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      07-01-2009, 10:19 PM   #1
Smithy120d
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DIY Footwell lights

Full instructions at... http://www.babybmw.net/forum/howtos/...lumination.pdf



enjoy.

Last edited by Smithy120d; 10-11-2010 at 02:15 AM.. Reason: link to PDF file
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      07-01-2009, 11:39 PM   #2
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I saw these on ebay...kinda pricey I guess, but I think it's the same guys that do the rear plate lights:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-L...Q5fAccessories
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      07-03-2009, 12:42 PM   #3
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I think he meant if your 1er didn't come with footwell lights, are they plug and play to retrofit them. I'm wondering the same thing....in the convertible it's very dark inside at night with just the one dome light on above the dash.
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      07-11-2009, 10:27 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackjackMulligan View Post
I think he meant if your 1er didn't come with footwell lights, are they plug and play to retrofit them. I'm wondering the same thing....in the convertible it's very dark inside at night with just the one dome light on above the dash.
Anyone with info want to take a pic of the foodwell light?
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      07-24-2009, 12:37 PM   #5
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I added these to my 128 about a month after I dicovered the cut outs for them under the dash. You can go to the dealer and just order them from the parts dept. I wired mine through the ashtray light.

Found these on ebay, which are the same as the dealer part.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LED-C...A1%7C72%3A1171
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      07-24-2009, 12:50 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigmicj View Post
I added these to my 128 about a month after I dicovered the cut outs for them under the dash. You can go to the dealer and just order them from the parts dept. I wired mine through the ashtray light.

Found these on ebay, which are the same as the dealer part.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LED-C...A1%7C72%3A1171
Glad to hear there are spots for these but I don't understand your wiring solution. Wouldn't the lights come on under the dash everytime you put on the headlights if it's hooked up to the ashtray light?

I'm looking for something that will come on whenever I open the door...
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      07-24-2009, 02:26 PM   #7
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Yes, they come on with the regular interior lights. The lights under the dash/footwell are part of the "ambient lighting" which was included in the premium package. That's how they are supposed to operate.

If you're trying to install the lights on the door handles, that's a little more involved.

If you want the lights to come on when you open the door, you would need to splice into the cabin lights.

Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackjackMulligan View Post
Glad to hear there are spots for these but I don't understand your wiring solution. Wouldn't the lights come on under the dash everytime you put on the headlights if it's hooked up to the ashtray light?

I'm looking for something that will come on whenever I open the door...
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      07-24-2009, 05:50 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigmicj View Post
Yes, they come on with the regular interior lights. The lights under the dash/footwell are part of the "ambient lighting" which was included in the premium package. That's how they are supposed to operate.

If you're trying to install the lights on the door handles, that's a little more involved.

If you want the lights to come on when you open the door, you would need to splice into the cabin lights.
Is there nothing in the area above the feet for them to plug into ?
I can see it being a royal PITA to feed wires from the interior light.
Were do the wires go to on the premium package option ?
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      07-25-2009, 08:28 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Smithy120d View Post
Is there nothing in the area above the feet for them to plug into ?
I can see it being a royal PITA to feed wires from the interior light.
Were do the wires go to on the premium package option ?
Yea, I wonder if the wiring is completely absent or if there is something to tap into without having to run it to the cabin light wires. I too would want it to come and turn off with all the interior lights.
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      07-25-2009, 08:29 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigmicj View Post
Yes, they come on with the regular interior lights. The lights under the dash/footwell are part of the "ambient lighting" which was included in the premium package. That's how they are supposed to operate.

If you're trying to install the lights on the door handles, that's a little more involved.

If you want the lights to come on when you open the door, you would need to splice into the cabin lights.
How and when exactly do your footwell lights come on?
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      07-26-2009, 10:24 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cadeucsb View Post
How and when exactly do your footwell lights come on?
when the doors open
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      07-26-2009, 02:43 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Simsims View Post
when the doors open
do they fade/turn off when you close the doors or start the car?
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      07-29-2009, 03:11 PM   #13
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If it is not pre-wired I think it'll be easier to draw power from the fuse box. It is located behind the glove box so it is right there for the passenger footwell. Just need to find the fuse for the interior light and plug a "Add a circuit" to draw the power.

I am seriously considering to install them because I like to have the cabin better illuminated.
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      07-30-2009, 02:52 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by airakien View Post
If it is not pre-wired I think it'll be easier to draw power from the fuse box. It is located behind the glove box so it is right there for the passenger footwell. Just need to find the fuse for the interior light and plug a "Add a circuit" to draw the power.

I am seriously considering to install them because I like to have the cabin better illuminated.
Please let us know how you wire it thru, I am planning to add the LED Door handle light on the car and wire it thru also ... I love those..

Second, I am planning to order the back LED Light on top of the headliner too... but not sure if the wiring is included.
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      08-08-2009, 10:34 AM   #15
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I have made a little more progress on fitting footwell lights.

After disassembling my interior light I found that the front and rear bulbs are directly connected to VNQ810 IC chips. These "QUAD CHANNEL HIGH SIDE DRIVER" chips have 4 outputs each. Unfortunately there are only two 12V outputs and the rest are all 0.62V

Maximum output current of these chips is 3.5A per channel, so it isn't a simple case of running wires to extra bulbs in the footwell.

I am now working on building a simple circuit to switch a transistor/relay combo to illuminate the footwells.
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      08-08-2009, 10:48 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Smithy120d View Post
I have made a little more progress on fitting footwell lights.

After disassembling my interior light I found that the front and rear bulbs are directly connected to VNQ810 IC chips. These "QUAD CHANNEL HIGH SIDE DRIVER" chips have 4 outputs each. Unfortunately there are only two 12V outputs and the rest are all 0.62V

Maximum output current of these chips is 3.5A per channel, so it isn't a simple case of running wires to extra bulbs in the footwell.

I am now working on building a simple circuit to switch a transistor/relay combo to illuminate the footwells.
Wow, I didn't realize BMW make it so complicated on just the two light. I thought it is just going to be plug and play.

Please keep us posted!!! Good work! I hope you find a way to it retrofit ...


THANKS!
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      09-05-2009, 10:12 AM   #17
Smithy120d
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Finally got them working.



Pretty easy DIY (for me), although a lot of interior trim needed to be removed.

Full instructions... http://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtop...=14587&start=0



enjoy.

Last edited by Smithy120d; 09-05-2009 at 11:50 AM..
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      09-05-2009, 04:07 PM   #18
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Great write up!! Now where can I order the Pin to plug into the Module?

Did you make the wire yourself or you can order that thru the dealer? Also if you have the part #?

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      09-05-2009, 06:15 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wmo168 View Post
Great write up!! Now where can I order the Pin to plug into the Module?

Did you make the wire yourself or you can order that thru the dealer? Also if you have the part #?

I used an old contact from one of my older cars, but I believe it is called a
double Leaf spring contact. Part number: 61 13 1 370 692

I had to make up the wires myself as they are not available from the dealer.

I also used different light units and as a result, different contacts for the bulbs.
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      09-05-2009, 06:23 PM   #20
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Thank you..

I am sure the LED Puddle light will plug into the same harness too.... :-)

Does your car has it? I may need to retro that later!
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      09-05-2009, 06:51 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wmo168 View Post
Thank you..

I am sure the LED Puddle light will plug into the same harness too.... :-)

Does your car has it? I may need to retro that later!
The 'puddle lights' are connected to pins 10 and 11 of plug X14261

(the lower of the two plugs in this pic)

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      10-07-2009, 02:58 PM   #22
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!!

I made this "retrofit"

I buy two light modules from an E39 with about 3.5 GBP (ebay.co.uk) and about 3 hours of installation.
The result PERFECT.

P.S. to my car the pin 35 was connected to the internal light !!!! (i check it with a buzzer option of multimeter)

I totally recommend this diy to everyone !!!
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