Notices
Series I Tech Garage The place to discuss anything technical about the RX-8 that doesn't fit into any of the categories below.

Tapped footwell lights into wrong wire!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 08-23-2008, 11:40 PM
  #1  
What mawd bug?
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
tubingchamp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Surrey, B.C., Canada
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Tapped footwell lights into wrong wire!

So I just purchased the new RX8Strakes footwell LED lights.. Followed the instructions, it was daytime so i saw they worked and left it at that. Came outside later (when it was dark to check them out) and they were ON still! so i checked everything, all the lights.. Turns out I tapped the damn wire into the LEFT TURN SIGNAL wire... what a pain in the ***! So they're permanently on, and when i hit the left turn signal they both blink! It would be just fine and interesting if they would go OFF when the car was! I tapped the blue/yellow and green/black wire... Should it be a different one? and will the LEDS still drain the battery if the LEDs are in backwards? Thanks!
Old 08-24-2008, 12:11 AM
  #2  
Modulated Moderator
iTrader: (3)
 
dannobre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Smallville
Posts: 13,718
Received 334 Likes on 289 Posts
I have the manual with the wiring diagram if you want to borrow it
Old 08-24-2008, 01:00 AM
  #3  
Former Sponsor
 
RotaryFX.com's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Rancho Cordova, CA
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by tubingchamp
I tapped the blue/yellow and green/black wire... Should it be a different one?
Please check the included addendum instructions again (see colored pictures). I don't have them in front of me, but I believe the wires shown are "blue/red stripe" and "dark green/black stripe". Hope that helps!

-Dave
Old 08-24-2008, 04:20 AM
  #4  
What mawd bug?
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
tubingchamp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Surrey, B.C., Canada
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
that's what i meant... I did what the wiring diagram told me! Dan... MAYBE...
Old 08-24-2008, 10:39 AM
  #5  
Modulated Moderator
iTrader: (3)
 
dannobre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Smallville
Posts: 13,718
Received 334 Likes on 289 Posts
Gotta watch the directions...wiring colors are different in different model years

Better to follow the wires and see where they go We ran into this problem trying to install shock sensors

A good wire to use would be the one to the door lights.....you would have to figure out where it comes out of the Molex connector in the door and tap it there
Old 08-24-2008, 10:50 AM
  #6  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
NgoRX8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: CA, Rowland Hts.
Posts: 10,239
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
leds drain so little power but i wouldn't risk it or want them on all the time like that. Did you use wire taps? if so just unclip them and wrap electrical tape around the exposed wire.
Old 08-24-2008, 11:50 AM
  #7  
What mawd bug?
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
tubingchamp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Surrey, B.C., Canada
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Too bad it's raining today... grr don't really feel like sitting on the ground out there getting soaked trying to figure this out

Anybody that has a 2007 wiring diagram mind telling me which wires are for the MAP light units?
Old 08-24-2008, 12:00 PM
  #8  
Metatron
iTrader: (1)
 
StealthTL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: A Pacific Island.
Posts: 7,280
Received 173 Likes on 130 Posts
Why not just take power from the 'accessory' fuse in the footwell?

On and off with the ignition key, lots of spare capacity......

S
Old 08-24-2008, 01:09 PM
  #9  
What mawd bug?
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
tubingchamp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Surrey, B.C., Canada
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
What color wire is that tough on an 07?
Old 08-24-2008, 01:14 PM
  #10  
Metatron
iTrader: (1)
 
StealthTL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: A Pacific Island.
Posts: 7,280
Received 173 Likes on 130 Posts
Pull fuse, put wire in hole, put fuse back in......

S
Old 08-24-2008, 01:46 PM
  #11  
I zoom therefore I am.
 
laythor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 4,919
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
I had the same issue when I installed rotary rasp's footwell lamps... i think I posted which wire I used but for the life of me I can't remember which one it was.
Old 08-24-2008, 01:50 PM
  #12  
Modulated Moderator
iTrader: (3)
 
dannobre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Smallville
Posts: 13,718
Received 334 Likes on 289 Posts
When do you want them on...

Only when the door is open...or when the lights are on..or do you have them switched??

That will make a difference where you wire them
Old 08-25-2008, 07:29 AM
  #13  
Dial P for Phantom
iTrader: (1)
 
PBlue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: East Central Florida
Posts: 606
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
GREEN wire and DARK GREEN wire both have the same stripe on them and look nearly identical. Find both before you decide which is which. This is probably what you did wrong.
Old 08-25-2008, 08:48 AM
  #14  
What mawd bug?
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
tubingchamp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Surrey, B.C., Canada
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
PBlue-- yes probably... I will check it out today.. Although, there was something up last night when i drove my car... the DSC light was blinking and the traction loss (car with skid marks) symbol was lit up. I was going to the store and when i was on my way BACK from the store (after a shutoff and startup) the lights were off.. I broke traction just to see if it was ACTUALLY on and it was... Kind of strange..
Old 08-25-2008, 09:01 AM
  #15  
Metatron
iTrader: (1)
 
StealthTL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: A Pacific Island.
Posts: 7,280
Received 173 Likes on 130 Posts
Traction light is the first thing to respond to a loss of 12 volt power. Sounds like you have a loose pole connection at the battery.


S
Old 08-25-2008, 10:34 AM
  #16  
What mawd bug?
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
tubingchamp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Surrey, B.C., Canada
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Hmm, maybe the buddy that was with me put the neg wire on loosely... I should have double-checked that..
Old 08-25-2008, 08:13 PM
  #17  
What mawd bug?
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
tubingchamp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Surrey, B.C., Canada
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
So I swapped out the green/black with "dark green/black" (looks almost identical) and the lights are still on when i turn my damn car off and its locked and the door lights go out... WTF?

Dan: I want them on when the courtesy light/map lights come on... If not then DAMN I don't care I just want them to work without draining my battery..
Old 08-25-2008, 08:35 PM
  #18  
Modulated Moderator
iTrader: (3)
 
dannobre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Smallville
Posts: 13,718
Received 334 Likes on 289 Posts
I'll pull out the wiring dia....see what's up
Old 08-25-2008, 08:38 PM
  #19  
Former Sponsor
 
RotaryFX.com's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Rancho Cordova, CA
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by tubingchamp
So I swapped out the green/black with "dark green/black" (looks almost identical) and the lights are still on when i turn my damn car off and its locked and the door lights go out... WTF?

Dan: I want them on when the courtesy light/map lights come on... If not then DAMN I don't care I just want them to work without draining my battery..
PLEASE refer to the color illustrations that came with the kit. Check that you are tapping into the correct colored wires AND check that you are tapping into the correct wiring harness (sounds like you might be using the wrong one - the one to the left which has the same color wires will cause the lights to be on all the time.

-Dave
Old 08-25-2008, 08:50 PM
  #20  
What mawd bug?
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
tubingchamp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Surrey, B.C., Canada
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Yeah, I followed the diagram, but it's still difficult to tell because the pictures are taken in such an enclosed area... I'm supposed to go up ABOVE the taped part ABOVE the white harness?
Old 08-26-2008, 07:57 AM
  #21  
Dial P for Phantom
iTrader: (1)
 
PBlue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: East Central Florida
Posts: 606
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
ill try and go in and take a picture of mine later, after work. i didnt get mine from strakes.com but it's the same wires.
Old 08-28-2008, 07:35 PM
  #22  
Registered
 
tdill88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I just ordered the same thing, does anyone know how much more difficult it would be to tap them into my parking lights? or headlights? Do those wires run though that area? If so anyone know what colors I'm looking for? If not how much extra work is putting in my own switch?
Old 09-29-2008, 03:08 PM
  #23  
Registered User
 
Lane's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Welches, OR
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
http://www.modifiedlife.com/2007-maz...iring-diagram/

Website I used to find wires to installing my "homebrew" footwell lights. I can take pictures of mine tonight if nobody gets there's posted.

-Lane
Old 09-29-2008, 03:33 PM
  #24  
Surf Hard, Drive Hard
 
Mazurfer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Indialantic, Florida
Posts: 7,840
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 9 Posts
Yes, you have to be careful about the wires.
Typically something like red/blue means it's a red wire with a blue stripe. Where blue/red means it's a blue wire with a red stripe. The first is always the primary color. Anyway, I might still have the original Mazda instructions from the footwell lights and I'll see if I can dig them up when I get home if you still need them. I eventually took those out, but connected my footwells in the same place.

If you go see Rodgers thread about "footwell lights"(do a search), I think it was discussed in there at length(with pictures).
Old 09-29-2008, 10:40 PM
  #25  
Brad
 
bdeitemeyer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm experiencing similar difficulties. The wires I was instructed to use for my footwell lights aren't in the same pins as the pictures I've been shown. Apparently Mazda has changed wire colors each year from what I've been reading.

I'm trying to wire into the foglights, low beams, or something similar so that I could have them on at night while driving (as opposed to door lights where they'd shut off once I close the doors). Any suggestions? It's difficult to take pictures of the area underneath the dash where the wires are located (no light, my DSLR doesn't want to snap a pic), but I'll try again tomorrow morning to post up the 09 wiring.


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

Quick Reply: Tapped footwell lights into wrong wire!



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:52 AM.