LED Footwell Lights

[BoBdOg!]

Hi guys,

Just need some help as Ive come to a dead end!!

Basically what I've done is buy 2 24cm white led strips, I'm trying to achieve the look of the TTrs when you open the door foot well lights come on.

Ive fixed them in place and wired them up for a test on a live supply and they look great, cant see the actual strip just a nice white light. My only issue is that I cant find anywhere the feed going to the interior lights, so at the moment Ive just linked them to the headlights. I think its a bit tacky as they are always on through driving.

All I want them to do is be on when the doors are open and off when the doors are closed. Thought it was a simple job but looks like its turning into a mountain!!

Help would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Thanks, Luke

 

[BeezaDave]

I wouldn't be good with the technical side of things but what if you spliced them into the power for the interior light? That way they would come on when you unlock the car/open the door but go off when you start the car.

 

[BoBdOg!]

I wouldn't be good with the technical side of things but what if you spliced them into the power for the interior light? That way they would come on when you unlock the car/open the door but go off when you start the car.

Yeh that's what I was thinking but don't know where that feed is....

 

[mwillis551]

i had these in my old car but only i power the lights by the cigarette socket

 

[BeezaDave]

Yeh that's what I was thinking but don't know where that feed is....

Haha sorry mate I read it wrong. Surely the wires up to the interior light run behind the A pillar?

 

[hon_n_gem]

When I wired up W8 lights onto my Ibiza I used power from a wire behind the fusebox.

Wire went up the a pillar and behind headlining.

All you will need is a few meters of cable to wire the LED Strips to one of the wires behind the interior light. Which one I dont know?!?!

You can use connectors like these to tap into the power without needing to cut wires!

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_180127_langId_-1_categoryId_255229

 

[BoBdOg!]

Haha sorry mate I read it wrong. Surely the wires up to the interior light run behind the A pillar?

lol. Hmm that's a very good point, never even thought about that. I'll have a look on Sunday. Cheers!

 

[BoBdOg!]

When I wired up W8 lights onto my Ibiza I used power from a wire behind the fusebox.

Wire went up the a pillar and behind headlining.

All you will need is a few meters of cable to wire the LED Strips to one of the wires behind the interior light. Which one I dont know?!?!

You can use connectors like these to tap into the power without needing to cut wires!

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_180127_langId_-1_categoryId_255229

I'm gonna have a go at tapping Into the wiring up the a pillar. I believe you can't actually get behind the light unit on the Leon so I'll trace the wiring!!
Those connectors are handy, I'll grab a few!! Thank for your help.

 

[StealthInspired]

There's also a reliable switched live feed from the cigarette socket, in the centre console.

You could wire in a switch to activate them. But if you want the lights to come on, like courtesy lights, only while the doors open, agree with the above (tap into the interior light).

Good luck! plus post pics, sounds cool.

 

[hon_n_gem]

Had a quick look. It appears to be 4 clips that hold the light up. I unclipped those and there are two bundles of cables that go into the light?! Not sure what one of them is but the one you want has blue/white, red/black and brown cable.

Looks like routing the cable will be ok too! I can see light from windscreen so I would tuck the cable in there, round the join of the a pillar and down the rubber seal.

 

[bigbadjay]

If they work when wired in front of the on/off switch of the interior lights they should work at the fuse box (where?) Or anywhere else down the line. Then choose which is easier to get at. Im trying ambient leds in rear veiw but having trouble with removing the a pillar cover! And interior lights panel also! But wirings all checked and working.

Mite try this they sound good!

 

[sclarkson82]

any pics of lights in interior mirror bigbadjay ???

 

[weejim]

hey great idea i was thinkin about doin this awell where did u get ur lights from?

 

[mwillis551]

trusty ebay lol

 

[bigbadjay]

any pics of lights in interior mirror bigbadjay ???

Not in yet.

 

[bigbadjay]

I'm gonna have a go at tapping Into the wiring up the a pillar. I believe you can't actually get behind the light unit on the Leon so I'll trace the wiring!!
Those connectors are handy, I'll grab a few!! Thank for your help.

You can probably tap into it at the connector of the interior lights. Just unplug it and prod your wires in the connector slots, or, where the wires go in to conector without using these clips as a trial, then clipping after

 

[BoBdOg!]

Its turning out to be more trouble than its worth lol, I got mine for like £2 on ebay LED strips. They look really good plus your not gonna see them in the footwell's so don't worry about looks. Tried tapping into each wire and none of them switched it, just had a constant live and nothing on the rest.
Ive got as feeling the actually light unit does all the switching. I know an auto electrician so gonna get him on the case, Ill update you all If I sort it!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot-fNpoEeng

That's what I'm attempting

 

[BoBdOg!]

Does anybody know how to remove the full interior light unit? It seems to be solid onto the roof......

 

[bigbadjay]

Hmmmm. But you dont press a switch to light up when u open door? I see what you mean maybe hijack a connection after the switch, infront of bulb connectors? Itll be abit tight and messy. Let us know what your mate says!

Is there any door close sensors etc on the doors themselves? Like a fridge on/off push button but not as crude lol

Cant wait to see them! Mite try my ambient leds tomorrow to save taking all the panels off mite just have them on when ignition is on.

 

[vincent5525]

If I remember right the interior lights are a switchable earth. Dont forget the LED lamps will only power up one way.