Wiring additional footwell lights?

CalJames

Modification Addict
Jun 25, 2019
342
157
North Wales
Looking at installing some footwell lights in the back, I was hoping to tap into the front light wiring and run it under the seats.
Would any 12v strips work?
I have slight concerns about the voltage being at 14 when the engine is running and also the dimming when doors are closed
 

Stefan147

Active Member
Jan 29, 2019
193
140
Athens Greece
You can have it plug n play from Ali. That's what I've done.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000781488586.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.780e4c4dM67C1B

But pls note that this Ali part number leds are a bit brighter than ours so I ordered an extra 2 and changed the fronts as well. After all they are dimmable so you can adjust it as you like.


a9640e84164f0bbbb4c50302a1b5b24f.jpg
 

CalJames

Modification Addict
Jun 25, 2019
342
157
North Wales

Don1961

Active Member
Apr 11, 2019
213
118
You can have it plug n play from Ali. That's what I've done.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000781488586.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.780e4c4dM67C1B

But pls note that this Ali part number leds are a bit brighter than ours so I ordered an extra 2 and changed the fronts as well. After all they are dimmable so you can adjust it as you like.


a9640e84164f0bbbb4c50302a1b5b24f.jpg
Good job. I've been thinking of doing this and would be interested to know how you fixed the lights and routed the cables. I had thought of cutting into carpet, maybe??
 

Stefan147

Active Member
Jan 29, 2019
193
140
Athens Greece
Just lift the front seats all the way up and you'll easily figure out where the new lights are mounted.;)

As for the wiring think of it as a Y. One female plug to insert the existing plug (comes from the bcm) that powers the fronts, one new male plug to now power the fronts and the long part with a male one to go to the back. Routing is pretty straightforward. You just follow the existing wiring that goes to the seats for the airbags etc. So you take both front door sill plastics off and send the wire under the carpet and towards the seats. The carpet is pre-cut so there is no way to go wrong.

Maybe this can help as well.

 

CalJames

Modification Addict
Jun 25, 2019
342
157
North Wales
Just lift the front seats all the way up and you'll easily figure out where the new lights are mounted.;)

As for the wiring think of it as a Y. One female plug to insert the existing plug (comes from the bcm) that powers the fronts, one new male plug to now power the fronts and the long part with a male one to go to the back. Routing is pretty straightforward. You just follow the existing wiring that goes to the seats for the airbags etc. So you take both front door sill plastics and send the wire under the carpet and towards the seats. The carpet is pre-cut so there is no way to go wrong.

Maybe this can help as well.

Pretty straight forward then, gonna order a set.
Thanks for your help
 
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Don1961

Active Member
Apr 11, 2019
213
118
Just lift the front seats all the way up and you'll easily figure out where the new lights are mounted.;)

As for the wiring think of it as a Y. One female plug to insert the existing plug (comes from the bcm) that powers the fronts, one new male plug to now power the fronts and the long part with a male one to go to the back. Routing is pretty straightforward. You just follow the existing wiring that goes to the seats for the airbags etc. So you take both front door sill plastics off and send the wire under the carpet and towards the seats. The carpet is pre-cut so there is no way to go wrong.

Maybe this can help as well.

Cool, Thank you. Ordered :D
 
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TripleBob

Active Member
May 3, 2021
351
252
@Stefan147 probably a stupid question, but will these definitely fit the MK3/3.5 facelift? The AliExpress listing says only Leon's up to 2014?
 

martin j.

Active Member
Feb 11, 2007
1,997
894
Fife
Might have thought about doing this too but my fronts are fully dimmed-no distracting lighting in the car-and all would be at the same brightness.
 
May 28, 2021
1
0
I figure wiring it to go on with the stopping lights (to begin with turn of the light stalk switch) is superior than wiring it to the front lamp (2nd turn) since we may not need the headlights on.. WTH, it doesn't matter.
WalgreensListens
 

Jay5959

FR 184
Apr 26, 2020
502
259
Different connections for my 16 plate mk3. The connections are tiny compared to the original front footwell light connections. Bit miffed, anyone have a link to ones that would work?
 

Don1961

Active Member
Apr 11, 2019
213
118
Different connections for my 16 plate mk3. The connections are tiny compared to the original front footwell light connections. Bit miffed, anyone have a link to ones that would work?
I've just installed some on my 2018 FR. I just cut the connector off and spliced into original loom behind each original light. Now just waiting for some red LEDs to match the front.
 

Jay5959

FR 184
Apr 26, 2020
502
259
I've just installed some on my 2018 FR. I just cut the connector off and spliced into original loom behind each original light. Now just waiting for some red LEDs to match the front.
Don’t fancy cutting connections tbh, heard horror stories of seat electronics and don’t fancy messing something up. Did you have to cut some foam away from under the seat where the light would sit? I’ve found the hole for it but the foam is pressed right up to it. Think I might just leave it 😂
 

Don1961

Active Member
Apr 11, 2019
213
118
Don’t fancy cutting connections tbh, heard horror stories of seat electronics and don’t fancy messing something up. Did you have to cut some foam away from under the seat where the light would sit? I’ve found the hole for it but the foam is pressed right up to it. Think I might just leave it 😂
Yes. I cut away some of the foam and they work fine. I've wired another boot light and a 12v socket in boot by splicing into original wiring with no problems. But I understand your concern if you're not happy doing that.
 

CalJames

Modification Addict
Jun 25, 2019
342
157
North Wales
When I purchased the LED footwell lights for the front I received an adaptor cable. I cut the plastic around the plug and it fits straight into the bulb and harness. No cutting/splicing of factory wiring.
20210606_193536.jpg
 

CalJames

Modification Addict
Jun 25, 2019
342
157
North Wales
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Jay5959

FR 184
Apr 26, 2020
502
259
I've just installed some on my 2018 FR. I just cut the connector off and spliced into original loom behind each original light. Now just waiting for some red LEDs to match the front.
Did you get the red leds yet? Looking good? Do you have a link to them. I’ve found some adapters for the wiring loom to fit the cars original connections, going to fit them soon