DIY: LED Back-lit Door Handles
06-29-09, 07:10 PM
#47
Lexus Test Driver
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You beat me to the DIY but I'll post my pix anyway on here
Door handle coming out
the door handle taken apart
I used 3mm White LEDs with a 1k 1/8 watt resistor soldered to the positive leg and heat shrinked it. I used a 7/64 drill bit and the 3mm LED fits tightly and will probably be water tight without silicone.
I tucked the wires into the circular thing that holds the magnetic inductor wires.
Reassembled Handle
Door handle coming out
the door handle taken apart
I used 3mm White LEDs with a 1k 1/8 watt resistor soldered to the positive leg and heat shrinked it. I used a 7/64 drill bit and the 3mm LED fits tightly and will probably be water tight without silicone.
I tucked the wires into the circular thing that holds the magnetic inductor wires.
Reassembled Handle
06-29-09, 07:14 PM
#48
I tapped the wires on the back side of the yellow connector so its light blue (+) and white (-) on the passenger and light blue and light green (-) on the Drivers side. I soldered, loomed, and used 3m electrical tape to try and make it as OEM looking as possible when I wrapped it all up.
I used a closed hanger to push the wires thru the grommet. TIP* tightly fold the hanger over the wires and push it thru then cut the hanger end so you can pull the hanger back out without catch wires.
Rear door harness
B Pillar wiring
Rear door lock actuator dropped to access the door handle screw. Make sure you get the door release to line up with the bar that pushes it. I messed up the first time and had to squeeze my hand into to the door to open because the child safety accidently got hit too.
Rear door handle end...its held by the screw and those lil clips.
I used a closed hanger to push the wires thru the grommet. TIP* tightly fold the hanger over the wires and push it thru then cut the hanger end so you can pull the hanger back out without catch wires.
Rear door harness
B Pillar wiring
Rear door lock actuator dropped to access the door handle screw. Make sure you get the door release to line up with the bar that pushes it. I messed up the first time and had to squeeze my hand into to the door to open because the child safety accidently got hit too.
Rear door handle end...its held by the screw and those lil clips.
06-29-09, 07:18 PM
#49
I am type A about my wiring work so I take more time soldering and making it clean and OEM looking.
06-29-09, 07:23 PM
#50
Pole Position
Thread Starter
very nice sinister!! I thinks it's a really cool mod lol I love mine! I'm glad u put those other pics on there cuz it was taking me too long to type my diy and it was like 430 in the morning so I kinda rushed thru the last of it so thanks!
same here with the wiring! that took the longest time. I thought mounting the LED would be the hardest but it was by far the easiest lol
how did it turn out tho? I thought mine turned out really good! post some pics!
same here with the wiring! that took the longest time. I thought mounting the LED would be the hardest but it was by far the easiest lol
how did it turn out tho? I thought mine turned out really good! post some pics!
06-29-09, 07:35 PM
#52
Mine came out good but one LED failed on my so I had to take it out and redo it. Its kind of spotty on the black because of the high reflectivity. I was expecting a more defused light spread but probably on lighter cars.
As for the front door wires. The wires thru the loom is pretty easy if you use a wire hanger. This was the second time I ran wires thru it, I did the inner door handle LED mod from the 3GS before.
I only ran the negative wire because I pulled the positive from the Illuminate Door Sill harness (only works for 07+). The system uses a negative trigger so thats the only wire you need from the front doors.
BTW the door handle screws are a T30 torx if you have those bits laying around.
As for the front door wires. The wires thru the loom is pretty easy if you use a wire hanger. This was the second time I ran wires thru it, I did the inner door handle LED mod from the 3GS before.
I only ran the negative wire because I pulled the positive from the Illuminate Door Sill harness (only works for 07+). The system uses a negative trigger so thats the only wire you need from the front doors.
BTW the door handle screws are a T30 torx if you have those bits laying around.
06-29-09, 07:40 PM
#53
Pole Position
Thread Starter
oh that sucks the LED failed! lol oh well tho...stuff happens
yeah I was hopin for more of a glow on my smokey granite but it still looks pretty sweet in my opinion
and it's still bright so I'm happy with that
yeah I was hopin for more of a glow on my smokey granite but it still looks pretty sweet in my opinion
and it's still bright so I'm happy with that
06-29-09, 07:50 PM
#54
Pole Position
Thread Starter
the reason I did tap into my door sills is cuz they don't illuminate lol and i'm not really familiar with negative and positive triggers... kinda confusing to me but I'm wanting to learn 
post some finished pics of ur handles lit up sinister! I'd like to see them
post some finished pics of ur handles lit up sinister! I'd like to see them
06-29-09, 08:02 PM
#55
Negative trigger means it turns the LEDs/puddle lights on with the negative wire. The positive side always has power but the dimming computer slowly brings the negative wire to zero to create a differential between the two wires to +12V.
All 07+ and 06 Luxury/Sport has the harness under the door sills even if you don't have the Illuminated Door Sill. One of those wires is positive.
Sorry for the iPhone Pix...dont have my camera
All 07+ and 06 Luxury/Sport has the harness under the door sills even if you don't have the Illuminated Door Sill. One of those wires is positive.
Sorry for the iPhone Pix...dont have my camera
06-29-09, 08:39 PM
#58
Pole Position
Thread Starter
yeah I can see how on a lighter color like white or silver it would be more of a glow cuz it's not as reflective as grey or black but it still looks good!!
