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1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis Econolines. E150, E250, E350, E450 and E550

Door "splash" lights?

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Old Oct 14, 2025 | 10:42 PM
  #1  
Grumpy Traveller's Avatar
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Door "splash" lights?

Can't find an answer to this, and I have searched the forum. Did the E-series van (specifically 1998) have downward facing lights in the doors that would illuminate as part of the dome light/interior lights circuit? None of my doors appear to have this feature, and it was a Starcraft conversion van so I can't imagine them not installing it if Ford didn't OEM it.

Dumb question, but before I dig into trying to translate the wiring harness docs, just need to see if there should be something or if I need to search for aftermarket options.

Grumpy
 
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Old Oct 15, 2025 | 11:10 AM
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No, 1999 Econoline did not have puddle lights. I have not seen them on any Econoline but I have little experience with anything after 2005.
 
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Old Oct 15, 2025 | 06:10 PM
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No front door puddle lights in our 2007 XLT and there's nothing in the 2007 EVTM.

There are lights in the interior step area of the side doorway in our passenger van. Our van is a commuter/vanpool conversion so those lights might have been added later.

Sixto
07 E350 5.4 200k miles
 
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Old Oct 15, 2025 | 07:29 PM
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I believe that, on most vehicles, the door switches switch the ground lead to the interior lamps.

On the 1998 Econoline, the switches switch the hot leg.

Wiring diagrams attached.

Note the diagrams are page 002 & 003 as page 001 is for the cutaway.



 
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Old Oct 15, 2025 | 09:52 PM
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It looks like the door switches close when the door is open. You can fit puddle lights powered by the 'switched' side and grounded in the door as long as that doesn't bother the illuminated entry circuit. Puddle lights wired that way won't benefit from the time delay and time cutoff logic in the illuminated entry circuit. You'll have to tap a dome light for those feature.

Sixto
07 E350 5.4 200k miles
 
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