Posted By: bluburd
Subject: Courtesy Lights on 87 Firebird
Date Posted: June 07, 2006 at 10:57 AM

Hey everyone. I have received great assistance in the past here and thought I would try again with my next project.

I have four LEDs that that illuminate the footwell and are currently hooked to a switch in my dash. What I'm trying to do is to hook up these LEDs so they act as courtesy lights when I open the door. I have found the wiring and socket where the courtesy bulb is located, but want to find out how to wire this in. There is a black wire (ground I'm assuming) and an orange wire (live) leading to the bulb socket.

How can I wire in my LEDs so they come on when the car's doors are opened?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Replies:

Posted By: ff-mike
Date Posted: June 07, 2006 at 4:04 PM

Wire them in parallel to the courtesy light, your color code is correct

Posted By: bluburd
Date Posted: June 07, 2006 at 5:26 PM

How would the switch on my dash fit into this situation?

Posted By: bluburd
Date Posted: June 07, 2006 at 5:30 PM

I forgot to mention that I have them wired parallel right now, just not with the courtesy light.

I really want to be able to control them with the switch when I'm inside and also have them turn on when the door opens. Is there a way to do this?

Posted By: ff-mike
Date Posted: June 08, 2006 at 1:45 PM

First thing to do is to check and see which line is switched on the existing courtesy light.
If it is the positive side, then you should be able to wire your switch in parallel to the existing wiring, + on side of the switch, and your add-ons to the other side
If it is ground controlled, then you would wire the switch in parallel, greound on one side of the switch, and your lighting on the other