Retrofit footwell lights on a 2.0

J

JimmyPop

Senior member
 Glasgow
Have read the guides on here regarding retrofitting footwell lights. Had a look under the cowling in the passenger's side and there are no spare wires to plug in to a light. Just wondering what the easiest way to install these would be - is it possible to piggy-back off of the fuses for the interior lights to run footwell lights or will that result in them being permanently on?

My main reason for doing this is so I can install puddle lights in the doors using the footwell lights as a source, so on second thoughts if this is possible I might just piggyback the puddle lights from the fuse box.
 
andysat said:
Is the wiring there but just taped further up out of the way?
Click to expand...

have yopu located it Andysat, i had a look on mine but couldnt see it, how far up is it?
 
Well I've had my arm all the way up and couldn't find any relevant wiring. Might have a look on RealOEM see if I can figure it out. I need to take my car to the dealers to see about my starter motor so might ask them when I'm in (doubt they'll be any help though...). I might try wiring a circuit with a LED to the fuse for the interior lighting circuit.
 
No worries. Have been looking around the web for any how-to's that are available. There seem to be a few for footwell lights in the Z3 (not a standard option apparently) which involved splicing the wires in to the unit behind the fuse box. If it involves that I'm not so sure I want to give it a go! I suppose another option would be to take it from the dome light but that would obviously involve taking off the pillars...
 
Those words scare me-'splicing the wires' :cry: -cant believe the price of these cars and footwell lighting must of been an optional extra as i just have cut-outs :cry:
 
I've just fitted footwell lights, I had no lighting in the footwells to tap into.
I found that if you remove the ash tray, then take out the small console it sits in {one screw in center-then pull console out} there is a small LED that lights the ash tray. I spliced the feed into this for the new LED strips for the footwells. It works excellently, the footwell lights come on when the lights are turned on, and are also controlled by the dimmer just as the dash lights are
:D
 
Whiteknight said:
I've just fitted footwell lights, I had no lighting in the footwells to tap into.
I found that if you remove the ash tray, then take out the small console it sits in {one screw in center-then pull console out} there is a small LED that lights the ash tray. I spliced the feed into this for the new LED strips for the footwells. It works excellently, the footwell lights come on when the lights are turned on, and are also controlled by the dimmer just as the dash lights are
:D
Click to expand...

But you don't really want them on all the time the lights are on as they will be a distraction.
 
Been away to long, but pretty sure mine has footwell lighting, must have a weight saving measure on the 2.0 :poke:
quite like the idea of the puddle lighting though,








No must resist temptation
 
Whiteknight said:
I've just fitted footwell lights, I had no lighting in the footwells to tap into.
I found that if you remove the ash tray, then take out the small console it sits in {one screw in center-then pull console out} there is a small LED that lights the ash tray. I spliced the feed into this for the new LED strips for the footwells. It works excellently, the footwell lights come on when the lights are turned on, and are also controlled by the dimmer just as the dash lights are
:D
Click to expand...

Sounds promising and less hassle than plugging in to the dome lights. Are they permanently on though?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
JimmyPop said:
Whiteknight said:
I've just fitted footwell lights, I had no lighting in the footwells to tap into.
I found that if you remove the ash tray, then take out the small console it sits in {one screw in center-then pull console out} there is a small LED that lights the ash tray. I spliced the feed into this for the new LED strips for the footwells. It works excellently, the footwell lights come on when the lights are turned on, and are also controlled by the dimmer just as the dash lights are
:D
Click to expand...

Sounds promising and less hassle than plugging in to the dome lights. Are they permanently on though?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
As srhutch says-i think they will be.
 
JimmyPop said:
Whiteknight said:
I've just fitted footwell lights, I had no lighting in the footwells to tap into.
I found that if you remove the ash tray, then take out the small console it sits in {one screw in center-then pull console out} there is a small LED that lights the ash tray. I spliced the feed into this for the new LED strips for the footwells. It works excellently, the footwell lights come on when the lights are turned on, and are also controlled by the dimmer just as the dash lights are
:D
Click to expand...

Sounds promising and less hassle than plugging in to the dome lights. Are they permanently on though?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


If using this method the footwell illumation will come on only when the headlights are turned on. I'm happy with them on in this way, as I have used Red LEDs, so it is a nice deep colour which matches & enhances the red leather seats.
If Blue, or a brighter colour LED is used maybe they would be a bit bright to have on for long night journeys when the headlights are on-I don't really know, but also remember the car's dimmer dial on the dash will dim them down, (because obviously the LEDs are tapped into the dashboard illumation)
An on/off switch (hidden if required) would be easy to fit, just put 'in line'
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom