Routing Wires Inside The Rear Door

[Speed_Chaser]

Hi guys! Need your help to make my latest project come true. I need to put some new wires inside the rear doors from the inside of the car, but faced a small problem.

When I open up my pillar where the seat belt is, I can see there is connector with wires connected to the rubber tunnel from the inside. That rubber tunnel is on the outside and the wires are being routed through it to the door. I cannot remove that connector. At the front the job was easy, just pull out the tunnel and route the wires through it as there was no connector at all.

This is the tunnel I'm talking about.

[tavy]

I faced this problem a couple of years ago when I installed Speakers in rear doors; in the "B" pillar is a pair of connectors, one is inside - that one which you have seen - and another one is outside, under that rubber tunnel. So, in order to get acces at this connector you should pull out with fingers that rubber;

(anyway, that car is not an Auris, but the rubber is looking like Auris') then with a small screwdriver you can undo those connectors.

[Speed_Chaser]

I knew that you'd be the one to answer my question, tavy :D But are you sure there's a connector inside the tunnel aswell? I tried pressing the tunnel with my fingers, but didn't feel anything. I was trying to pull the tunnel out, too, but it seems like an impossible task.

Didn't have time today, but will try tomorrow to remove that visible connector. There is a small thing on the connector which looks like "locker". I tried pushing it with a screwdriver and pulling the connector out yesterday, but did not succeed. I wasn't too thorough though, so want to try one more time with no rush :)

BTW here is a picture of how the connector looks like.

[tavy]

The connector have two lockers that can be unlocked with a small screwdriver; in order to get acces at that outside one, under the rubber tunnel, "peel out" the rubber starting from upper right corner. The rubber is caught in connector frame. The inside connector can not be remove first, from inside the pillar because it has a border outside, so it's fitted fom outside. BTW, at the Auris is not looks like in your picture !

[Speed_Chaser]

Yes yes, that is Auris in the picture. Here are better pictures of the same spot:

Ok ok, thanks for the pic. So first the rubber and then the connector. Will have to try that. Thanks mate :)

[tavy]

Yes, you're right, the red door/pillar is not an Auris, but silver one it is (I bet it's yours) is a picture taken from inside the car, backside of "B" pillar...

Good luck with your work, I'm sure that you'll succeed !

[Speed_Chaser]

Ah ok, now I understand you. You're right, red is not an Auris. It's just a random pic I managed to find from the Internet to demonstrate how the tunnel looks. I thought you meant that second mobile pic which I posted.

Those last photos aren't mine neither, was lucky to find a thread from Auris Club Russia where one guy is asking help on how to get wires for his Speakers into rear doors, as he doesn't have Speakers installed from the factory. That's how I managed to borrow those pics. Also, he did not get any really helpful answers so I gave him instructions which I got from you tavy. Communication over forum borders :D

I think I won't be able to test that thing myself even today, as it just started to rain. Will have to wait, but now I at least know what to do when I'll start doing it. Will report how it goes when I'll get it done :)

[Speed_Chaser]

The rain stopped and I had a chance to try. The rubber was easy to remove when I was sure it was possible.

But then, I could not remove the connector. There were many pieces which looked like possible lockers. After trying all of them, I ended up struggling most of the time with these as I though they are the ones:

I allready had tested that my wires fit through the holes of the connector. Yes, there are holes where the lockers are. I tried from the inside and outside, with no success. I kept trying as I wanted to get it done just to know I did it. But I couldn't :D Guess it's ok, but still a bit dissapointed... Especially as I was unable to route the wires through the rubber tunnel. Too much hurry and semi-darkness again + lack of proper steel wire. Will continue tomorrow...

[tavy]

You need pairs of pins in order to fit them into connectors; if you want to run wires into the tunnel, first time remove the seal tape that seals rubber tunnel end from inside the door.

[Speed_Chaser]

Yes I know about the tape. If you saw my equipment, you'd understand why I failed Will try today with some decent one... Allready gave up on removing the connector, it's useless so I don't want to waste any more of my time :)

[Speed_Chaser]

Everything's done now. Routed the wires through the holes in the connector just like I was planning. Also routed them through the rubber aswell. 2 more doors to go... Thanks for the support!

[tavy]

I'm glad to hear that you managed... What modification you have done ? Maybe window switch or door handle illumination ?

[Speed_Chaser]

The last one you mentioned :) Thought it'd be handy as people are often unable to track down the door handle in the dark. They always grab the big handle first.

I cut a piece of led strip with 3 leds and the length is perfect. It is illuminating very well too. The only thing which is bothering me is that the strip is visible a bit. When I look at the handle while I'm sitting in the car, I can see not only the light output, but also that there is 3 square leds. This is because the leds are obviously reflecting some light to the side too, not only to the front.

This is bothering just because I am trying to keep my car as stealth as possible, but this mod kinda ruins my plan a bit. Ok I have two strips in my boot and they are in the plain view. I couldn't find better place and installed them more because of their practicality than for the looks. But still...

[Speed_Chaser]

Problem solved. Painted sides of the led strips using black permanent marker. Now the leds aren't reflecting to the sides at all. Pics to come to my ride's introduction thread...