huesmann

I wanna rig LED lights into my door reflectors to come on when the doors are ajar. Where is the "door ajar" switch located on each door, and/or what's the best way to wire such lights?

huesmann

So it looks like I gotta pop the panel off to access the switch. To power lights can I just tap off the GRY/BLK wire?

Vetteman Jack

Thanks for the info.

dadaroo

No, That would be power all the time. You need to pick up the LED power from the other side of the switch, the Black wire.

It will not be 12 volts based on the resistor shown in the BCM.

You can test the LED for brightness by using the GRY/BLK wire before you do the final install.


Mr. Sam

huesmann

Thanks gents.

Mr. Sam, are you indicating it will be less than 12V?

dadaroo

Yep, just not sure how much. Look at the BCM, it shows 12 volts and then a resistor (jagged line) feeding the GRY/BLK wire.

LEDs can be bright with even 5 volts. Don't over do the lights, the C5 is not designed with adding things to circuits except where they provide that feature in the I/P foot well.

Your "fuse" for the circuit is the BCM.


Mr.Sam

huesmann

Would it be better to pull a wire through the rubber door accordion jamb tube (is that pretty easy?) and hook the door reflector lights up to the footwell light connector?

dadaroo

Was not trying to scare you (just inform) but I didn't know how many LEDs were going in. My guess is the voltage will just be about 5 volts as it is really just a "signal". The BCM is just detecting a change in the circuit voltage as the switch is grounded.

You might have to use a lower voltage LED rather than a 12 volt.

I don't think one LED will adversely affect the BCM and it should not affect the signal so that it defeats the Door Ajar function.

You could use your alternative but if you are just putting in one LED I don't think you need to do that. Routing the wire at the door would be easy with some difficulty fishing it behind the console for the driver side door.

If you don't get the effect you want using one LED and the latch circuit then go with your alternative.



Mr. Sam

SilverC54me

This is the best way to do what you want.
There is plenty of space in the accordion tube to run a 2 conductor 16 or 18 gouge wire. The footwell lights, the orange wire is 12v and the black ground.

I have done this on 2 C5's.

Gary

dadaroo

Gary's method will clearly give you better lighting and there will be no added current on the BCM.

If I were doing this I would use a coat hanger to push it behind the console and then pull the wire back thru. Just disconnect the battery so you don't accidently do something to short a circuit. Should not happen but better safe than sorry.


Mr. Sam

GCG

No, that won't work. As 8VETTE7 mentioned, Gry/Blk provides signal to BCM and Blk is ground. When door is opened signal goes from "1" (switch open) to "0" (switch closed).

The door ajar signal voltage is "inverted" for your intended purpose and in addition to that, you would need to make sure its level doesn't fall below the threshold where the BCM might think the door is open when it is actually not.

The simplest solution would be what Gary suggested and tap into the footwell lights.