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best way to run a wire from the front bumper to driver

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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 04:21 PM
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best way to run a wire from the front bumper to driver

I want to try to rig up a front accent light like this one:

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1119324789

The key is that I DO NOT want to tap into the driver fuse box. So what is the best way to get power for a small LED light like this? and what is the best way to run a wire to that source and eventually wire it to a switch in one of the blanks on the left of the driver?

P.S. Not interested in drilling holes if at all possible.
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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 05:06 PM
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Run it through a small little hole located below to the left of the windshield washer reservoir.. into the cabin and I guess use the cigarette lighter circuit for power.
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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 06:20 PM
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The problem is that I need it on the driver's side for the switch.

I am surprised no one else has come up with an answer. It seems like someone must have done something like this.

What about the hood release wire? Could I squeeze a wire in that hole?
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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 06:26 PM
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Theres a gum shield lower than the brake cylinder. Some wires pass there, you can find it looking on the upper left of your clutch pedal.
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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 06:36 PM
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Yes, I see it. but how the hell do I get into that. Looks very locked down. Do you have any experience with it?
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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 07:09 PM
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just tap into your fog light wires. then it will go on and off with the fogs
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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 07:22 PM
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yes, while that would work (even though I don't have fog lights) I could tap into the parking lights.

But the issue is that I have not decided on a green or white light. Both of which could potentially be illegal (white b/c it gives off a blueish tint). So then if I were to get pulled over, I could flip the switch and no one would be the wiser. But if I turned my lights off, it would be obvious...

Not sure if it is illegal, just being safe.
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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 08:27 PM
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its ok to have white i belive but every state varys.
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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 08:33 PM
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oh but you see. The green is sooo pretty.

so anyway. Has anyone been able to figure out how to get a wire though this gum shield?

By looking at it I don't see how it is possible to even get it off.
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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 08:33 PM
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Do you have heated seats?? You can run the wire under the car up through the shift boot and use the passenger heated seat switch.
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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 08:53 PM
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no ( I don't. But even if I did I think I'd still want to be able to use that switch.

Any other ideas?
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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 09:17 PM
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Okay, so another idea dawned on me.

I can wire a white LED or neon tube or w/e to the parking lights.
But here is where it gets complicated.

I want to also put a green LED in that I control with a switch from the inside. I want it to be that neither of the lights are on unless the parking lights are on. But if the parking lights are on the white light comes on, but if I flip the switch, the white goes off, and green comes on.

Ha, I know this is complicated. But I also know that it can be done.
I just can't think of the wiring config in my head

Any ideas or suggestions?
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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 09:28 PM
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Okay, I believe I figured out what I am going to do.

It is possible if there is a switch that has a power connector, and two outputs.
The switch is always giving power to one output.
The parking lights would be the power source, so there is only power when they are on, and then the switch will flip between green or white.

Does a switch like this exist? Anyone know if an auto parts store would have one?
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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 09:38 PM
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I will answer my question yet again.

an SPDT swtich (single pole, double throw)

allows an incoming power source, and can be flipped up or down to select which output to go to.
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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 09:47 PM
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$5, Radio Shack.

To get thru the rubber grommet you poke a sharpened end of a coathanger thru till it shows on the other side, then tape the wire to it and pull it on thru.

S
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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 09:56 PM
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when you say rubber grommet, you mean the thing around the hood wire?

Also, does anyone know what types of LED's would be best for this ( brightness wise and bear in mind I am wiring to parking lights, so I assume the power consumption would matter as well?
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Old Jan 28, 2009 | 02:32 AM
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StealthTL is right, i was sleeping.. excuse me if i didn't reply
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Old Jan 28, 2009 | 02:38 AM
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wait what is he right about?
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Old Jan 28, 2009 | 02:40 AM
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poke\drill through it with something
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Old Jan 28, 2009 | 02:46 AM
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oh ya. I am planning on doing that.

But I am not sure how to wire it. Get a quick splice and tap into the parking light power? But what kind of wire should I use to wire the LED's to the driver's seat and then back to the front bumper?
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Old Jan 28, 2009 | 03:51 AM
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Splice into the parking light power (at the front fusebox because that's where the light power is) using a FUSED splice.

Run your new power to your new light, and run the GROUND wire thru the firewall, to the switch, to ground in dash.

Simple, one wire, and that's how everything else is wired.....
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Old Jan 28, 2009 | 11:13 AM
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Hmm. Okay, first. I am not familiar with a lot of wiring stuff. So what is a fused splice?

And, I want to have a switch in the dash that can flip between both lights. So the power will go there first, then back out. so the ground will just go somewhere else.
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