mmarton Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 I think when you reattached the LEDs to the new map light assembly, they must be reverse-biased now. And/or you are now trying to get the BIU to pull down on the 12v side of the map lights; if that is the case, then you're lucky the LEDs are reversed, because you'd fry the BIU otherwise. So be care ful ! Also be aware that the map light circuit shown in the vacation pix is not exactly accurate. I'm a dummy so bear with me. When you say the LEDs are reversed, what's that mean. Also another clue. The map lights came on faintly this morning when I opened the door but quickly faded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Donated bucko3the7man Posted April 29, 2013 I Donated Share Posted April 29, 2013 I'm a dummy so bear with me. When you say the LEDs are reversed, what's that mean. Also another clue. The map lights came on faintly this morning when I opened the door but quickly faded. They're likely not in backwards then. I'm leaning towards a bad connection somewhere in your wiring. backwards would be taking them out and then flipping them around so that the sides that are contacting left and right are now contacting right and left respectively. make sense? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyShackleford Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 Yeah, the "lights came on faintly" thing would rule out reversed LEDs I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmarton Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 They're likely not in backwards then. I'm leaning towards a bad connection somewhere in your wiring. backwards would be taking them out and then flipping them around so that the sides that are contacting left and right are now contacting right and left respectively. make sense? Makes sense. Thanks. I'll take a look at the crimp connectors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmarton Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 All right. I swapped out the crimp connector that joins the wire between the diodes and dome light. I open the door and - Tadah! - the map lights shined bright. So I'm thinking "success" and put the map light assembly back in place, open the door, and nothing. The map lights work when you push their buttons. This morning, one of the map lights came on faintly when I opened the door. I'm scratching my head on this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Donated bucko3the7man Posted April 30, 2013 I Donated Share Posted April 30, 2013 All right. I swapped out the crimp connector that joins the wire between the diodes and dome light. I open the door and - Tadah! - the map lights shined bright. So I'm thinking "success" and put the map light assembly back in place, open the door, and nothing. The map lights work when you push their buttons. This morning, one of the map lights came on faintly when I opened the door. I'm scratching my head on this one. Are your connections to the map light assembly soldered? just go through the entire wiring and check every connection. If you didn't solder every connection there's a chance that it isn't there anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmarton Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Are your connections to the map light assembly soldered? just go through the entire wiring and check every connection. If you didn't solder every connection there's a chance that it isn't there anymore. Not every connection. Just the diodes. I may do a little soldering, then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amason Posted June 12, 2013 Share Posted June 12, 2013 Just wanted to add another source for LEDs: dx.com If you search for "31mm festoon" instead of "3175 LED" you'll get more results, although the second search brings back some cool arrays with 3175 connectors. Lots of options starting at around $2.50 shipped. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HalfastGT Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 For those of you like me that fried your BIU, I found a MOSFET 3377 like the original to replace the crapped one. http://www.ebay.com/itm/290965049519?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 Discovered what to look for on SubOperator's post, but I just want to return to original http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/diy-05-bl-bp-stereo-heat-switches-mirror-switch-illumination-177954.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manarius Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 So, I did this mod tonight and I feel compelled to make some notes from people like me who happen to be stupid and something I came to understand about this mod. I was under the impression that the mod provided an additional hot line to the lights and would power them when on. This is not the case. The mod provides an additional ground option for the already hot light current to travel down. (maybe this was evident to everyone else, but not to me lol) Also, after spending 3 hours working on this mod, I was about to throw up my hands when I re-read something about the step where you switch the pins. Switching the pins switches the grounds. Something I didn't think mattered until I did the mod and it didn't work. Then I realized that if the ground switched, my LED light bulbs would have to be switched because they are polarity sensitive. Sure enough, I wasted 2 extra hours because I had my LED bulbs installed backwards. So, for those of you who already have LED bulbs and try this mod, don't forget to switch your bulbs to the opposite polarity! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HalfastGT Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Finally stopped over thinking it and went back and started from the beginning. Now it works!!! Really is the greatest mod ever! Thanks mwiener2 for the walk through! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the kev master Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 (edited) Tried it followed everything that was said in the first post, then had a buddy check it over who knew more about circuits than I do. It works great and what made it better was I had some 1N4007 diodes that my brother left behind when he was doing this electrical and electronic engineering degree. Now waiting for me SMD 5050 LED bulbs to show up and replace everything in the car with it. Started with the mwiener2 post then used the ScottFW post to swap the wiring and finally the PeterJMC post to figure out the diode direction. Thanks all Edited January 13, 2014 by the kev master Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the kev master Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Was wondering has anyone tried wiring the trunk light to the dome light so the wagon can be fully lit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwiener2 Posted January 24, 2014 Author Share Posted January 24, 2014 The rear wagon light is already supposed to come on when the doors open. My Mods List (Updated 8/22/17) 2005 Outback FMT Running on Electrons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgt_nube Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I think the rear wagon light only comes on when you open the real lift gate. but it's too late to test that now... The rear wagon light is already supposed to come on when the doors open. A few photos of the LGT My current ride Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelven Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I think the rear wagon light only comes on when you open the real lift gate. but it's too late to test that now... Yes it is....it is on as long as the hatch is open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwiener2 Posted January 24, 2014 Author Share Posted January 24, 2014 I'm pretty sure it works with all the doors. It has a switch like the dome light.... On-Off-Door My Mods List (Updated 8/22/17) 2005 Outback FMT Running on Electrons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgt_nube Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I just checked my 2005 LGT Wagon and the rear hatch light doesn't come on when you open the driver's door (the roof light only comes on). When you open the rear hatch, both the rear hatch light and the roof light come on. A few photos of the LGT My current ride Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjo Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I'm pretty sure it works with all the doors. It has a switch like the dome light.... On-Off-Door My 05 OBXT, the trunk light only comes on when you open the hatch, regardless of the switch position it doesn't come on w/ other doors. Why I know? Because I've toyed w/ doing the same mod as I did w/ the front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwiener2 Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 I'm gonna have to go check mine now. It's obviously never bothered me. My Mods List (Updated 8/22/17) 2005 Outback FMT Running on Electrons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the kev master Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Mine only works when I open the trunk. I figured it'll be pretty cool if we could wire it up so you have the map, dome and trunk lights all turn on when you unlock the car or open the door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertEagle Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 Just did this mod today on my wife's car. I switched the wires in the connectors going to the map lights, which wasn't as bad as I thought (didn't take too long). Got everything put together, put the 20A fuse back in, then opened the door. Dome light came on, but no map light. "WTF" I thought to myself. Then I remembered reading on here that if they don't work, to switch around the LED festoon bulbs I had in there. Bang - it worked! Switching those wires must reverse something. My wife will love it. Thanks for everyone offering help, especially those who posted pics (I'm a visual learner). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyShackleford Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 ... switched the wires in the connectors going to the map lights ... Switching those wires must reverse something. Yes indeed. For anyone reading this, it's very important - prevents you from frying your BIU. To make matters more confusing, if the car were actually wired as shown in the schematic, the switch wouldn't be necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmarton Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 I did this hack years ago and it's worked flawlessly until recently. The map lights work when you press the button, but they don't come on with the dome light like they used to. I check all the fuses and connections. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesavo Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Does the oe dome light still come on? Do the maps work normally? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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