I've got a 2001 4Runner Limited 4WD and am tinkering with some of the interior lighting. I want to build a new control box that will cause all the interior lights (map, front dome and rear dome) to come on when the factory alarm is disarmed, or any of the doors are open. I also plan to incorporate a delayed off circuit so they will stay on for a time after the last door is closed. In order to do this, I'd like to have a more detailed schematic of the combination meter in order to know exactly what I'm interfacing to. I've downloaded the factory wiring .pdf's, but it only shows the external wiring connections. Does anyone have something with more detail, or maybe someone else has already tinkered with this?

 

Funny, I am in the process of doing exactly the same thing. I have LED footwell lighting and am working on the circuits for LED rocklighting, all of which will illuminate for 30 seconds after unlocking the doors.

The wire you need is the lightgreen-black ground wire from the dome. Putting this wire to ground will activate the interior lighting. Of course, to get all the dome lights to come on, you'll need to tie their grounds together.

 

I'm planning on building the controller from scratch so I can incorporate everything into one package. I know that all the door switches connect to the combination meter, and the dome lights are fed from there. I suppose I could just intercept the dome light outputs and connect them to the new controller and let it do most of the work. Maybe someone has a schematic? Push comes to shove, I can take the instrument panel out and trace things out. It may be nothing but some interconnected wires inside for all I know.

 

Try the attached file.

 

Thanks, but I actually have already downloaded that diagram. What I'm trying to find is an actual schematic of the internals of the combination meter. It might be unobtainium, but I hope not.

 

Toyota doesn't hold the internal schematics of any combo meter as they are all made by outside suppliers. I actually work for Toyota and I have never seem one (for a model that new) in my life.

 

Hmmm, that certainly makes sense. Looks like I may have to do a little exploratory surgery! Thanks for the insight!