I really liked the idea of red LED maplights, as Dugless did in this thread, but wanted them further toward the back of the car, and with a switch overhead rather than down on the dash. So if you're interested, here's step by step instructions on how to do it.

 

What you'll need to do this job:

• Phillips head screwdriver
• Drill and 15/64 inch drill bit
• Wire strippers (or just a pocket knife, if you know how to strip wire with it )
• A soldering iron and some electrical solder
• Some automotive-compatible LEDs, your choice of color (I went with red to match the rest of the dash lights). You can find the ones I used at Auto Zone, in the bulb section. They are made by "Pilot" and are labeled "L.E.D. Accent Lights" and come 3 to a pack.

 

Step 1: Step 1: Remove the overhead console, as shown in this thread.

Step 2: Once the overhead console is out and where you can work on it, flip it upside down, and gently release the black plastic piece that makes up the bulk of the underside of the console. Note that the "door/off" switch between the two map light switches has a spring loaded ball bearing loose and designed to ride up against the frame of the console. Take care not to lost this spring or ball, as they may pop out as you pop the black plastic piece out of the console.

This first pic below shows black plastic backing released (note it will not remove completely due to the maplight switch wires), and I am indicating the hole where the spring and ball bearing live in the "door/off" switch.

 

This pic shows the spring and ball bearing.

 

Step 3: Determine where you want the LED map lights to be in the overhead console, and drill a 15/64 inch hole for each one. I decided I wanted them as far toward the rear of the car as possible, so I put them next to the maplight switches.

Step 4: Put the LEDs in place (with the wires coming out the back of the console, not shown).

 

Step 5: Thread the wires through a convienant hole in the black plastic piece. Put the spring back in the hole on the side of the "door/off" switch and the ball bearing on top of it, compress it back into the hole with your thumb, and snap the black plastic piece completely back in place.

In the pic below, you can see the red/black wires on the left and right side of the black plastic piece. You may also note that the circuit board for the sunroof switches is removed, but that was for a different project to light the sunroof switches, explained in this thread. You don't need to remove this circuit board to for the LED maplight project I'm describing here.

 

Step 6: Strip some insulation from both of the RED LED wires and twist them together. Connect these two wires to one of the poles on a SPST (single pole, single throw) switch of your choosing. I suggest you solder it in place.

Step 7: Take about 12 inches of loose wire and strip about 3/4 of an inch of insulation from both ends. Connect one end of this loose wire to the other pole on your switch. I suggest you solder this connection in place too.

Step 8: Locate the screw connecting the small green circuit board that has a metal loop/connector underneath it. Wrap the other other end of the loose wire (stripped in step 7) to this screw. You have just connected your LEDs to +12 Volt power that is only live when the ignition switch is on. The SPST switch you just wired in is to switch your LEDs on and off.

 

Step 9: Strip about an inch of wire from both of the BLACK wires coming from your LEDs, and twist them together. The don't connect to anything just yet.

If all went well in steps 6, 7, 8, and 9, your wiring will look something like this:

 

Step 10: Take the console assembly back into the car. Look up inside the hole where the console was in your car, and you'll see two bolts with 9MM heads. Remove one of the bolts, wrap the stripped portion of the black LED wires around it, and put it back in place. You just gave your LED map lights a good ground. Sorry I didn't take a pic of this, but you'll figure it out.

Step 11: Determine where you want your LED maplight switch, drill a hole for it, and put it in place. I put mine just forward of the leading edge of the overhead console, into the headliner between the console and the rear view mirror. Pic of this is below.

Step 12: Put the console back in place opposite how you took it out, tucking the excess LED switch wires and ground wires in and out of the way as you put the console back. That's it guys and gals! You now have a pair of LED maplights that you can switch on whenever your ingnition key is in the "on" position.


Footnote: In case you're wondering, the extra wires you may have noticed in the pics are actually for an LED that backlights the sunroof switches, which I installed at the same time. If you're interested in how I did this, check out this thread for instructions. :D

 

Take a picture of them turned on!

 

I will, probably tomorrow. Wife's got the car right now.

 

We need PIX, MAN! :D :D

 

Ok, here's a pic showing the LEDs illuminated. The OLD switch for them is at the bottom center of the screen, which I replaced with a better one on page 2 of this thread.

 

... and here's a pic of them with no flash...

 

nice job

I was thinking about doing something similar but using the switch for the Euro rear foglight to turn on/off the lights. That would require a bunch of extra wire running though.

You don't think its possible to use one of the homelink buttons to turn the light on/off? I believe they are only momentary switches, not sure if you can modify the switch or hook it up to a relay or something. I never was ambitious enough to take the upper console apart and look at it.