Does anyone know if there is a permanent power source going to the red control box in the front door? This red control box seems to control the puddle lights and seeing as puddle lights operate when car is off too then I am assuming there should be some sort of contact power available there right?

 

If you got access to the red control box, you can use a multimeter to test for 12v. If the puddle lights gets power from there, it would make sense; but I think the puddle lights are powered else where.