Installation Part 1
Had time today to install the sill plates.
Tools needed: flat head screwdriver (medium size), Torx driver (# listed in instructions), a 10mm socket and about a six inch extension for your ratchet wrench, multimeter or 12v test light, soldering iron, solder, electrical tape or similar for re-sealing wires and some zip ties (two or more really large ones and a small one).
First off the instructions for the illuminated sill plates are pretty good. Only gripe I have is that they want you to tie into the wiring on the passenger side and utilize the actual door pin trigger switch circuits and a hot line (not sure what circuit as I haven't looked).
I decided to tap into the same two wires that are used for the cargo light. One is always hot and one is the ground trigger from the body control box. This means I will be pulling the included harness for the sill plates the opposite direction (from the driver side to the passenger side).
First steps are in the instructions about removing the old sill plates. Easy... Pull them straight up sharply and they will either release from their clips or pull the clips with them. If any clips are left, remove them carefully with a flat head screwdriver from the outside edge at the bottom.
Next is removing the trim up the back side of the door jam. This is not really necessary, but your carpet may be under this. If you need to, pull off only a portion, remove the carpet and put the trim back.
Unscrew the three torx screws on the door jam at the top rear and remove the metal trim piece.
Move and tilt your seats all the way forward.
Now unscrew the carpet hold down behind the seat by hand (round plastic head with two dimples).
Remove the plastic speaker grills. Be very careful as these things are fragile. Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry it free on from the top. Then work your way around and down one side. It should begin to tip away and out easily after that.
Here is a picture to help you see where the clips are.
Now you can carefully pull the carpet up and fold it away so it braces on the back of the seats.
Open the center console box and carefully pull the cover up at the bottom rear of the storage area. Under here you will remove the two 10mm nuts from their anchors.
Lift the rear of the center console up and prop it on something about an inch thick.
Here is the passenger side wiring.
Here is the driver's side wiring.
I used two really long zip ties (about 14") to pass under the carpet. The instructions tell you to use a grabber tool. I used a smaller zip tie to grab my wire.
Here is the end coming through from the passenger side to the driver side.
Last edited by MMZ_TimeLord; Oct 19, 2006 at 08:12 PM.