I am going to be installing puddle lights to light up my step bars and I am looking to find out which wire to tie into? I was going to tie into the dome light circuit (blk/blue) so they would come on with keyless entry door unlock, but my dome light won't come on. So I either have to figure that out or go to plan B and find a difference source. Has anyone else added lights down there and found another way to power these? I don't know if extended cabs ever had the option for lighted running boards, maybe there is a dedicated wire somewhere? I don't want them on all the time, only when the truck is unlocked to light the step.

 

Try this on for size.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-time-out.html

 

Thanks! I had read through that previously, most of those guys are running 11+ and have plugs/witing under the truck to tie into. I don't have that and for whatever reason my dome lights work every way except when I unlock the door with the remote, otherwise I would simply tie into domelight.

 

Cargo light come on with remote unlock?

 

No dome light or cargo light with remote unlock. They both work with the door open, both work with dash switch, and both work on remote lock (dim after 30 seconds or so). I can't figure out why they won't come on with unlock. I thought maybe it is a programming thing, a certain sequence of key turns or something like that or within the drivers info center options... Haven't figured it out. I didn't really pay any attention to it until I decided on this project and that seems to be the most logical place to tie in. Also, because my exterior lights come on it never really crossed my mind.

 

when you say your exterior lights come on what do you mean? Do you mean the headlights? I just looked up the users manual for your truck and it is saying it is suppose to work like mine (2005) does (did) where the dome lights are suppose to come on with unlock and instant off with lock (via remote) The only reason mine don't is because I am using an aftermarket remote/alarm/starter and haven't figured out how to get it to control the factory alarm system yet.

 

Well I figured out today it has something to do with the aftermarket system as you suggest. I took my ford remotes out and unlocked and the dome light comes on! Unfortunately, I can't use it though because the alarm will sound as soon as I open the door. I am going to talk to the guys that did the alarm and see what the deal is, I suspect it has something to do with dome light supervision?? Just from reading around.
I am happy with how the alarm operates and The dome light thing really wouldn't be a big deal if I could figure out some other easy way to have the step lights illuminate on 'unlock'.

Ace, When I say outside lights come on I mean parking lights (corners, mirrors, clearance lights). I think those are programmable somehow I remember seeing in the manual. I believe the same is true for the dome light when locking (you can pick a stay lit time up to 3 minutes).

 

Well if you have an aftermarket alarm it is what is controlling the external lights, as does mine, That has nothing to do with the factory system.

When you talk to the guys that did your alarm if they know of a way to get the a/m to control the factory system try and get out of the how it's done, I am dieing to find that out so I can set mine up like that. (as mentioned in my "sig-link")

The only timed lights I know of is the duration for the Automatic Headlights, Not the interior; only timer I know of for the interior is the 30 min (or something) timeout when a door is left open or something.

 

It seems like mine is setup just like yours. I can use the factory remotes to unlock the truck but as soon as I open the door the alarm will go off. I can also use the door keypad, bit the alarm will go off. I was pretty unhappy with the guys who put it on because my only request was to keep factory remotes and settings and they assured me that thats how it would be then when it was all done they gave me the new remotes and said sorry couldn't do it that way. Anyways, overall the alarm system has been fine and I hadn't even considered the dome light not coming on until I decided to venture into this lighting project.

 

I'm basically in the same boat. I wanted to keep the factory remotes/keypad usable but when I installed the alarm/starter it wouldn't let the factory stuff work it anymore without setting off the alarm; As soon as the factory buttons unlock the truck which turns on the dome lights the alarm starts blaring. Otherwise, the alarm/starter seems to be working fine. However when I put it in pit stop mode and take the keys out all the accessories shut off then come back on sometime afterwords, I don't get that.

On a semi-unrelated note, I had a shop ("pros") do an install on my 99 F150 a couple years back, when I told them I only had 1 key programmed and another just cut i was told I'd be fine, 3 days later, i think it was, they called me and said I have to go to the ford dealer had have the second key programmed so they could do the Bypass module. Then a couple years back I had to fix the shift tube issue and discovered a rats nest of wires under the dash, no sense of cable management.... humf, Pros....

Maybe, Just maybe if you know what alarm/starter system you have and look up it's wiring info Maybe you can program a wire from it that will be hot (or ground) on disarm for x amount of time? then use that to control the led strips??

 

http://www.caralarm.com/manuals-inst...timate-edp.pdf

That is what I have. It all seem a bit foreign to me.

I think this has to be a simple fix. Will drop by the alarm place and see what they say.

 

Hey Trophy, Did you ever figure this out? I was putzing around here and came across my PMs and reminded me of this thread.

 

No I haven't, truck is in for studs and egr delete, so more important stuff at the moment. I will get to it eventually.