How to Convert 2006 Dimmer to Turn On Dome light
04-26-2007 | 12:16 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 02-01-2006
Posts: 1,421
From: lockport,ny
How to Convert 2006 Dimmer to Turn On Dome light
Here's the procedure:
1. Here are the parts you will need:
a) 2 terminals for the connector that mates with the dimmer switch
b) 2 pieces of 18 gauge wire (preferrably 2 different colors) 2 feet long
c) 1 splice terminal for 18 gauge wire
d) 1 ring terminal for 18 gauge wire, with a 1/4" diameter hole
e) 1 Dimmer Switch for 2007 HHR, GM# 15892120 (list $25.15)
2. Remove the center console trim piece (how-to already described in other posts) that the dimmer switch is attached to. Disconnect all electrical connectors so that the trim piece is free from any attachments to the dash. This piece contains the actual dimmer switch.
3. Crimp a connector onto each piece of wire. I also lightly soldered the crimp area to make sure. Here's a pic of the terminal and a terminal with wire attached:
4. On the back of the trim piece, remove the 5 screws that hold the bracket that contains the dimmer switch. I was able to pull the bracket out from under the vents without removing the additional screws for the vents. To be on the safe side, you could remove those additional screws to prevent the possibility of breaking any plastic pieces. Here are the 5 screws:
5. Here's a picture of the removed bracket with an arrow pointing to the dimmer switch:
6. Remove the switch from the bracket. This could be tricky, as you have to pry between the bracket and the switch to release 2 tabs on each side of the switch (long sides). remember which way the switch was facing before you remove it, as it's possible to snap it in upside-down. Here's a picture of the removed switch:
Label the old switch so you don't confuse it with the new one, which will look identical.
7. On the connector that plugs into the dimmer switch, note that there are two wires in it. These are for the dimming function. Here's a picture:
There is a hinged cover attached to the connector where the wires enter that keeps the terminals inside the connector. Carefully pry on the sides of the cover to release it from the locking tab. The cover should now pivot open. Place one new connector with wire attached into each of the END holes in the connector. Look at the way the two existing terminals are inserted and insert the two new terminals the same way. Here's a picture of the connector with the two new terminals/wires inserted.
Note that the cover is still open in the picture. Don't forget to snap the cover closed.
8. Snap the new dimmer switch into the bracket, reinstall the bracket into the trim piece.
9. The BCM is on the passenger side of the center console, below the radio and heater controls. There is a panel that snaps off to reveal the BCM. Remove this panel. Now fish the wires that you attached to the dimmer switch connector through a hole in the console and have the wires come out at the BCM area. The existing wires go through a hole towards the driver side, I pulled the new wires through another hole that faced the passenger side. Whatever way you route the wires, make sure they don't rub on any sharp edges. I had to lay on my back in the passenger footwell to see where the wires were inside the console and then pull them down.
10. Once the wires are routed, plug the connectors back in and reinstall the trim piece. You will be working in the BCM area now. Onto one of the wire ends, crimp on the ring terminal, this will go onto the ground screw. The other wire will connect to the BCM dome light control input. It doesn't matter which wire goes to ground or the BCM. In the following picture you will see an arrow pointing to the ground connection, the splice connection for the BCM input, and an arrow showing the two wires entering the BCM area.
The wire to connect to at the BCM is in cavity "A10". The bottom row of the connector is row "A" and it's the 10th terminal position from the left. The existing wire that you will attach to is GRAY. Here is a closeup picture of the BCM connection:
Reinstall the BCM cover by snapping it on and play with your new dome light control!
Steve
1. Here are the parts you will need:
a) 2 terminals for the connector that mates with the dimmer switch
b) 2 pieces of 18 gauge wire (preferrably 2 different colors) 2 feet long
c) 1 splice terminal for 18 gauge wire
d) 1 ring terminal for 18 gauge wire, with a 1/4" diameter hole
e) 1 Dimmer Switch for 2007 HHR, GM# 15892120 (list $25.15)
2. Remove the center console trim piece (how-to already described in other posts) that the dimmer switch is attached to. Disconnect all electrical connectors so that the trim piece is free from any attachments to the dash. This piece contains the actual dimmer switch.
3. Crimp a connector onto each piece of wire. I also lightly soldered the crimp area to make sure. Here's a pic of the terminal and a terminal with wire attached:
4. On the back of the trim piece, remove the 5 screws that hold the bracket that contains the dimmer switch. I was able to pull the bracket out from under the vents without removing the additional screws for the vents. To be on the safe side, you could remove those additional screws to prevent the possibility of breaking any plastic pieces. Here are the 5 screws:
5. Here's a picture of the removed bracket with an arrow pointing to the dimmer switch:
6. Remove the switch from the bracket. This could be tricky, as you have to pry between the bracket and the switch to release 2 tabs on each side of the switch (long sides). remember which way the switch was facing before you remove it, as it's possible to snap it in upside-down. Here's a picture of the removed switch:
Label the old switch so you don't confuse it with the new one, which will look identical.
7. On the connector that plugs into the dimmer switch, note that there are two wires in it. These are for the dimming function. Here's a picture:
There is a hinged cover attached to the connector where the wires enter that keeps the terminals inside the connector. Carefully pry on the sides of the cover to release it from the locking tab. The cover should now pivot open. Place one new connector with wire attached into each of the END holes in the connector. Look at the way the two existing terminals are inserted and insert the two new terminals the same way. Here's a picture of the connector with the two new terminals/wires inserted.
Note that the cover is still open in the picture. Don't forget to snap the cover closed.
8. Snap the new dimmer switch into the bracket, reinstall the bracket into the trim piece.
9. The BCM is on the passenger side of the center console, below the radio and heater controls. There is a panel that snaps off to reveal the BCM. Remove this panel. Now fish the wires that you attached to the dimmer switch connector through a hole in the console and have the wires come out at the BCM area. The existing wires go through a hole towards the driver side, I pulled the new wires through another hole that faced the passenger side. Whatever way you route the wires, make sure they don't rub on any sharp edges. I had to lay on my back in the passenger footwell to see where the wires were inside the console and then pull them down.
10. Once the wires are routed, plug the connectors back in and reinstall the trim piece. You will be working in the BCM area now. Onto one of the wire ends, crimp on the ring terminal, this will go onto the ground screw. The other wire will connect to the BCM dome light control input. It doesn't matter which wire goes to ground or the BCM. In the following picture you will see an arrow pointing to the ground connection, the splice connection for the BCM input, and an arrow showing the two wires entering the BCM area.
The wire to connect to at the BCM is in cavity "A10". The bottom row of the connector is row "A" and it's the 10th terminal position from the left. The existing wire that you will attach to is GRAY. Here is a closeup picture of the BCM connection:
Reinstall the BCM cover by snapping it on and play with your new dome light control!
Steve
Last edited by fastsuv; 04-26-2007 at 12:20 PM. Reason: Picture posting mistake
04-26-2007 | 02:11 PM
#4
Platinum Member
Joined: 05-09-2006
Posts: 6,805
From: "Upland" Mesa, Arizona
Great job, Steve...
Still suggest a separate thread with all "how-to's" stickied, and locked. Comments by members can be made to the original post and the Mods can move the how-to to the dedicated thread, afterword.
Still suggest a separate thread with all "how-to's" stickied, and locked. Comments by members can be made to the original post and the Mods can move the how-to to the dedicated thread, afterword.
Excellent!
04-26-2007 | 10:04 PM
#9
Senior Member
Joined: 08-02-2006
Posts: 175
From: San Marcos, TX
Just to help out on sourcing for the switch...
www.gmpartsdirect.com has the switch for $13.08
www.partszoneonline.com has it for $14.47
just do a part search at either place for the part number.
Guess this is next on my to-do list
BTW (realizing I'm taking a risk) I assume the terminals that get inserted are available pretty much anywhere, or are they something I'm gonna have to go to the dealer for?
www.gmpartsdirect.com has the switch for $13.08
www.partszoneonline.com has it for $14.47
just do a part search at either place for the part number.
Guess this is next on my to-do list
BTW (realizing I'm taking a risk) I assume the terminals that get inserted are available pretty much anywhere, or are they something I'm gonna have to go to the dealer for?
