add a switch for lights above second row seats?

[onsight512]

We have an '02 E-350 that has two map/reading lights above the second row seats. My kids have a habit of leaving these things on when we get out of the van. Is there a (relatively) easy way to put a switch on these, preferably on the dash, that would keep these things unpowered when I don't want them on?
Alternatively, is there a way to kill the power to them when the ignition is off?

 

[82fb]

I had the same problem in other vehicles and just swapped out the stock lights for some LED's. They could stay on for a couple weeks before killing the battery.

Also, if your kids like them on at night, I find that the LED's don't bother me as much when I am driving.,

 

[PA Slammer]

Excellent idea!

PA Slammer

 

[4x4junkie]

Do the lights have a fuse of their own? Maybe find the wire coming from that fuse position and install an on/off switch on it (be aware Ford in the past powered the radio's memory-backup circuit from the same fuse as the dome-light circuit, so if this 2nd dome light is on the same circuit as the main dome, you might have to switch things around if you start losing your radio presets. Unsure if they still wire it like this or not).

For ignition-switched, you'd need to find a switched source of power and then swap the wire to the light over to that.

If you have a set of factory wiring diagrams for your van would help immensely, they show what color each wire is and the circuit description (and circuit #), which helps in finding the right wire inside of a harness.

Hope that helps

 

[onsight512]

Thanks. The LEDs are a good idea. I think that I'll start with that.