I am putting (flush) door handles from a '92 or '93 Chrylsler LSH, in my '48. The keyholes have lights in them , the center where you put the key in , moves in a little. How do they work ? Does the center ring turn them on ? How do they stay on when you put the key in ? How long does it stay on ? Is it just a 'hot' wire going to them ?......thanks
Are you really good with vehical electrics? The "Thing" that turns on the lights in the key holes on the LHS is connected into a central contoller that looks after "Key Hole" lights, Dome lights, Interior lights, Dash lights, Key light, etc. In other words, there is a small "controller box" that looks after all of these functions! When you start to insert the key, it turns the LED on inside of the door tumbler. Once you open the door, it keeps the dome and floor lights on for ten to twelve seconds or until you start the motor and then it switches off the lights, etc. I don't know enough about how the Dodge system works to know if you can seperate each of these functions from each other, or if they all have to work together. If you talk to someone who knows this system in detail, they could tell you if you can get one part of it to work without any of the rest being involved. You may want to make all of this to be incorporated into your "48" to make it that much "cooler" with your freinds! think about it and decide what you want to do! Just my opinion, Wetfaliaguy!
Are you really good with vehical electrics? The "Thing" that turns on the lights in the key holes on the LHS is connected into a central contoller that looks after "Key Hole" lights, Dome lights, Interior lights, Dash lights, Key light, etc. In other words, there is a small "controller box" that looks after all of these functions! When you start to insert the key, it turns the LED on inside of the door tumbler. Once you open the door, it keeps the dome and floor lights on for ten to twelve seconds or until you start the motor and then it switches off the lights, etc. I don't know enough about how the Dodge system works to know if you can seperate each of these functions from each other, or if they all have to work together. If you talk to someone who knows this system in detail, they could tell you if you can get one part of it to work without any of the rest being involved. You may want to make all of this to be incorporated into your "48" to make it that much "cooler" with your freinds! think about it and decide what you want to do! Just my opinion, Westfaliaguy!
Are you really good with vehical electrics? The "Thing" that turns on the lights in the key holes on the LHS is connected into a central contoller that looks after "Key Hole" lights, Dome lights, Interior lights, Dash lights, Key light, etc. In other words, there is a small "controller box" that looks after all of these functions! When you start to insert the key, it turns the LED on inside of the door tumbler. Once you open the door, it keeps the dome and floor lights on for ten to twelve seconds or until you start the motor and then it switches off the lights, etc. I don't know enough about how the Dodge system works to know if you can seperate each of these functions from each other, or if they all have to work together. If you talk to someone who knows this system in detail, they could tell you if you can get one part of it to work without any of the rest being involved. You may want to make all of this to be incorporated into your "48" to make it that much "cooler" with your freinds! think about it and decide what you want to do! Just my opinion, Westfaliaguy!
I've never torn those handles apart but they could probably be made to work using a "off delay" timer relay
(same type of timer as your home electric heat, turn off the thermostat, fan continues to run for 5? minutes to cool the coils)
"if" they do light up just inserting the key (batt direct)....that would start the timer...timer times out....lights go off.....dome light could be used to reset the timer when you get out of the car or ign off to on (need a signal to start the cycle over)
check to see if you don't have a local electric controls and/or panel builder shop....they could set you up
been awhile since I did controls.... very probably a very inexpensive SS board available,......"off delay" is a very very common circuit requirement....
Chryslers used them for the radiator electric fan....turn off the car, fan ran for 5 minutes to cool the motor....start the motor again reset the timer
so the idea is then... the keyhole lite turns on the interior lites and stays on for 'a while ' ....problem is, I got the handle assemblys from the junk yard of a car headed for the crusher!. so the 'controller box' is long gone....wonder what a new one would cost ?
knighthawk,
call a Chrysler dealer and ask how much for that board....my guess is "NOT CHEAP"...and may well be a pia to wire into your car
if you get help local and build your own circuit with a plain jane potted basic plug in TDR and relay base.....???....$50.....(home thermostat DC fan off TDR is about $20? as an example, you want a higher amps rated unit for $30?)
circuit diagrams are online....just gooooogle: off delay timer.......
definitely use a fusable link on the power input....it is a "battery direct" circuit...a short can cause a fire
"KISS"....have the TDR control only the lock's lights turning off.....use door normal door switches for the interior lights....or you will have to wire your ign switch with another relay as a over-ride control for the interior lights and timer combo "if" you want it to be: "lights go off when motor starts period"
well, I can do relays and stuff, but never done anything with timers,haven't any idea where I would get one of those ! The nearest town, here has 600 people, next town has about 12,000, not too much here to chose from.....lots to think on .........thanks
I haven't fooled with Dodges much nor LHS's in particular but I have seen lit keyholes in other cars such as Lincolns. In them the light is there to assist you in finding the keyhole (not scratching up your paint) in very dark situations. The idea is to walk up to the car and yank the door handle. The door doesn't open, but a microswitch turns on the keyhole light. Then you can see the keyhole to more easily open your car. Certainly a delay circuit is involved because you don't have to keep holding the handle up to keep the light on. In a Dodge this would certainly be controlled by the "BCM" (Body Control Module) which also controls the power locks and optional keyless entry. I wouldn't bother with a BCM. They are about the size of a hardback novel and have a buttload of pins on the connector you'd have to figure out. A simpler option might be to buy a moderately priced car alarm that includes the common "domelight supervisor" option. Wire it up per instructions and just substitute connections. Instead of the power lock input, use the door handle switch. Instead of the domelight, you'd be powering up the keyhole lights. It would still require some figuring out but the delay function would be built in. On some pricier alarms you can even choose the delay time length.
Certainly you could work out something yourself. Here is a place where I've found lots of help on such off-the-wall puzzles.
Finally got back on the 'project'....this is the conclusion I came up with... the switch in the lock is simply the spring loaded 'dust' cover, and NOT a switch. The actual switch is on the very back of the lock, and is simply a rotating plate (switch) making (or breaking ) contact only when the key and tumbler shaft is turned. So, that means, it would turn on ( or trip rthe controller ) for the interior lights (?) when you turn the key to lock , or unlock the door. IF this is the case, why would you need to turn on the inside lites, possibley just long to get inside and to see the ignition switch ? Makes me wonder how we managed to start our cars all these years with out it !!!!...........thanks guys
That particular feature is to "check and see if a big carjacker is hiding in the back seat before getting in the car light." Probably not the official option name. Evidently some women like this feature. I have little to no use for it myself. I think the Lincoln lit keyholes more useful. I've wished the keyhole to the back door of my house had that.
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