I am going to install a little automotive LED in my cup-holders somewhere and add a switch in the cup-holder as well.

I am not sure where to tap into power though. I want either always on, or with parking/headlights, don't really care.

I want the closest power source, as to avoid messy wiring going all around the car.

 

What will the switch be for?

 

To turn the cup holder lights I am going to put in on.

To further clarify. I want either always hot power or when the lights are on power, going into a switch, which controls the lights. Because I won't need them unless it is dark, in which case my lights will be on.

The switch will be something like this one:

 

Try tapping into the power supply for the cigarette lighter illumination bulb. Although you won't be able to dim you probably don't dim the dash lights anyway.

 

dim? like I would dim lights in a house?

This is strictly on off. So I am not worried about dimming.
Ya, that was my first thought for power, Might also do cigarette lighter right next to it.

 

Cigarette lighter would be a better choice as it can handle the current except that it is key-on power and not light-on power. On the other hand, if you are good with wire-tracing you could run a line to the power supply side of the foglights before the foglight switch.

 

i'd ask why you're putting a light in the cup holder but i'm too high on vicodin atm to car

 

So he doesn't spill his drink trying to put it back in the cup holder!

 

this would fall under the illuminated shift **** in terms of usefullness. do you really look at the cup holder as your putting a cup in it or just feel it with your hand?

 

no I put things like my wallet, phone and other stuff in there and and at night it is sometimes difficult to find my phone when it rings, when driving.

also because...
I can.

 

might run a strand of E.L. wire then... comes in a bunch of colors and takes up no space.

 

1) I had the illuminated shift **** and it was a rare "bling" item I put on my car.
2) Me, I know where the cup holder is so I can slide the cup right on in without seeing it or feeling around for it. That comes with maturity.

 

well I know where the cup holder is, I also know where the road is, yet there are still lights there. Why bother have map lights? or an illuminated stereo.

Does it really matter why I want to do it?

anyways, thanks for the suggestion on the wire.

 

Alex, we are just messing with you a bit since the point has been made and laythor is on Vicodin while I am just getting started with Jack.

Seriously, all I/we care is that you do whatever mods you want in a safe and proper manner.

 

Take power from the red/yellow wire at the ashtray illumination lamp. Ground it to the other wire at the ashtray, the one with a green stripe, no other wires will let you dim with the dash lights.

You probably know that the system uses a dimmer on the ground line, not on the power line.

S

 

Well good, no hard feelings then.