Footwell Lighting [Archive] - GRRRR8.net

Hoosier G8

11-26-2009, 01:41 PM

Here is how I connected lighting for foot well and other interior lighting on my car. First off I have a 08 G8 with the V6 3.6 engine so I am not sure if all of these images are going to be exactly the same on your car. Secondly you are working with the BCM (Body Control Module) on your vehicle and a word of caution as a mistake can cause serious and expensive damage if you are not careful where you make connections. I highly recommend using a 5amp fuse at the point where you make your splice to protect the circuit. The connection you are hooking to has a 10amp fuse so if you develop a short it will be protected by using the 5amp.

By connecting to the wire I am using I am able to get my LED's to dim off just as the dome light does. I have not installed any yet as I want to use 9' led strips and I had to order them but the led light I had hooked did dim out as I expected. I also have some led lights to install under the door panels to provide light when opening the door. You will see images of the parts I have in this post.

The BCM's on my car are located under the kick panel by the steering column on the right hand side above the foot feed. They should all be in a row I have 8 total I think. They are hard to get to as you need to basically lay on your back to see and work and there is not a lot of room. I used a wire splice to access the wire and I had to eventually peel away some of the wire covering to get the splice to make contact.

To begin you need to remove the kick panel under the dash on the driver side. Note in image you only have to remove on screw from the ODB port. The panel will then pull down with some force applied but be careful not to break any of the plastic pins.

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd347/HoosierGXP/ODBport.jpg

This is an image of the kick panel after removal

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd347/HoosierGXP/kickpanle.jpg

After kick panel is off you should be able to see the row of BCM connections, mine look like this and you can see my splice in this image.

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd347/HoosierGXP/BCMview.jpg

This image shows the wire on my car that you need to splice to. This wire is blue and white and it is in socket 5. be careful as there is a similar wire in this same area. To test to see if this is the same wire you need use a test light and with the door open and the dome light on see if you show power at this wire. If you have power add your splice and then wire in a test led close the doors and see if it goes off when the dome light does. If it does then you have the correct wire.

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd347/HoosierGXP/BCM2Wirelocation.jpg

You will find there is little room to work in here and as I stated earlier I had to remove some of the wire covering to get my spice to make connection so make double sure before cutting that it is the correct wire by using the test light.

I would recommend again placing your fuse close to this point for the added protection. Remember to place it where you can access it without having to remove the kick panel.

These next set of images show you how to access the dome light and find the proper wire there. I would strongly suggest accessing this and find the wire shown in the next picture before trying to access the wire at the BCM. If it is the same color as mine (Blue/White) then there is a strong chance you will have the same wire as mine on the BCM.

To access the dome light I recommend a flat head screw driver and be careful not to damage the head liner. Remove the screw from inside the sun glass tray (it requires a tork bit screw driver)and then pry down on the front as shown in this image. Pry from this end only as the back has hooks shown in third image.

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd347/HoosierGXP/domescrew.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd347/HoosierGXP/domelightaccess.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd347/HoosierGXP/2nddomelightview.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd347/HoosierGXP/Domelightconnection.jpg

Remember if you make a connection here that the plug must remain plugged in as shown for any splice to work. I would recommend an additional 5amp fuse here if you do splice.

Here is the wiring diagram for the BCM with the connection names and positions. Again this is for my car and yours may be different.

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd347/HoosierGXP/BCMX2Wiring.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd347/HoosierGXP/BCMX2plug.jpg

I replaced the dome light clear bulbs with these.

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd347/HoosierGXP/redbulb.jpg

Also you can make your own fuse holder by using two female slide connectors. This picture shows you how I did mine but I recommend using the insulated ones to keep from shorting out if they come in contact with a ground source I used my last two insulated to do mine so this is just for showing you how to make it.

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd347/HoosierGXP/Slideterminals.jpg

Modhauler

11-26-2009, 03:20 PM

Very nice write up and "Thanks" for using pics. Look forward to seeing your interior lighting when done.

TomPierce

11-26-2009, 04:08 PM

Good second post! Welcome - you should feel right at home here.

Kermit

11-26-2009, 04:33 PM

GRRRR8 write up! I hope everything works out the way you plan for it to.

Side note: Do you have any idea how to make power remain at the sunroof after removing the key but before opening any doors? Kind of like what the radio and windows do?

Hoosier G8

11-26-2009, 06:20 PM

Hoosier G8

11-26-2009, 09:07 PM

Wired the lights in the footwell tonight and they look great..............will have to see if I can "tone down" the brightness of the dome light though.

I used a 9' red led strip on both the driver and passenger side.

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd347/HoosierGXP/footwell2.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd347/HoosierGXP/footwell1.jpg

I will work on entry lights later and post picks then.

Bretz56

11-27-2009, 09:55 AM

Looks sweet!! Great write up

Hoosier G8

11-27-2009, 10:48 AM

Here is an update on my install:

I replaced the dome light clear bulbs with these. I will try and post some pic's tonight when it is dark.

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd347/HoosierGXP/redbulb.jpg

Also you can make your own fuse holder by using two female slide connectors. This picture shows you how I did mine but I recommend using the insulated ones to keep from shorting out if they come in contact with a ground source I used my last two insulated to do mine so this is just for showing you how to make it.

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd347/HoosierGXP/Slideterminals.jpg

Hoosier G8

11-27-2009, 07:59 PM

Replaced the bulbs in the dome lights front and back. Here is finished night image. The image does not do the actual lighting justice but I am very happy with the out come of the project.

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd347/HoosierGXP/domeandfootwell.jpg

Modhauler

11-28-2009, 05:44 AM

Hoosier G8

11-28-2009, 07:09 AM

Looks cool! (hot?) lol How bright are they with the dash lit up? Can you find anything in the console? Don't get me wrong, I like the look, but I also like to see what I'm looking for. :) I went back to white from blue in my car just for that reason and then added a light in the console. Nice job on it! Now I have another project on the list for this winter.

We drove the car last night I haven't tried to find anything in the console but I will give it a look tonight. I also noticed that if I turn on the dome light the footwell lights also come on.

NYG8GT

11-28-2009, 07:26 AM

I had a red dome light in my old GP GTX and I hated it, couldn't ever see shit with it on. Looks cool, but definitely not usable.

Hoosier G8

11-28-2009, 06:06 PM

I had a red dome light in my old GP GTX and I hated it, couldn't ever see shit with it on. Looks cool, but definitely not usable.

Originally Posted by Modhauler View Post
Looks cool! (hot?) lol How bright are they with the dash lit up? Can you find anything in the console? Don't get me wrong, I like the look, but I also like to see what I'm looking for. I went back to white from blue in my car just for that reason and then added a light in the console. Nice job on it! Now I have another project on the list for this winter.

Had the car out tonight and yes I can see in the console with no problem. I was also easily able to read the owners manual so all I can say is maybe this is a brighter red bulb than ones you may have tried.
The light is by now way over powering and I am really happy with the final result.
I took a couple of shots but with the night time setting my hand needs to be a little more steady so sorry for the blurriness but as you can see there is ample light. The second shot was taken with the book laying on the shifter console.

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd347/HoosierGXP/nightshot2.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd347/HoosierGXP/nightshot.jpg

iceman2210

11-29-2009, 01:38 PM

nice.... I like the effect. I would love to see that in blue.

dukeofpg

11-30-2009, 03:32 PM

Thanks for the write up. Your info about the wire location is spot on for the GT also. Check the pics. Also, if anyone does this mod be careful when pulling off the kick panels. I broke one clip on the passenger side front. They are not very durable.

Sycosis

01-03-2010, 07:50 AM

Nice job. Thanks for sharing.

-Ray-

01-03-2010, 08:27 AM

Nice job. Thanks for sharing.

Is your next post going to be in the For Sale forum? LOL
It gets a little bothersome to check new posts and find 20 old posts bumped.

Remikinz

03-07-2010, 11:32 AM

bookmarking this for later use... thanks for the write up... I get scared when it comes to wiring lol

Panzer Leader

03-07-2010, 05:26 PM

bookmarking this for later use... thanks for the write up... I get scared when it comes to wiring lol

Would like a better white light bulb than stock. I would like the red bulbs in the map light, at least on the driver side. And yes, I think the red footwell lights are great.Wish we had a vendor that could do all the electrical stuff at the Meet.

kje141

03-08-2010, 12:45 PM

Do both LED strips get spliced into the same Bue/White wire and both covered by the same 5 amp fuse?

r33pwrd

03-08-2010, 12:57 PM

Is your next post going to be in the For Sale forum? LOL
It gets a little bothersome to check new posts and find 20 old posts bumped.

Ray he could have asked the question and not used the search button though :thumbsup:

norm8332

03-08-2010, 12:57 PM

Do both LED strips get spliced into the same Bue/White wire and both covered by the same 5 amp fuse?

I am doing it that way.

TurboMike

03-08-2010, 02:30 PM

Do both LED strips get spliced into the same Bue/White wire and both covered by the same 5 amp fuse?

Yep.

fredl11

03-09-2010, 08:39 AM

on the footwell. The Dome light scared the crap out of me!! But I did do both Domes,Trunk and the lights for footwell I used on the License plate.

Once my huevos regrow I will attempt the footwell! :)

Mav

03-09-2010, 08:49 AM

Very cool. Not sure I will ever do it, but marking it for future use anywho. :D

I12XLR8

08-17-2011, 10:22 AM

Perfect! Just what I was looking for! Thanks, Schwartz, for pointing us in the right direction and Hoosier, for putting this together!

I12XLR8

08-17-2011, 10:39 AM

I forgot to ask...has everyone else doing this mod found that the blue and white wire is correct? And that the BCM module is the same on the V6 as the V8? I can only imagine that they are but hearing it would make me feel better!

I12XLR8

08-27-2011, 09:01 AM

OK. Checked it out myself using Hoosier's instructions and the Blue/White wire is correct in my case as well. Hope to do the install sometime today...

I12XLR8

08-27-2011, 09:03 AM

Sorry to post again - where did you ground the circuit to?

I12XLR8

09-05-2011, 05:33 PM

Finished this myself using this thread (and some random ground I found). Very easy and compliments the LED interior lights very nicely.

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j419/thisismyspace2/HID%20and%20LED%20G8%20lighting/IMG00259-20110827-2334.jpg

Eidolon

09-05-2011, 06:34 PM

Photo's not working here, either. :) But I'm definitely going to have to do this. It'd be nice not to have to hunt in my footwells at night.

I12XLR8

09-06-2011, 03:38 AM

Photo's not working here, either. :) But I'm definitely going to have to do this. It'd be nice not to have to hunt in my footwells at night.

Sorry again! I was cleaning up Photobucket and must have renamed the picture.

I put the lights in just so I could see down there...the new overhead LED's are great but still didn't light them up. Some guys have put these on a seperate switch/circuit so they can be on all the time but that wasn't my goal.

djerickd

09-06-2011, 08:11 AM

where would I splice into if I wanted to have footwell LED's on whenever the ignition is set to ON?

I12XLR8

09-06-2011, 08:36 AM

where would I splice into if I wanted to have footwell LED's on whenever the ignition is set to ON?

Check out the first post and the pin chart he supplied. On a quick glance I would suggest the Instrument cluster pin but those with more experience fooling around in there might say otherwise.

You might also be able to use this post http://forum.grrrr8.net/showthread.php?t=239&p=1129&viewfull=1#post1129 to tie into the ambient light sensor (?!?!?!) That might only turn the LED's on when it gets dark (although the instrument cluster pin might do that do...)

TurboMike

09-07-2011, 08:12 AM

where would I splice into if I wanted to have footwell LED's on whenever the ignition is set to ON?

cig lighter