View Full Version : Help installing interior led in footwells
Berry2313 10-02-2009, 04:23 AM Hey guys, first post lol... anyways I need some help!
I am completely clueless on cars, I will be the first to admit but I have been making some mods to my 06 silver tC in the last 2 weeks and I am loving my interior. There is one more thing I want to do in my tC and that is blue led lighting in the footwells. I contacted the dealership and they want $390 to install them which I feel is completely insane.
I was wondering if someone could help me with the wiring of the leds to a power source. If possible, I would like them to be controlled by my headlights (headlights on, underglow on, headlights off, underglow off). I dont know any car lingo either so if you could keep it simple that would be appreciated lol. I feel like I could figure out how to mount them and hide the wiring, but I dont have any clue on how to power them. I thank you in advance for any help you guys can give me. THANKS!! :bow:
UTI_superwhite 10-02-2009, 06:29 AM probly the easiest way would be to just get a switch from oznium.com they fit right into the switch blanks to the left of the stearing wheel and then just run a positive 18 gauge wire from your battery then find a ground inside the car somewhere. That would probly be the easiest way i could think of. let me know if you have questions.
DJ08tC 10-02-2009, 06:32 AM please run a fuse on that wire if you do that.
Berry2313 10-02-2009, 07:19 AM probly the easiest way would be to just get a switch from oznium.com they fit right into the switch blanks to the left of the stearing wheel and then just run a positive 18 gauge wire from your battery then find a ground inside the car somewhere. That would probly be the easiest way i could think of. let me know if you have questions.
Thanks for responses so far. How would I hook the switch up so it would work with the LEDs? Where do you suggest grounding the negative end of the wire assuming i run positive to the positive on my battery? How do I connect the wire on the LED's to the 18 gauge wire that will be ran to my battery? I told you im clueless lol.
DJ08tC 10-02-2009, 07:20 AM Did you get single leds or did you get the bar style
Berry2313 10-02-2009, 07:39 AM Did you get single leds or did you get the bar style
got 2 19 inch bar style LEDs off oznium.com for driver and passenger footwells.
DJ08tC 10-02-2009, 07:50 AM Will 19" tube even fit?
Berry2313 10-02-2009, 08:00 AM Will 19" tube even fit?
From what i gathered that is the standard size to get, there is a 9.5 inch one i could get, should I get that one instead? Worried about it not being bright enough.
DJ08tC 10-02-2009, 08:05 AM I would have picked up there cathode kit, you can get 2 12" cathodes with the transformer, then all you would need is the switch. You would need some extra wire.to run the positive from the switch to the battery.
Berry2313 10-02-2009, 08:10 AM I would have picked up there cathode kit, you can get 2 12" cathodes with the transformer, then all you would need is the switch. You would need some extra wire.to run the positive from the switch to the battery.
Ok, I will probably do that then, sounds easier. So when I get this, how do I connect all these wires and where do you suggest I ground? I have no idea what Im doing but I refuse to pay 400 dollars for something that could cost me like $60. Have you done this/ do you have a DIY for something like this?
DJ08tC 10-02-2009, 08:17 AM I did it in my old car. There is a ground on the passenger side under the carpet near the end of the center console, that should be good. Somebody might know a better place. Then I believe you run the power wire from the transformer to the switch and then from the switch to the battery but I good be wrong, it has been awhile. I think that is it. Make sure you have some kind of fuse between the battery and the switch so if something messes up it wont start a fire.
Heres the kit, then just go to the scion part and get the switch.
http://www.oznium.com/cathode-kit
Berry2313 10-02-2009, 08:24 AM I did it in my old car. There is a ground on the passenger side under the carpet near the end of the center console, that should be good. Somebody might know a better place. Then I believe you run the power wire from the transformer to the switch and then from the switch to the battery but I good be wrong, it has been awhile. I think that is it. Make sure you have some kind of fuse between the battery and the switch so if something messes up it wont start a fire.
Heres the kit, then just go to the scion part and get the switch.
http://www.oznium.com/cathode-kit
Ok cool, thanks a lot for your help! Im still debating between the cathodes and the LED strips which I have in my hand. If anyone knows how to do the LED strip way it would be easier so I dont have to go through return process and ordering new ones. Thanks for all the help so far everyone!!!
Aphex13 10-02-2009, 12:34 PM You said you wanted them to come on with your headlights, and led's don't take that much to run... So, just connect the (+) wires from both strips of led's to the (+) wire from your cubby hole light. It's already fused, and it only turns on with your headlights. Then hook both of your (-) wires together and connect it to the "supply" post on your switch. Then you'll want to ground the post labeled "load" or "accessory". And if your switch is lighted, you'll want to ground the ground post to any of the numerous screws, bolts, or nuts that are there. Now with the switch and your headlights on, your led's will be on too. Or if you don't want them on for any reason, and you need your headlights, just turn off the switch.
I know it sounds complicated, but trust me, it's easier this way, and you can just leave the switch on so that they will come on auto when you turn your headlights on. The problem with hooking them directly to your battery is that if you don't turn off your switch, they will stay on even if you turn off your engine, and lights.
DJ08tC 10-02-2009, 03:45 PM Oh okay i was wrong it is the negative, I thought you hook the positive to the switch.
aryan13 10-02-2009, 04:42 PM Did this with Oznium's 12" cathodes. Come on when I unlock the car and turn off when doors are locked or car is started.
Aphex13 10-02-2009, 10:36 PM It'll work either way. :) Just depends weather you want to break the circuit before or after the led's.
DJ08tC 10-03-2009, 01:30 AM Oh okay, so if i did this I could run the power from the battery to the switch then to the power on the transformer. Or would it be better to run the negative to the switch then a good grounding spot?
toeveryhour 10-03-2009, 04:42 AM i ran my cathode footwell lighting from the battery (use a fuse!!). i grounded it on a bolt in my engine bay... ran both wires through the firewall... ran the power from battery to the switch... power from switch to power from transformer... and ground wire from engine bay directly to ground wire of cathode transformer.
pretty simple. i suggest buying the oem switch off of amazon, unless you are buying lighting from oznium. it is much cheaper on amazon versus just buying the switch alone off of oznium.
toeveryhour 10-03-2009, 04:47 AM when i did it on my other car i lifted up the carpet and grounded it to a bolt underneath the carpet. I have yet to lift up the tCs carpet. it could be an option.
Where I circled in red - that is where I grounded it.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f121/toeveryhour/Untitled.jpg
toeveryhour 10-03-2009, 04:54 AM oh if you need to know anything specific, PM me. electrical is one area i am pretty good at.
aryan13 10-03-2009, 05:38 PM There is a good ground inside the car on the fuse panel under the drivers side.
05erTcRider 10-04-2009, 09:20 AM if your looking to have them be on/off along with your headlights, granted this may not be the best way to do it, but its how i did.
I spliced into the power/ground for the light on the shifter (lights up the PRDN32) this makes them light up whenever you turn atleast your parking lights on. Now i will warn you doing this is probably not a good idea if you do a lot of night driving, because youll burn out the lights super quick as you cant turn them off without turning you lights off.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b360/hannzdeezy/lights.jpg
Turning my lights on turns on the footwells, the cupholders, the vents and the glovebox LED's ive put in.
Again i stress this is definatly not THE BEST way, but a simple way without having to add in switches or fuses if your not electricaly inclined.
v-train 11-08-2009, 10:17 AM im a noob at this too what is a fuse for? how do u connect it? pictures plz
SquallLHeart 11-08-2009, 04:11 PM Click me
(http://lmgtfy.com/?q=what+is+a+fuse&l=1)
b52hDUNN 11-11-2009, 12:42 PM I added 1 led per foot well and wired them up to the dome light circuit board on the interior roof. You will find your power and ground there. The leds will dim with the dome light and also turn on/off with the dome light switch.
v-train 11-12-2009, 12:35 AM how do u run wires from the engine bay to inside the car? is there a powersource in the car u could just get instead o te battery?
DJ08tC 11-12-2009, 01:20 AM there is a gourmet under the dash about the brake pedal that you can run the wires through. Some people all use the cigarette lighter for a power source.
rougenite 11-12-2009, 10:17 AM Click me
(http://lmgtfy.com/?q=what+is+a+fuse&l=1)
:rolling::rolling: Didnt know you could do that...classic!
TheQuietThings 11-12-2009, 06:42 PM I dont think you can tap the cubby light, last it checked it was 5V BUT i may be wrong. I would always suggest tapping the cig lighter for something like that.
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