LED Mood Lighting

N

Nharris89

Member
Hi All,

I want to add to the mood lighting in my e85. I've obvious got the factory fitted red spot light that shines down onto the gearstick area. I want to add some red strip lights into the footwell on each side. I've ordered some strip lights but it would be a huge help if someone could point me to where I need to splice the power cables into? I'd like them on all the time that the factory fitted one is on, so guessing I need to tap into that somewhere, but where? Any help hugely appreciated!!
 
'factory fitted red spot light that shines down onto the gearstick area'

That's a new one to me.
:?
 
Chris_D said:
'factory fitted red spot light that shines down onto the gearstick area'

That's a new one to me.
:?
Click to expand...

Just mine?! It's mounted in the interior ceiling lights. It's on all the time the headlights are.
 
Nharris89 said:
Chris_D said:
'factory fitted red spot light that shines down onto the gearstick area'

That's a new one to me.
:?
Click to expand...

Just mine?! It's mounted in the interior ceiling lights. It's on all the time the headlights are.
Click to expand...
sounds a bit aftermarrket mod to me that.
pics?
 
???
My coupe has one. It's pretty wimpy, you only notice it on real dark roads.
Pretty sure its standard.
 
My car is also fitted with this soft central console flood light, I would describe it more orange than red. Maybe I am colour blind. Be careful when choosing mood lighting colour LEDS .....the wrong colour may change your mood!
 
i have the central console lights in front of the mirror too but theyre not red. Both reading lights are white as well as the centre one.
 
Chris_D said:
i have the central console lights in front of the mirror too but theyre not red. Both reading lights are white as well as the centre one.
Click to expand...

He means this. It is a long exposure shot (maybe 1/2 a sec).
 

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Even lifers can learn something new on this forum! It is standard Chris but quite subtle, so you probably just never noticed.

As to where to tap into it.... the interior light cluster above the windscreen would be the obvious place - the cluster removes very easily.
 
This is interesting as it would be nice to add some mood lighting like you get in the new BMWs Mercedes etc. I might be wrong but I always thought the orange light by the interior lights on the roof are fibre optic, in which case where would you tap into it? Maybe another option is to tap into the wires for the side lights, so they come on when you turn on the car lights?
 
Nharris89 said:
lucasxdiniz said:
Chris_D said:
i have the central console lights in front of the mirror too but theyre not red. Both reading lights are white as well as the centre one.
Click to expand...

He means this. It is a long exposure shot (maybe 1/2 a sec).
Click to expand...

That's the one :D :thumbsup:
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I definitely don’t have that in my car. It must be a facelift feature.
 
Chris_D said:
Nharris89 said:
lucasxdiniz said:
He means this. It is a long exposure shot (maybe 1/2 a sec).
Click to expand...

That's the one :D :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
I definitely don’t have that in my car. It must be a facelift feature.
Click to expand...

Most BMWs for many years have had it, I can remember having it in my old E46 and E39 even if I remember correctly the old E36 had it too, so it should be there.
 
One last question as I've scoured the web with little success! How do I remove the pillar trim to run the cable up to the centre lights above my head? I have found loads on how to remove the centre console and dash but none to remove the pillar trims! Thanks in advance!
 
The image makes it look brighter than it is due to the long exposure. Put your hand up by the courtesy light cluster and you should see a red glow on your hand. If you can't then the bulb must be blown (not sure why it would be fibre optic when there are other bulbs up there anyway). All Z4's had it.
 
Nharris89 said:
One last question as I've scoured the web with little success! How do I remove the pillar trim to run the cable up to the centre lights above my head? I have found loads on how to remove the centre console and dash but none to remove the pillar trims! Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Try this...https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=90148

and this...https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=73905
 
ph001 said:
Nharris89 said:
One last question as I've scoured the web with little success! How do I remove the pillar trim to run the cable up to the centre lights above my head? I have found loads on how to remove the centre console and dash but none to remove the pillar trims! Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Try this...https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=90148

and this...https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=73905
Click to expand...

You're a star! Just had a go and had all that trim off in minutes! Just got to figure which cable powers the red led Spot lights now and splice into it with connector blocks!
 
IMG-20200123-WA0008.jpegIMG-20200123-WA0006.jpeg

One side done, I'll get the passenger side done tomorrow all being well. The light looks brighter than it is in the photo, I guess cos it's getting dark and my camera is staying open longer....
 
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