The following will show how to install a 2-button Dome Light (dome + 2 map lights) in a 99-up Silverado/Sierra. This is useful for those who wish to purchase JUST the dome light without spending more on a kit with instructions. FYI, I purchased the light brand new off of eBay for $19 shipped. I don’t know the dealer part #s off hand, perhaps someone can post them if they know (available in gray, tan, and shale).
Note: Installation on ’00 Silverado with short overhead console; long overhead console removal may/is different, please be careful.
1. Remove Factory Dome Light:
- Lower lens by prying with screwdriver in notch on driver’s side (see #1,2)
- Pull dome light out by prying/pulling down on passenger side. (see #3- pull on side opposite hand; side with lens hanging)
- Unplug dome light and store away for now.
- Allow plug to hang for now, we’ll come back to it later.
Note: the 2 wires (orange & white) and their location within the factory plug
2. Remove Front Overhead Console (again, this is procedure for short console shown in pictures)
- Remove screw at front above rear view mirror
- Using a panel popper/screwdriver/or hands, pull the console down releasing clips. Note: location of the clips
- Remove plug from back of console and set console on the side.
Note: colors of wire (orange & black) and their location in the plug.
3. Using a coat hanger/welding rod/slim jim/etc., run two wires from the dome light opening to the console opening. Speaker wire works well for this (“one” wire to pull) as long as you use a sufficient gauge. Leave yourself extra on both ends in case you mess up your crimps.
4. Make connections at overhead console:
- Using butt connectors (see picture) OR wire taps, splice the new wires (from Step 3) to the orange and black wires. If using wire taps, MAKE SURE a good connection is made; factory wires are thin and sometimes the taps don’t cut thru the insulation.
- It doesn’t matter which wire you splice it to, or what color, AS LONG as you remember which went where. It’s only 2 wires, so it shouldn’t be too hard to keep track of.
Note: In the picture, I spliced the black wire -> gold wire (which will splice to the orange wire on the dome light); and the orange wire - > blue wire (which will splice to the black wire at the dome light).
5. Make Connections at Dome Light:
- CAP off the ORIGINAL ORANGE wire that went to your stock dome light (see picture)
- Connect the ORIGINAL WHITE wire -> GRAY wire on PLUG. (if your plug has different color wires, compare it to location in picture; ex: gray wire goes to furthest right wire when looking at the plug from the rear, with the rib facing up).
- Connect the BLACK wire from PLUG -> wire you spliced to ORANGE wire at CONSOLE. (See picture)
- Connect the ORANGE wire from PLUG -> wire you spliced to BLACK wire at CONSOLE. (See picture)
6. Plug in the new dome light
- TEST IT OUT BEFORE GOING ANY FURTHER.
- To test:
- Open door (so that dome light goes on)
- Make sure center bulb ONLY lights; make sure it turns off when “dome override” switch is pushed.
- Turn on both map lights. Make sure they light when “dome override” is engaged AND disengaged.
NOTE: If you notice that any of the bulbs are backfeeding (map lights go on when dome light goes on; dome light goes on when map lights are pushed, etc.) you have wired it wrong. Stop and check all of your connections.
7. Assuming everything works, minor trimming of your headliner is required for your new dome light to fit properly.
*TAKE YOUR TIME*…it’s better to trim too little then too much.
- Remove dome light trim ring from the housing (gray part from the beige part in the above picture)
- Hold the trim ring up to the existing hole and use it as a template for where you will need to start cutting. Make sure you center it.
- *MAKE SURE YOU TUCK YOUR WIRES AWAY SO THEY CANNOT BE CUT*
- Using a razor blade/xacto knife/scissors/etc. begin to slowly trim away material. Again, take your time and test fit frequently.
- After the trim ring fits correctly, reassemble the dome light and test fit it. You will most likely need to remove more material for it to fit right.
- Make sure that you remove enough material so that the headliner doesn’t interfere with the switches (they will bind if the headliner is up against them).
- Install the new and improved dome light.
YOU'RE DONE!
Some pics of the finished product:
Hope this helps. Aloha, -Unknown808
This should be added to FSC-U
Re: 2-Button Domelight Installation
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