Courtesy Interior Dome Light Override

[EX331]

That's one major drawback of the interior. I found it annoying in my '11 Cruze 2LT that I had to reach back to turn the dome on/off, so I added the control into the front map lights. I used the front dome lamp from a Verano, and added backlit buttons and ambient lighting in the process. Now, it's just plain annoying I cannot defeat the dome lights up front, period. The middle dome lamp is just cheesy, anyway. I'm wondering if it's possible to swap it out with one that isn't fugazi.

 

[EX331]

Solution?

I took the test probe to the "middle" dome lamp and was able to devise the following.

We have three wires heading to the lamp.
• White/Brown - It's "always on" and lets you switch the dome light on
• Gray (blueish gray IMO)- Interior lamp control - Comes on with an open door
• Ground

The Cruze, which I used to own, was a 2011 model. It had the interior lamp control lead, and a ground, as well as two other leads, that our sonics do not have; "Interior Lamp Defeat Switch Signal" which I would presume sent a signal to the "computer" to turn the dome off. The other lead "Courtesy Lamp Switch Signal" did the opposite. Prior to discovering the Sonic lacked these two things, I thought that adding the appropriate part into the vehicle, and connecting the right wires we would be able to "defeat" the dome light once and for all.

In my attachment, you'll see the middle dome light removed and hanging. Unfortunately, the photo is sideways. The contact that is connected to the upper part of the bulb (closest to the wire connector) is only charged when the light is on, whether by open door or switched on. Ergo, if the dome is switched off there, that isn't charged and the light doesn't come on. My idea? What if we were to run a lead from that to pin #2 for the front dome lamp. Pin #2 being the "interior lamp control" lead up front. Theoretically, the front dome lamp's dome light function would then be at the mercy of that switch, and you could completely switch off the dome lights if you so desired.

 

[firstorbit84]

I found a solution for this! just don't turn the car off all the way. turn the key back 1 position and the engine will turn off but the dash will stay on and the interior overhead lights wont come on. may also need to manually turn off your headlights

problem solved. commence bestowing praise.

 

[Swordsmith]

Dash staying on defeats purpose of making dome lights not turn on. I guess it would be possible to fully dim dash, then use your suggestion. Will experiment, praise may or may not be forthcoming.

 

[EX331]

I'm talking about tapping into... wait for it...

Running a lead from that to the dome light up front.

 

[EX331]

Has anyone done any work with this lately?

 

[Eric Smit]

when you turn the car off for your derp session, don't take the key out of the ignition. just turn it all the way off and leave it there.

 

[JordanN]

If I hit the lock button an extra time on my remote, the lights often turn off.

 

[EX331]

I need to get my grubby little paws on a terminal release tool for the front map light harness, then I'll have the problem remedied.

 

[Bogus]

I just want a simple button that you push and it kills all the interior lights. I've been in other GM vehicles with this. I don't have the slightest clue on how to wire this myself though.

Example from GMC Envoy. Bottom left button.

 

[EX331]

Fixed it. With a slight tweak with the wiring overhead, the deed is done. I'm hoping to refine it a little bit and post the details soon.

 

[jabberwocky]

would love to see more on that. might want to adjust that camera focus, though. macro or back off a skosh.

 

[Stew]

would love to see more on that. might want to adjust that camera focus, though. macro or back off a skosh.

It's super simple, the rear dome light is controlled by a very basic SPDT switch which switches the +12v to the bulb. EX331 attached a wire to this switched 12v source and ran it up to the front dome light. So now the front dome light switches on and off with the rear dome light.

The down side? You can't do this with the Sonic's front dome light, you need to source one from a Buick Verano. The Buick dome light is an exact fit replacement but has an extra middle dome light which is separate from the map lights.

Tell you what, check out his DIY write up which explains everything in great detail. I did this to my Sonic and even with a sunroof it is a worthwhile mod.

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/for...nt-light-install-dome-light-modification.html

 

[bandita52]

What's the bulb size for the lights next to the rear view mirror. Looking to go with a full led lighting foe the interior.

 

[jabberwocky]

What's the bulb size for the lights next to the rear view mirror. Looking to go with a full led lighting foe the interior.

they're W5W or T10, i believe. "wedge" base lamps.

 

[jabberwocky]

It's super simple, the rear dome light is controlled by a very basic SPDT switch which switches the +12v to the bulb. EX331 attached a wire to this switched 12v source and ran it up to the front dome light. So now the front dome light switches on and off with the rear dome light.

The down side? You can't do this with the Sonic's front dome light, you need to source one from a Buick Verano. The Buick dome light is an exact fit replacement but has an extra middle dome light which is separate from the map lights.

Tell you what, check out his DIY write up which explains everything in great detail. I did this to my Sonic and even with a sunroof it is a worthwhile mod.

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/for...nt-light-install-dome-light-modification.html

so, no troubles w/the sunroof factor? have any photos of your handiwork? appreciate the DIY...but doesn't anyone look @ their blurry photos before posting?

 

[Stew]

so, no troubles w/the sunroof factor? have any photos of your handiwork? appreciate the DIY...but doesn't anyone look @ their blurry photos before posting?

The sunroof wasn't a problem other than perhaps making it take a little longer since you have to route wires more carefully. I took a few pictures but hadn't posted them because they didn't show the super awesome detail I thought they would.

In some of the pics you can see wire taps, I ended up not using these and took them out because you really do have to add a wire at the rear dome location where it is switched by the physical switch in the dome light. If you want to check out the rear dome light in better detail just pop it out and have a gander, it comes out real easy.

Hopefully you can see some stuff which might be helpful, but they are mostly random pictures that don't show much which is why I didn't post them earlier.

 

[SmoothSonic]

These mod instructions are helpful. I just want to add that I have the 2014 model and GM still hasn't made a change to the courtesy lights design/function. They still function the way they've always had since the start of this topic

 

[mowcowbell]

Maybe I missed it in one of the posts in this thread... but at least on my '13 Sonic LTZ all I have to do is turn off the ignition but leave the key in the ignition to keep the interior lights from coming on. They only come on when I remove the key.

Seems like a lot of work to rig up a switch when there is a solution that only requires you to leave the key in the ignition until you are ready to exit the vehicle.

Darin