Side Mirror LED Puddle Lights - DIY

I have a co-worker that drives a new (Ford explorer ) and I really liked the lights under the side mirrors - puddle lights. So I had to find a way to install something similar and the fun begins...
The only puddle lights I could find online were too big and custom fit. While searching online I found "eagle eye" LED lights, which for size were perfect. ***Before you read any further, please understand this is risky as the side mirrors are not easy to take apart, running wires from the mirrors is a pain and these LED lights are not easily changed if they stop working. I found out even if they say waterproof - their not for long. Water got inside the lens and I had to change them out. This time I added silicone around the lens in the small groove and hopefully they will last much longer. In the end was it worth it?? For me... YES.



When doing the Homelink mod (Thanks to this site) I ran a wire from the map lights down to the lower left side of the dash. I felt this was a good option as the map lights come on when the car is unlocked and delay off / fade when the car is locked. I first removed the side mirrors to install the LED lights and install a long wire that can be run inside the car once the mirror assembly is re-installed. - have to remove the inner door panels, side mirrors and door speakers - also, disassemble the side mirror assembly / housing:

Instructions to take apart the side mirror can be found online:




Decided where to drill the hole on the underside of the side mirrors, in order to fit these lights.


Lower right circle in pencil


Run LED light wires into the drilled hole and tighten in place with the included nut.




Connect, solder and heat shrink the LED light wires to a longer 2-conductor cable that can reach under the dash, passenger side must be longer if wiring / connecting under the drivers side!


The 2-conductor cable must be run with the OEM harness to get the cable out (Bit of a pain).



Reinstall the side mirror with the new cable (cable on left side in the pic) - had to re-tape by the door.


The wire gets run from the side mirror, down the OEM harness, behind the speaker, out through the rubber boot and under the dash. It's important the wire is tied well as the window moves very close when lowered!



Remove speaker:


Cable run from left to right in order to follow back up to the rubber boot.


Running cable inside the car through the rubber boot.


Once inside the car - I connected the 2-conductor cable from each mirror to the map light wire I ran earlier.

And voila (Set the parking break on so the DRLs would stay off for the pics)

Nice write up.

Thats pretty cool, great job.

This looks nice, but I rather them be under the door. I remember seeing a car with one and it helps to keep the elements out and has the light closer to your entry/exit.

Wongtony8 said:

This looks nice, but I rather them be under the door. I remember seeing a car with one and it helps to keep the elements out and has the light closer to your entry/exit.

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Thanks for the feedback, I thought about that but I really wanted the illumination when you unlock your car, so as illuminated all around when you’re walking to it. I assume your reference is to install lights in the underside of the plastic door panel keeping the elements out. This would only work when you open the door. These led lights are extremely bright, the picture does not show this very well. My coworker laughed when he parked beside me and got out as he said now he can see down the side of our cars

Cool!

What are they hooked up to? They only come on when you unlock the car? When do they go off?

Wongtony8 said:

This looks nice, but I rather them be under the door. I remember seeing a car with one and it helps to keep the elements out and has the light closer to your entry/exit.

Click to expand...

Our Outback has the lights in the bottom of the door, but this is a better idea!

Justin G said:

What are they hooked up to? They only come on when you unlock the car? When do they go off?

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When installing the homelink module, I ran a wire from the map lights on the overhead console down under the dash / steering wheel. The map lights have two ground signals - One when you press the mechanical switch (light itself) and another when you unlock the car - using the remote or placing your hand behind the handle. If your already in the car, the map lights also turn on when you turn off the engine / open the door. Once you step out and close the door, the map lights delay off shortly after - thus the puddle lights do the same. Hope this helps, I'll try to make a quick video and post a link.

Wongtony8 said:

This looks nice, but I rather them be under the door. I remember seeing a car with one and it helps to keep the elements out and has the light closer to your entry/exit.

Click to expand...

Mine?

kered424 said:

Mine?

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Yes! Those look nice. I thought about getting the Honda logo projected, but they look kinda tacky in pictures.

That's awesome!