Kappa Performance Forum
Kappa Specific => Joe's Garage => Topic started by: Sly Bob on April 26, 2009, 09:52:21 PM
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Couldn't find a thread here for footwell lighting so I figured I would start one.
All the connections can be made in the footwell on the passenger side. No need to run wires to the rear view mirror.
[attachment=2]
The LEDs that I purchased are available at Oznium.com. Each module uses 6 PLCC-2 style surface mount LEDs with a wide 110 degree viewing angle so you don't get any hot spots on the floor. They are very tiny and will fit any where. This one on the driver side is mounted under the small hump under the OBDII connector.
[attachment=3]
I purchased the LED modules here. http://www.oznium.com/led-modules (http://www.oznium.com/led-modules)
You will require an "Add-A-Circuit" mini from Littelfuse to tap into the fuse that from the factory powers the interior lights. Be sure to get the "mini" version. You can pick them up at any auto parts store. I have purchased them at both Autozone in the U.S. and Canadian Tire in Canada.
[attachment=1]
The hook up is extremely simple and with the wires connected as in the above picture the LEDs will turn off and fade with the rear view mirror. The completed installation with the Add-A-Circuit in place would look something like this. The LEDs are on the add-a-circuit on the right. The add-a-circuit on the left is for the switched power for my HHR rear view mirror.
[attachment=4]
Finally when all is said and done the LEDs look great and it's amazing how much light you get from these little modules. You can see one of the maplights from the rear view mirror at the top of the picture and of course the footwell lighting.
[attachment=5]
I am very happy the way it turned out and I may soon be looking for more places to put LEDs.
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Those little modules are very bright and small.
I have two in the bed of my covered truck one on each side and they work like magic.
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That look very good. Nice job :thumbs:
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Great write-up Bob, thanks....
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Perfect timing I just had lights sent to DeepblueGXP's house in anticipation of this mod next time I visit, I got unltraviolet lights, didn't want yellow and anything else just didn't seem right with the yellow car.
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I want to change out the bulbs in the rear view mirror. I searched the Sky owners manual. It told me every light in the car but what the bulb in the map lights? I did this mod and want to change to a white LED. The auto parts store lighting computer said its a 2112-2 and that is not correct.
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Update: The bulbs in the mirror map lights are 192 bulbs. I changed them out to white LED's 194. Perfect match.
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Nice thread and so simple. And I can tell ya there ARE more places to put interior lighting :) This is the one place I have NOT yet. :lol:
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Update: The bulbs in the mirror map lights are 192 bulbs. I changed them out to white LED's 194. Perfect match.
Where did you get them from and what color did you go with?
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Nice thread and so simple. And I can tell ya there ARE more places to put interior lighting :) This is the one place I have NOT yet. :lol:
Where else have you added lights and do you have pictures?
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Where else have you added lights and do you have pictures?
All of my speakers (to in clude the three I installed into the waterfall) illuminate, I have single LED spots in the upper corners of the A-pillar as cabin lights, A 12 inch light bar across the botom of my kappashiled, LED's inserted into the bottom of the door panels (now that they are winged and can be seen), (3) LED bars in the engine bay, two small light bars in the trunk space, UMMM??? I think that's it so far. Problem now is finding a car show that hangs out long enough for it to get dark in the summer :lol: No belly light underglow's though. Still not sure I want those and if I do I'm thinking just front and back and not sides for clearance reasons and my lights are more for accenting than just show glow.
I have pics all over the forums and won't post them here as I am probably hacking to much info already to a DIY and it's a good one.
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I got them at Pep Boys. They are Pilot LI-194W L.E.D. Indicator Lamps. $7.99 and 5 minute install the hardest part is getting the old bulbs out.
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Just did the footwell install worked great, I just did 2 leds on each side easy to add more, have to see how much light there is at night. I used UV leds because I didn't want a lot of light just a little, we will see how well they work out, I can always change them to white very easily. I just drilled holes in the plastic and glued in the leds. works great.
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I have questions!
How, exactly, did you run the wiring? I mean, the passenger side is probably straight forward (though I'm trying not to have loose hanging wires)... how do you route over to the driver's side?
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I routed the wire through the dash with a fish tape. If the wire was a little more rigid I wouldn't have needed the tape but the wire was too floppy. If you don't have a fish tape you could just as easily use a straightened coat hanger. There is plenty of room in there to get a straight shot to the drivers side.
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Another great thing to use as a fishtape is a measuring tape.
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I used a coat hanger and I have a fish tape it was way more that what was needed, you only need 2 feet at most. It was easy. Now to do the map light bulbs to match my UV, and yes they will make your teeth glow like a '80's disco.
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I did this install last week, used a coat hanger to "Fish" the wire through, worked great. I used red lighting to cut down on the overall "light" signature of the car and what a difference this install has made in my car. Overall I think that changin out the Ozium's should be pretty easy later on if I want to change the color to something a little more extreme...
My roommate has a subaru tribecca and liked it so well asked me if I could do it to that vehicle also. I think for the coolness factor...
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Hi Bob,
It looks like the pictures did not make it through the site upgrade. Can you repost them please?
Thanks
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I tried reloading them from the site backup and that didn't help. I had a tough time getting them off the last site. Sorry guys, that's also the reason some avatars didn't make it.
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I will have to repost the pictures but I will have to take them again as I don't have them here any longer. Is there one in particular that you are looking for?
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No, don't bother bob, that's too much trouble. I'll take pictures when I do this again and post them up. A friend asked me to do it for him and I cam back to see the pictures but they were gone. I did not take any when I did mine.
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I have been repairing the other threads that I have done with pictures so why not another? :D I don't know why I didn't have those on my computer but I didn't. I put up the picture last night of where the connections are made which really is the most important one.
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I like this idea. Its dark in these cars with just the map lights. I also want some on the trunk lid. I think I will order some. Did you use the strip type or the round type.
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I used this one.
(http://www.oznium.com/product_photos/large/1174.jpg)
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I have updated first post in this thread with new pictures. I will take the final picture tonight after dark.
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when i read this thread i decided to try this on my own, since the DIY Sly Bob posted makes this an easy-to-do.
so i started gathering the parts needed....and i stopped there...
i cannot find the add-a-circuit anywhere in Greece.
led so thin, so small and at this price, also nowhere..
while i was out on the streets asking from shop to shop and from garage to garage, one electrician told me that it could be unsafe for the BCM to have this ad-a-circuit since the certain slot on the bcm is designed to have only one fuse, so you might as well burn the fuse or the whole bcm.
is that so, or was he talking BS?
Sly Bob, before posting this thread you should consider that in Greece you can't easily find ad-a-circuit and this kind of leds, coz now that i came to a dead end, i m jealous of your mod !!!
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BS, I have this mod and have all my LED lights and WR stuff hooked into it. The LED's are such low power draw the car will not even notice it.
Many of the cars have these and other than "vampire" clip shorts or grounds, there have not been too many issues out there.
Joe, you have a lot of LED's any input???
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Check this thread regarding a VERY similar install:
http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f11/led-lighting-project-63274/ (http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f11/led-lighting-project-63274/)
I got my add-a-circuit fuse block tap from a local auto parts store, but you can also get it from Sherco auto supplies. They are based in America, but will likely ship to you. They shipped to me in Canada.
I got my LEDs from Oznium, again in America, and again they shipped to me in Canada. All in, it cost me about $70 CAD, to wire in the red LED footwell lighting, the white LED floor lighting, and the trunk lighting, with the add-a-circuit, and some fuses/fuse holders.
when i read this thread i decided to try this on my own, since the DIY Sly Bob posted makes this an easy-to-do.
so i started gathering the parts needed....and i stopped there...
i cannot find the add-a-circuit anywhere in Greece.
led so thin, so small and at this price, also nowhere..
while i was out on the streets asking from shop to shop and from garage to garage, one electrician told me that it could be unsafe for the BCM to have this ad-a-circuit since the certain slot on the bcm is designed to have only one fuse, so you might as well burn the fuse or the whole bcm.
is that so, or was he talking BS?
Sly Bob, before posting this thread you should consider that in Greece you can't easily find ad-a-circuit and this kind of leds, coz now that i came to a dead end, i m jealous of your mod !!!
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Thx Carbon Sky, i will order them from US. i was not very eager to place an order to them for $9-10, but since i can t find the parts here, i will do it this way.
CT Solstice, i think he was talking BS, but again, i couldn t be sure..
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Arabas, PM me your address. I'll send you a few.
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http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ADD-CIRCUIT-FUSE-HOLDER-10-amp-MINI-BLADE-FUSES-/250630640663?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Cars_Parts_Vehicles_Terminals_Cabling_ET&hash=item3a5ac01417 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ADD-CIRCUIT-FUSE-HOLDER-10-amp-MINI-BLADE-FUSES-/250630640663?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Cars_Parts_Vehicles_Terminals_Cabling_ET&hash=item3a5ac01417)
You can get the add-a-circuit in the UK at the URL above. Do you have eBay in Greece?
Or here,
http://global.ebay.com/ADD_A_CIRCUIT_FUSE_HOLDER_10_amp_MINI_BLADE_FUSES/250623902455/item (http://global.ebay.com/ADD_A_CIRCUIT_FUSE_HOLDER_10_amp_MINI_BLADE_FUSES/250623902455/item)
As for a place to get the LEDs, Tomato soup has used these guys in the past with good results and they will ship for free to you. This cluster may not be as pretty but realistically no one is going to see it anyway. There are others on the site as well, some in different colours.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.34605 (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.34605)
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thx for the tips guys!
special thanx to DeepBlueGXP who offered to make this SO EASY for me!!!!!!
Kappaperformance. what a great place to be in!!
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Also Arabas, if you haven't yet bought your LEDs, I used these for my footwells (nice warmish light given they are white LEDs) and that will leave two more for "puddle" lights under your doors. From IKEA, which you can go and pick up!
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/70119425 (http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/70119425)
(That was the UK site, 'cos I can't read Greek! :) )
As Bob said, I got a lot of other LEDs from DealExtreme (trunk and hood and so on) and can recommend them. But the IKEA ones are finished and easily mountable, though probably far more expensive!
UPDATE: Darn, I guess they DONT have a site in Greece. So never mind. Back to what SlyBob said (ignore this post!) :banghead:
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TomatoSoup, i ve seen these leds in IKEA, but i think these are for home use (220-240V in Europe). so i don't think i could make them work with 12V...
i m looking for red light (or maybe cold white)..
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TomatoSoup, i ve seen these leds in IKEA, but i think these are for home use (220-240V in Europe). so i don't think i could make them work with 12V...
i m looking for red light (or maybe cold white)..
They are 12V and you can use them directly in your car (I know, I use them in mine :) ), they work off a transformer in your home. They may have blue as an option, but I don't think they have red. These are white LEDs, but just on the warmer side of the spectrum (not nearly as yellow as incandescents).
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Canadian Tire in Canada has the add a circuit module in their automotive section. They have a small selection of LED lights as well you might be able to use for the foot wells. I got some really nice ones from them but the were the last ones and the guy behind the counter said they wouldn't be getting anymore. It was a square module with 30 led's on it about 2*3, double sided tape , not overly bright, works great $19.99 a piece. The part number is 041-1527-4 at Cdn Tire if someone is looking for them. The 194 LED's for the map lights are available in Canada from these guys below, not cheap though as the shipping is $12, a rip off but probably cheaper than from the U.S.. I had the wire already , total the mod cost me about $70 Cdn.
http://www.lightdepot.ca/product_info.php?cPath=28_36&products_id=117 (http://www.lightdepot.ca/product_info.php?cPath=28_36&products_id=117)
Here is the pic now finished:
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/TecSolOnt/IMG_0515.jpg)
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The only problem with getting the "add-a-circuit" from CanTire is that they are WAY overpriced compared to say Sherco. Same goes for LEDs compared to say Oznium or SuperBrightLEDs.
Canadian Tire in Canada has the add a circuit module in their automotive section. They have a small selection of LED lights as well you might be able to use for the foot wells. I got some really nice ones from them but the were the last ones and the guy behind the counter said they wouldn't be getting anymore. It was a square module with 30 led's on it about 2*3, double sided tape , not overly bright, works great $19.99 a piece. The part number is 041-1527-4 at Cdn Tire if someone is looking for them. The 194 LED's for the map lights are available in Canada from these guys below, not cheap though as the shipping is $12, a rip off but probably cheaper than from the U.S.. I had the wire already , total the mod cost me about $70 Cdn.
http://www.lightdepot.ca/product_info.php?cPath=28_36&products_id=117 (http://www.lightdepot.ca/product_info.php?cPath=28_36&products_id=117)
I will post a pic once the map lights are in, just ordered them.
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The only problem with getting the "add-a-circuit" from CanTire is that they are WAY overpriced compared to say Sherco. Same goes for LEDs compared to say Oznium or SuperBrightLEDs
Don't know Sherco , are they online? The add a circuit at Cdn Tire was about $4, didn't seem that overpriced. I looked at SuperBrightLeds but they were in the U.S and shipping was prohibitive, cheaper thru the Cdn company. I'm sure if someone looks hard enough though they could find this stuff cheaper. I added the picture to my previous post now the lights are done, pretty happy with it, here it is again:
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/TecSolOnt/IMG_0515.jpg)
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Sly Bob,
I know it has been a long time since this subject has been addressed but I want to do as you said and install some footwell lights and puddle lights.
I just purchased a 2008 Solstice GXP with 14K miles. I didn't think it had an interior light and was going to add one then I saw your post. Turns out there was no fuse in the #27 in the panel. When I try installing one, as I start to push it in, there is a clicking like a relay and the lights flash on and off but once the fuse is seated the lights don't work, door or switch.
I can't tell where the clicking is coming from. What is inside the BCM could it be inside there that I have a problem?
Thanks
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You may have a short somewhere. Perhaps the previous owner 'modified' something and failed, leaving bad wiring somewhere. Probably why the fuse was removed. The symptom you describe sounds like the BCM is finding an over-current situation and disabling the circuit as protection.
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Thanks TomatoSoup,
You answered a similar question for me at solsticeforum. Not to quibble, if it was a short, wouldn't it blow the fuse? What is inside the BCM, I looked on the web but can't find anything but ones for sale. I am a retired aircraft mechanic but most of the aircraft I worked a bunch of years ago were little changed technically than the ones before WWII.
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The interior lights are controlled from the door latch mechanism. Perhaps one of them is bad.
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OK thanks to both of you. Now full disclosure, I am embarrassed now that I told you I was an aircraft mechanic, I really am but watch what follows.
When I got this car the interior map lights didn't work, first thing to do is check the fuse, didn't, assumed it must be the bulbs. Ordered LED bulbs and they must not be the right ones cause when I found the fuse missing and put in a new one it started the clicking and flickering. I just went out and removed the leds and installed the original bulbs, shazzam, lights work. Guess I have be retired toooooo long.
Still would like to know what is in the BCM.
Thanks, next time I will put on my thinking cap before I start a project, any project.
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The BCM (Body Control Module) is a combination of the fuses, relays and wiring connectors that you see on the top, along with a microcontroller circuit board inside. The controller handles all of the intelligence in the car, other than the engine controls that are handled by the ECM in the engine bay. So it deals with lights (external and internal), remote locking, gauge cluster (speedo etc), GMLAN and other stuff.
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TomatoSoup,
I tried to do the under dash install today and the add-a-circuit I used, it is a mini, works the lights in the mirror ok but the added circuit does not dim or go out as the mirror lights do. I didn't ground it to the ground shown in the pictures does it need to be?
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It's the ground side that dims the lights. That line actually goes from ground (lights ON) and the slowly up to 12V (lights off). So yes, you have to use the ground shown in the pictures.
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I'm resurrecting this thread to ask a question. Which mirror wires are used to turn the map lights on?
I've done the floor lighting and just for grins added led strips behind the seats and everything works great when the doors open. I'd like to install a switch to turn the lighting on without opening the doors.
I know I can eventually figure it out by shorting the mirror wiring but hope someone knows the answer and can save me a little time (and possibly some blown fuses).
Cheers!
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As I remember, the ground wire is what is switched so simply connecting that grey wire on the BCM connector to ground should turn in all the lights that are on that circuit.
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Hi all, I also posted over at the Solstice Forum, so sorry for those that see it on both sites but I'm having an issue after what I thought was a successful install.
So I finally got this mod finished, and it looks great... BUT... I'm having the issue of the lights coming back on very dim. I have an LED strip in each footwell, along with a strip illuminating my new wind deflector all connected to slot 27 with a fuse tap and the grey wire with one of those blue taps. Today when I went to start my car, the battery was dead. I was able to charge it, but now I noticed that hours after last opening my doors the wind deflector LED is still glowing lightly.
I also replaced my mirror lights with LEDs. I used the original 10 amp fuse and another 5 amp fuse in the fuse tap. Is the 5 amp fuse too much? I didn't think that really mattered.
I'm not exactly sure where to go from here since everything seems to be connected correctly. Edit: Just checked again and ONLY the wind deflector LEDs are still on.
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The lights in the mirror do always pass a small amount of current - enough to light LEDs dimly (not enough to light the original bulbs, but the current is still there). The fuse is just a protection device, smaller is better, but it won't make any difference to battery drain.
The issue may well be to do with how the wind deflector is wired. Power should be from an "accessory" source, only on when the car is on. You obviously have it powered from a battery source (always on). As such it can fool the battery drain circuit in the car to not turn off the supplies, and so drain your battery.
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The lights in the mirror do always pass a small amount of current - enough to light LEDs dimly (not enough to light the original bulbs, but the current is still there). The fuse is just a protection device, smaller is better, but it won't make any difference to battery drain.
The issue may well be to do with how the wind deflector is wired. Power should be from an "accessory" source, only on when the car is on. You obviously have it powered from a battery source (always on). As such it can fool the battery drain circuit in the car to not turn off the supplies, and so drain your battery.
The wind deflector is wired to the same wires as the footwell lights, but they are not on all the time. All three go to fuse 27 and the grey wire.
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Change your wind deflector 12V power to an accessory supply.
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I'm still trying to figure out why only the red LEDs come back on AFTER 10 minutes have passed since closing my doors, and how I might fix that.
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I had to install a solid state relay to control the circuit and cut off power.