DIY-Interior illumination

[CaliGuy]

What you will need:

Cold Cathode lights (get at a computer store or online)
Wire (basic wire)
Wire stripper
Wire snips
Flat head screwdriver
Open end wrench (14mm?)-To remove shift knob
Wire connectors
soldering gun or wire nuts

Total Time:

about 1.5-2 hours


Total Cost:

Under $20

Step one:

Cut cathode wiring as shown



Don't be a dumbass like me and break the cathode




Remove shift knob (self explanatory)
Remove plastic console below shift knob



Place blue box thingy (comes with the cathodes), IDK what its called on meatal things shown below--do not adhere it yet (has double sided tape on it)



Mount cathode under dash as shown with provided double sided tape



Unplug cathode from blue box and splice some wire to it (we soldered, but wire nuts would work too)--need to do this as provided wire is not long enough



Connect (now lenghthened) wire to blue box and route out back of console (beloe head unit)



Connect (now leghthened) power wire to blue box and route same as above)...run under dash



Remove #14 fuse (this was a *****)--this will make the lights come on when the headlights come on



Once fuse is removed, get a fuse tap (electronics store) and push it in with the fuse on THE TOP PRONG



Add a connector to the hot side of the power wire and a ring (idk the name of it) to the cold side



Connect the cold side to the ground of your choice

Connect the hot side to the already installed fuse tap

Connect all wiring to blue box (self explanatory)



Put plastic pieces back on

Done!

The result:



It is NOT nearly as bright as the photo shows!! It's a nice mellow glow.

The cathode IS NOT visible unless you look under the dash.

I didnt do the passenger side due to braking the other cathode last night, but it would just entail mounting the cathode at your desired point and connecting it to the blue box.

Feel free to ask questions! I'm here to help!

[8thgenuser]

DIYs deserve +rep. But, "You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to CaliGuy again."

[dentrecords]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to CaliGuy again.

[GGEX]

nice diy

so the lights are only on when your headlights are on?????

[CaliGuy]

Originally Posted by GGEX

nice diy

so the lights are only on when your headlights are on?????

Correct, but you could tap into another fuse if you wanted them on all the time. Fuse # 14 is for the headlights (or something that is actuated when the headlights are on)

[Nomar06]

Nice, gives an alternative to l.e.d.'s

[elementofhoops]

I like your setup but can you turn them off? What happens when you dont want them on while your driving with your headlights on? (Just a question, not criticism) I have LEDS and i was able to get mine to turn on/of and also i can set it so they can interact with the dome lights (fade out/turn on when door is open. I will make a DIY when I get some time. Oh and I only used one power source (dome light).

[chanchan]

those are normal computer kits, they do come with switches, you could just use the switch instead or using his setup for the headlights.

[Indigenous]

Caliguy,

good job, and nice DIY.

what kind of current draw do you get on these kind of lights? also, how long 'till they burn out?

[tomasro]

I did that same mod, but with blue lights, instead of red, for my NHB Sedan...it looks sick at night, but I hooked mine to the overhead lights so they fade when the car is started and off basically. I'd probably be cool to hook both that circuit and the "lights on" circuit to the footwells, so that there is a little light for night time. Just a thought, but awesome DIY!

[elementofhoops]

Originally Posted by tomasro

I did that same mod, but with blue lights, instead of red, for my NHB Sedan...it looks sick at night, but I hooked mine to the overhead lights so they fade when the car is started and off basically. I'd probably be cool to hook both that circuit and the "lights on" circuit to the footwells, so that there is a little light for night time. Just a thought, but awesome DIY!

Ill hook you up with a DIY where you can...I am really busy with soccer right now but I might get one done this weekend. My Lights run to my dome too and I can turn them on if I want them on at night.

[stevenshizzle]

I'd love to be able to have the lights have two settings.
(1) On and fade with dome lights
(2) Continuous on.

That would make a stellar DIY.

[HabaneroGuy]

Originally Posted by stevenshizzle

I'd love to be able to have the lights have two settings.
(1) On and fade with dome lights
(2) Continuous on.

^That is what I did with my LEDs under the dash and seat. I can also adjust the brightness when on the continuous on position.

[elementofhoops]

Originally Posted by HabaneroGuy

^That is what I did with my LEDs under the dash and seat. I can also adjust the brightness when on the continuous on position.

HabaneroGuy, I will do a DIY. I have all of the pictures and stuff already set up i just need to have some time to put them on photobucket and type it out.
Unless you want to do it....Just curious, did you hook them up to the ground for the tach and speedometer brightness level? I might try that too.

[HabaneroGuy]

Originally Posted by elementofhoops

HabaneroGuy, I will do a DIY. I have all of the pictures and stuff already set up i just need to have some time to put them on photobucket and type it out.
Unless you want to do it....Just curious, did you hook them up to the ground for the tach and speedometer brightness level? I might try that too.

I will post a picture of what I did when I get good from work.

[PBJames23]

Originally Posted by elementofhoops

I like your setup but can you turn them off? What happens when you dont want them on while your driving with your headlights on? (Just a question, not criticism) I have LEDS and i was able to get mine to turn on/of and also i can set it so they can interact with the dome lights (fade out/turn on when door is open. I will make a DIY when I get some time. Oh and I only used one power source (dome light).

Looking forward to the diy. I just recieved my leds today and i'd like to try a similar setup. What wires/fuses did you tap into for the leds to fade?

[HabaneroGuy]

Originally Posted by PBJames23

Looking forward to the diy. I just recieved my leds today and i'd like to try a similar setup. What wires/fuses did you tap into for the leds to fade?

i used the dome wires. You will see when I get home from work.
Here is a pic on how I wired the LED strips.

[elementofhoops]

Im guessing the rheostat contols the ground, but shouldn't it go on the other ground, not the one connected to the dome light? The dome light is already a controlled ground.

[Seemund]

hi, I read this, and I want to thank you!! very nice
BUT I NEED HELP HELP HELP

I can't find those LEDSS!! no where!!
Went to: RADIOSHACK, COMPUSA, TARGET, wal mart, dollar tree and ****
NOTHING PLEASE HELP ME!! I WANT IT!!
Ifound some in AutoZone, But.. They're expensive, and ugly (like 29,99)
thanks

[CaliGuy]

I used cold cathodes myself...they are about $15 for 2...You should be able to get them at the computer store...