Map Light Rearview Mirror Mod

[transatlantic0207]

Hey guys,
I am new to the ford forums (just signed up on focus fanatics also) but not to forums in general. I am cognizant of forum 'etiquette' and I did search but I couldn't really come up with the help I was looking for.I am posting in here because my mother has a 2003 ford focus zx3 and I am trying to to a little mod for her. I am a general car guy though I do have a bias to bmw. Well, the older ones! I drive an e30 1987 325is. I will formally introduce myself soon. I hope no one is offended by me being a beemer guy posting about a car that's not even mine


I do respect ford though, I watched colin mcrae and matti ratanan tear it up in the focus....anyway on to the question...


I have a maplight rearviewmirror from a 1990 mustang that i'd like to install in place of the non-lighted rearview that came stock on her car..
Could anyone direct me in the least invasive way on the focus to access the three (3) necessary wires for power? I have three wires coming from the maplight rearview: 1) Black 2) Black w. Blue stripe 3) Green w. Yellow stripe
Thank you in advance

[gilliam]

use a screwdriver into the front edge of the dome/maplight housing. theres only 3 wires there. i forget which wire is what but a multimeter wouldnt hurt.
i used to have my previous radar detector hooked up to the always-on power in there(the +12V to the map lamps).

[transatlantic0207]

what color was the 'always on' wire?

[CaysE]

Is it a requirement to use the Mustang rear-view mirror? Map lights are available on the Focus:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=110443587477

[transatlantic0207]

not really, either way I'll have to tap into some wires since it didn't come stock...I just happen to have a mustang map light mirror in my possession

[2focusd]

Actually the one that CaysE linked you to will plug right in with the factory harness no problem

-Brian

[transatlantic0207]

that is not what I wanted though, my mother's car has that already installed.

I have a rearview mirror with the lights integrated that I want to put in the place of the stock rearview mirror that doesn't have the lights integrated

ninja edit: i specifically mentioned in the OP that I am referring to the rearview mirror

[CaysE]

I guess I'm confused... why would you change the rearview mirror if your mother's Focus already has map lights?

The map lights are the two outside switches:


If your mother's car only has the one center toggle switch without map lights like this:

then you can buy the one with map lights (in my ebay link above), and it swaps right in. There's no need to change the rearview mirror or run any wiring. FYI: the Ebay link says 2003-2007, but it will work on 2000-2002 Focuses as well.

[transatlantic0207]

all I want to do is wire up the lighted rear view mirror....yes i know there are lights already there but they are not on the rearview mirror.

There is no benefit to doing it, I just would like to do it. My mother doesn't mind as long as I don't destroy the interior of her car. Hence, the reason I asked for the least invasive way to run power to the rearview mirror

ninja edit: The mirror is actually longer than the stock focus mirror, so there is a slight safety benefit

[CaysE]

Seems like a waste of time to me, but more power to you. Tap into the existing map light wiring then.

[transatlantic0207]

I have some time on my hands I was laid off a week and a half ago

Yeah I removed some of the panels last night, to get an idea of which power source to use. I was debating on the existing maplight or the sunroof, so you recommend the existing maplight? Would you happen to know the wiring scheme of the maplights?

I have three wires coming from the mirror, I am assuming bridged power wires to each bulb & a general ground?

[transatlantic0207]

Originally Posted by gilliam

use a screwdriver into the front edge of the dome/maplight housing. theres only 3 wires there. i forget which wire is what but a multimeter wouldnt hurt.
i used to have my previous radar detector hooked up to the always-on power in there(the +12V to the map lamps).

I didn't even pick up on your post, thanks man....I did that last night. I just am not too sure which wire is which...no recollection on how you wired your radar?

[LornesBored]

hey,

I am into older german cars as well. I just ripped apart a 87' e30 325is just like yours, drilled out and removed the rocker panel and the fender was rusted to **** and did a big rust patch to the a pillar behind the wheel, good times. a million bolts and annoyances just to get the fender off though.. =/

[transatlantic0207]

Yeah they're labor intensive but very well engineered and easy to work on. It's a throwback to when they cared about performance over luxury.

I installed it! It looks great....I'll try to get some pictures up soon.
Do I need a certain number of posts before I post pics?

[zach92r]

Black is your hot black w/blue is your return and green w/yellow is the ground. Atleast in most electrical ive done, ie house, commercial, industrial is that way. If theres only 2 wires then id run a wire from a protuding metal object thats near the other wires to the lights ground wiring it'll keep the light from blowing bulbs.

[LornesBored]

nope, just post em up!