Notices
Series I Do It Yourself Forum Wanna save some coin or time/money in the shop? Read up on Do-It-Yourself custom mods and repairs & post your own here.

DIY: Footwell lights

Thread Tools
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jun 2, 2010 | 04:59 PM
  #26  
BuddyHolly's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, California
OR Lights wont come on but i think i got the right bundle

I did the driver side install this morning but with not so good results. I wasn't able to get the lights to come on and when i turned on the car the "dsc" icon was flashing and the "car with squiggly lines" (TCS) icon was on. The dsc icon went off after driving but the tcs icon stayed on. I tried reversing the polarity by plugging the black connector upside down but no success. I also tried plugging the connector into the other side of the led bar and a different led bar but still nothing and doesn't blink with turn signals either. I'm pretty sure i got the right bundle and have attached two pictures of the install. I hope i just made a stupid mistake and its an easy fix
Attached Thumbnails DIY: Footwell lights-2010-06-02-14.27.16.jpg   DIY: Footwell lights-2010-06-02-14.28.31.jpg  
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2010 | 06:35 PM
  #27  
Aipex8's Avatar
X e p i A
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 5
From: Vancouver, WA
Another idea is to use multiple strips wired for different senarios. I have white LEDs wired up like this DIY and red ones tapped into the ashtray light (so it will fade with the interior light fader ****) that are always on with the lights.

Doors open:
Name:  DSC_0020.jpg
Views: 1141
Size:  107.0 KB

Doors open, lights on:
Name:  DSC_0022.jpg
Views: 1114
Size:  105.0 KB

Lights on:
Name:  DSC_0025.jpg
Views: 1046
Size:  37.8 KB
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2010 | 07:20 PM
  #28  
AJRx892's Avatar
Registered
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: atlanta georgia
i have blue ones under the seats pointing back and under the dash on both sides. i love them and i tapped the cigarette lights in the middle of the center console so they are on all the time until i turn them off.
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2010 | 11:30 PM
  #29  
EMart11b's Avatar
Bang Bang
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 779
Likes: 2
From: Morgantown, WV
Originally Posted by BuddyHolly
I did the driver side install this morning but with not so good results. I wasn't able to get the lights to come on and when i turned on the car the "dsc" icon was flashing and the "car with squiggly lines" (TCS) icon was on. The dsc icon went off after driving but the tcs icon stayed on. I tried reversing the polarity by plugging the black connector upside down but no success. I also tried plugging the connector into the other side of the led bar and a different led bar but still nothing and doesn't blink with turn signals either. I'm pretty sure i got the right bundle and have attached two pictures of the install. I hope i just made a stupid mistake and its an easy fix
When you unplug the battery the TCS/DSC lights come on and all you need to do to turn them off is turn the wheel all the way to the right and then to the left or opposite it doesn't matter. If they don't come on when the doors are open you tapped the wrong wires.
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2010 | 12:58 AM
  #30  
BuddyHolly's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, California
Thanks for TCS/DSC Info

Originally Posted by EMart11b
When you unplug the battery the TCS/DSC lights come on and all you need to do to turn them off is turn the wheel all the way to the right and then to the left or opposite it doesn't matter. If they don't come on when the doors are open you tapped the wrong wires.
Thanks for the TCS/DSC info, i had the battery off while doing the wiring cause I'm paranoid like that. The icons turned off by the time i drove it again. I guess ill just have to look from more wires with the same color scheme or tap into the ash tray light. I like that you can dim them with the dimmer.
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2010 | 03:58 PM
  #31  
Blazed's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
I did this install today but my footwell lights are always on, they dont fade in and out with the door. Does anyone know why?

I tapped the green wire with a black line and the blue wire with a red line from the bundle that comes from the door. I tried switching polarities and they do not work at all. Any ideas?
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2010 | 04:15 PM
  #32  
laythor's Avatar
I zoom therefore I am.
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,919
Likes: 12
From: San Jose, CA
depending on the year of the 8 the colors can be different for the wires. I would suggest looking in the other loom, behind the one you used for the blue/red wire, there should be another blue/red wire in it, try tapping that one.
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2010 | 04:24 PM
  #33  
Blazed's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Thanks for the quick reply.

After partially removing the door panel and looking at the wires behind the light, I realized I tapped one wrong wire. The wire I needed to tap was a DARK green with a black stripe. I tapped a light green wire with a black stripe. I should have realized because the light green wire is ticker than the dark green and blue.

Oh, and for anyone wondering, the blue wire with a red stripe is positive and the dark green wire with a black strip is negative.
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2010 | 04:25 PM
  #34  
laythor's Avatar
I zoom therefore I am.
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,919
Likes: 12
From: San Jose, CA
glad you got it worked out
Reply
Old Jun 28, 2010 | 10:20 PM
  #35  
Figs's Avatar
Auto to manual swapped
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 462
Likes: 1
From: Central Cali
Hmmm

Something tells me I did it wrong, coulda swore I got it right but :/ the footwells turn off when I open the doors and the interior lights don't turn off...any ideas where I went wrong?
Reply
Old Jul 20, 2010 | 03:50 PM
  #36  
maskedferret's Avatar
Oooh, shiny!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 908
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis, MO
Originally Posted by Aipex8
Another idea is to use multiple strips wired for different senarios. I have white LEDs wired up like this DIY and red ones tapped into the ashtray light (so it will fade with the interior light fader ****) that are always on with the lights.

Doors open:


Doors open, lights on:


Lights on:
I really like this idea. Could you post pictures of your mounting solution?
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2010 | 03:08 AM
  #37  
dohon's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
is the LB3 Series LED Light Bar my only option? It seems that it is now considered a "Closeout Item" and the only color options are Warm White & Green.


Any alternatives? Thanks!
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2010 | 01:25 PM
  #38  
Blazed's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Originally Posted by dohon
is the LB3 Series LED Light Bar my only option? It seems that it is now considered a "Closeout Item" and the only color options are Warm White & Green.


Any alternatives? Thanks!
Any led bar/strip will work.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2010 | 10:19 PM
  #39  
dohon's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Originally Posted by Blazed
Any led bar/strip will work.

Awesome; thanks!!
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2010 | 06:19 PM
  #40  
TickleMeMazda's Avatar
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Cheshire, MA
awsome DIY came in lots of handy
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2010 | 03:32 PM
  #41  
Dr.Chil's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
From: League City, TX
I was wondering if anyone knew how to wire the footwell lights so that they can operate with a 'on/off/door' switch like some of the other interior lights. Was think of putting switch by the DSC button and interior light fader.
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2010 | 02:16 PM
  #42  
dohon's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Originally Posted by Dr.Chil
I was wondering if anyone knew how to wire the footwell lights so that they can operate with a 'on/off/door' switch like some of the other interior lights. Was think of putting switch by the DSC button and interior light fader.
would love to know this as well; thanks in advance!
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2010 | 10:27 PM
  #43  
Dr.Chil's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
From: League City, TX
Got it all done! Run a power from the door directly to the lights. have the ground from the door and a constant ground on opposite ends of a on-off-on switch with the ground for the lights in the middle. And then there you have it! a switch that will allow you to operate your footwell lights as running lights, with the doors, or not at all. Here's the thread with switch details. https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/3-way-light-switch-wiring-205144/
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2010 | 02:26 AM
  #44  
dohon's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Originally Posted by Dr.Chil
Got it all done! Run a power from the door directly to the lights. have the ground from the door and a constant ground on opposite ends of a on-off-on switch with the ground for the lights in the middle. And then there you have it! a switch that will allow you to operate your footwell lights as running lights, with the doors, or not at all. Here's the thread with switch details. https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=205144

Had the chance to read it! What's the switch called? Also, some pics would be awesome!!
Reply
Old Oct 3, 2010 | 12:10 PM
  #45  
dohon's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Originally Posted by Blazed
I did this install today but my footwell lights are always on, they dont fade in and out with the door. Does anyone know why?

I tapped the green wire with a black line and the blue wire with a red line from the bundle that comes from the door. I tried switching polarities and they do not work at all. Any ideas?

I ran into the same problem; my TCS light turned on & the lights were on constantly (even when the car is off & doors locked) . I double checked to make sure i have the DARK green with Black & Blue with red. Any Ideas?

FYI: '05 Model
Reply
Old Oct 3, 2010 | 07:15 PM
  #46  
BuddyHolly's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, California
Originally Posted by dohon
I ran into the same problem; my TCS light turned on & the lights were on constantly (even when the car is off & doors locked) . I double checked to make sure i have the DARK green with Black & Blue with red. Any Ideas?

FYI: '05 Model
I had the same thing happen to me when i tried to tap into the door light but haven't pursued a solution since i was working on the passenger side and already have a light on the driver side connected to the ashtray light. I also have an '05 which could be the connection. A note on the ash tray light connection, as the ashtray and interior light dims the floor light gets brighter.
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2010 | 01:59 AM
  #47  
Rotary Rasp's Avatar
503wtq Boosted Bimmer
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, California
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-rotary-rasps-footwell-lights-leaked-205831/

Install guide ^
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2010 | 02:24 PM
  #48  
dntsan's Avatar
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area, CA
Is there a alternative LED bar from the site that works with this guide? They are out of red.
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2010 | 08:24 PM
  #49  
dohon's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Originally Posted by dntsan
Is there a alternative LED bar from the site that works with this guide? They are out of red.
Mmm..have you tried :

http://www.v-leds.com/ ? Just search "LED STRIP" and it'll take you to it!
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2010 | 01:11 PM
  #50  
makristal's Avatar
Sunlight Silver Bias
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 0
From: Kirkland, WA
Silly question, but what lights are these connecting to? I usually keep my dome light off even when the door is open. I wanted to try to connect these to the courtesy lights so that they went on when those did also.

Maybe I'm wrong in thinking that I would have to have the dome lights ON in order for the footwell lights to turn on as well.

Sorry for the silly question, just trying to get it sorted out :-D
Reply


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:12 PM.