DIY: Footwell lights
06-02-2010, 04:59 PM
#26
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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 
06-02-2010, 06:35 PM
#27
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:
Doors open:
Doors open, lights on:
Lights on:
06-02-2010, 07:20 PM
#28
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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.
06-02-2010, 11:30 PM
#29
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
06-03-2010, 12:58 AM
#30
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Thanks for TCS/DSC Info
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.
06-06-2010, 03:58 PM
#31
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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 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?
06-06-2010, 04:15 PM
#32
I zoom therefore I am.
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.
06-06-2010, 04:24 PM
#33
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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.
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.
06-28-2010, 10:20 PM
#35
Auto to manual swapped
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?
07-20-2010, 03:50 PM
#36
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:
Doors open:
Doors open, lights on:
Lights on:
08-17-2010, 03:08 AM
#37
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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 alternatives? Thanks!
08-17-2010, 01:25 PM
#38
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09-08-2010, 03:32 PM
#41
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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.
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09-12-2010, 02:16 PM
#42
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would love to know this as well; thanks in advance!
09-23-2010, 10:27 PM
#43
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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/
09-24-2010, 02:26 AM
#44
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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!!
10-03-2010, 12:10 PM
#45
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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 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
10-03-2010, 07:15 PM
#46
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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.
10-09-2010, 08:24 PM
#49
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10-18-2010, 01:11 PM
#50
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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
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