Footwell lights

[gazza1286]

Hi - planning to fit footwell lights at the weekend. I've seen a few threads about this offering alternative solutions. Before I start cutting wires I thought I'd check wiring options.

I'd prefer not to run the wires from the dome fitting but utilise the wiring behind the passenger kick plate. What I need to know is:-

(i)  which is the permanent live?

(ii) which is the switched earth. Other post say that the wires from both doors merge in the footwell?

(iii) is using a piggyback fuse on the dome (fuse 34) in the engine bay an running a cable through the firewall a better option?


I'm also going to install a carpoint interior light delay module at the same time.

Any advice or suggestions welcome.

[adamjob]

Carpoint interior light delay module sounds interesting can you expand?

Thanks

[gazza1286]

Cheapest I could find. It's reviewed on Amazon. I'm going to link it to the dome and footwell lights to give a 15 seconds delay.

 m http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 84&alt=web m

DO NOT BUY THIS ITEM AS IT'S CRAP! The Australian item mentioned below is brilliant -  so buy that instead.

[nathanMR2]

Bottom big block. Thickest White cable IIRC but be sure to test it.

Above all of those connectors, near the lower dash you should find 2 separate plugs with 2 single wires going into each. Disconnect each of them in turn with the door open and one should make the interior light go out. There's your switched feed

[adamjob]

Looks good I intend on having ambient lighting in the foot wells that go brighter when the door is opened and fade on a delay, linked to the done doing the same and make the dome a bit brighter too.

[gazza1286]

Thanks Nathan - I've now identified the wiring which needs sorting. The job has been postponed until the three-way rocker switch that I ordered today arrives. I want the footwell lights to have the on/switched/off option as well as the 15-second-delay for all of the lights. I've managed to source a round rocker switch which looks the same as the aerial switch I recently installed.

[Mike G]

I like that delay module thing but the functionality is limited, I mean these days if you get in the car when dark and drive straight off, the ignition on position deletes the delay or you have to drive with the interior light blazing until it times out. Also I'd want the light to come on when you pull up and switch ignition off before a doors open.

[gazza1286]

Adding a relay to cancel the lights when the ignition is on would be relatively simple to add to this setup. Getting the courtesy lights to come back on when the engine is turned off is beyond my limited knowledge. I have that as standard on my Avensis but as you'll be opening the door anyway.......

[gazza1286]

Hi Mike - a solution to forcing the lights to turn off with the ignition key would be to fit this relay on the earth side of the delay module.

 m http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 98&alt=web m

[Die$eL]

I tapped into the door switch for negative (left door only) and took positive from the battery
Both footwell lights feed off the same cable.

the lights switch on when i unlock the car with the alarm remote

they also switch on when the door is opened and off when closed. Doesnt matter which door.
It's a great mod   s:bounce: :bounce: s:bounce:

[gazza1286]

Hi Diesel - how did you wire this to activate with the remote? This also suggests a time delay feature linked to the remote unlocking? Is yours a UK vehicle?

[gazza1286]

A quick update - The delay module mentioned above was crap - it provided less than a 2 second delay so was binned. Installed this adjustable unit (from Australia) today which was very cheap and works brilliantly. Overall I'm pleased with the results.


 m http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 83&alt=web m