Courtesy light. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

custom10nut · 05-31-2016, 05:39 PM

Today, I scored a courtesy light, with the two map lights, from a 95 Chevy pickup. Just eyeballing it, I think it should fit in the stock space. Has anyone else put one of these in their truck? What does it take to run power to it, so that it will only come on when I open the door, but the map lights to work hen needed? I have a complete under dash courtesy light set up, complete with the door switches. The thing I wonder is how to power the dome light separate from the map lights? I haven't mocked it up on the bench yet, so I'm just throwing questions out there for the gurus.

88Ironduke · 05-31-2016, 06:32 PM

I'm pretty certain that you need to separate the ground locations for the lights. They are wired with power all the time and only come on when the appropriate ground source is enabled (IE the door switch or the head light switch being rotated). I can't say for certain but my suspicion is the map lights ground thru the housing they are mounted in which then screws into the sheet metal of the cab. The over head courtesy light grounds thru the door switch or headlight switch when rotated or the door is opened. The orange wire is hot 12v and the white wire is the ground/switch leg.

The electric gurus should chime in soon.

Paul

custom10nut · 05-31-2016, 09:23 PM

Thanks for the info, and you're right, the map lights do ground at the mounting screw. I'm not a genius when it comes to electrical, but I'm pretty good at following directions. I'm going to be putting my door activated courtesy lights in an will be hooking it all up at once. Any more insight is welcomed.

**special-K** · 05-31-2016, 11:49 PM

Add separate switches and wire separately?

custom10nut · 06-01-2016, 12:10 AM

Good idea. It would be nice to have the dome light come on with the other courtesy lights and map lights when needed.

Andy4639 · 06-01-2016, 06:45 PM

As stated the lights work off a ground switch. Both sets of light's need 12 volts ran hot all the time then run ground wire back to one side are the other door switches for the dome light to be activated. The map lights will be switched on/off when you flip the switches for them.

12 volts from fuse panel to dome light then jump it over to both map lights.
Then from the other dome light wire run it to your door switch for the ground.
Then run the map lights through their switches and ground to body of truck.

custom10nut · 06-01-2016, 09:27 PM

Thanks Andy! This is exactly what I need. Electrical wiring fo dummies.

05-31-2016, 05:39 PM	#1
custom10nut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: East Tn (In the heart of the Smoky Mtns) Posts: 1,859	Courtesy light. Today, I scored a courtesy light, with the two map lights, from a 95 Chevy pickup. Just eyeballing it, I think it should fit in the stock space. Has anyone else put one of these in their truck? What does it take to run power to it, so that it will only come on when I open the door, but the map lights to work hen needed? I have a complete under dash courtesy light set up, complete with the door switches. The thing I wonder is how to power the dome light separate from the map lights? I haven't mocked it up on the bench yet, so I'm just throwing questions out there for the gurus.

05-31-2016, 06:32 PM	#2
88Ironduke Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Willingboro, NJ Posts: 489	Re: Courtesy light. I'm pretty certain that you need to separate the ground locations for the lights. They are wired with power all the time and only come on when the appropriate ground source is enabled (IE the door switch or the head light switch being rotated). I can't say for certain but my suspicion is the map lights ground thru the housing they are mounted in which then screws into the sheet metal of the cab. The over head courtesy light grounds thru the door switch or headlight switch when rotated or the door is opened. The orange wire is hot 12v and the white wire is the ground/switch leg. The electric gurus should chime in soon. Paul __________________ Retired USAF - No rockets, no mortars, no bad guys shooting...No stress!!! My Build Thread: Project 72' Green http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=587932

05-31-2016, 09:23 PM	#3
custom10nut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: East Tn (In the heart of the Smoky Mtns) Posts: 1,859	Re: Courtesy light. Thanks for the info, and you're right, the map lights do ground at the mounting screw. I'm not a genius when it comes to electrical, but I'm pretty good at following directions. I'm going to be putting my door activated courtesy lights in an will be hooking it all up at once. Any more insight is welcomed.

05-31-2016, 11:49 PM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: Courtesy light. Add separate switches and wire separately? __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

06-01-2016, 12:10 AM	#5
custom10nut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: East Tn (In the heart of the Smoky Mtns) Posts: 1,859	Re: Courtesy light. Good idea. It would be nice to have the dome light come on with the other courtesy lights and map lights when needed.

06-01-2016, 06:45 PM	#6
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Courtesy light. As stated the lights work off a ground switch. Both sets of light's need 12 volts ran hot all the time then run ground wire back to one side are the other door switches for the dome light to be activated. The map lights will be switched on/off when you flip the switches for them. 12 volts from fuse panel to dome light then jump it over to both map lights. Then from the other dome light wire run it to your door switch for the ground. Then run the map lights through their switches and ground to body of truck. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. Last edited by Andy4639; 06-01-2016 at 06:54 PM.

06-01-2016, 09:27 PM	#7
custom10nut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: East Tn (In the heart of the Smoky Mtns) Posts: 1,859	Re: Courtesy light. Thanks Andy! This is exactly what I need. Electrical wiring fo dummies.



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