Where to connect wires for diy ambient lights?

[jayemvee]

Does anyone know where a suitable wire would be to tap into for ambient light wiring?

I guess I'm asking for the color and location of a wire for the parking lights or headlights, since I only

want the ambient lights to come on when the headlights are on.

I have a 2014 Fusion Hybrid

 

Thanks for any help.

Edited October 14, 2013 by jayemvee

[KLH]

I can't help you to tap for headlight use.

 

Thinking about it differently, I'd recommend tapping into the dome light area because the ambient lighting should go on when the dome light comes on, right? To do so, tap into the same wires that the illuminated door sills use. In the dome light area, there's a white Molex connector. Within it, you'll find a purple/gray wire on one side and black for ground on the other side. Those are what you'll want to tap into.

[jayemvee]

I've used those for the lighted sills that I bought. But I want power that stays on as long as the headlights are on. I will have a switch somewhere so that I can turn the ambient lights off, but I don't want them to go off as soon as I close the doors.

[kuzzi]

Maybe go to the fuse box and route something back into the cab?

[B25Nut]

I can't direct you to your desired connection, but Gkinla and I have found that if the Interior Light Kit is hooked up to a dimmable circuit, the lights go off at any setting below full brightness. Mine were installed by my dealer according to the factory instructions and they come on and go off just like the dome lights do when you open a door and turn the key off, along with being always on with the parking lights and headlights. One day I accidentally dimmed the dashboard lights (controlled by touching the area to the right of the headlight knob) and the ambient lighting stopped working. Gkinla, whose dealer hooked his up to the dimmable dash circuit, had mentioned the day before that his ambient lights would flicker if he dimmed the dashboard. I have my settings so that the dash lights are always on full brighness (I think I got that preference from watching 2001: Space Odyssey at least eight times), so a never noticed a problem. Resetting the manual adjustment to full brightness got the ambient lighting working again.

Edited October 15, 2013 by B25Nut

[gkinla]

I can't direct you to your desired connection, but Gkinla and I have found that if the Interior Light Kit is hooked up to a dimmable circuit, the lights go off at any setting below full brightness. Mine were installed by my dealer according to the factory instructions and they come on and go off just like the dome lights do when you open a door, along with being always on with the parking lights and headlights. One day I accidentally dimmed the dashboard lights (controlled by touching the area to the right of the headlight knob) and the ambient lighting stopped working. Gkinla, whose dealer hooked his up to the dimmable dash circuit, had mentioned the day before that his ambient lights would flicker if he dimmed the dashboard. I have my settings so that the dash lights are always on full brighness (I think I got that preference from watching 2001: Space Odyssey at least eight times), so a never noticed a problem. Resetting the manual adjustment to full brightness got the ambient lighting working again.

 

I may have an answer tomorrow on where to hook up when I pick up the car. I took the FFH in for it's 10k mile oil change today. I spoke to my SA just after the Ambient Light install last week, regarding the flickering when the dash is dimmed. Today we discussed hooking up the Ambient Lighting to the parking light circuit. I left the car at the dealer after getting a courtesy rental. They worked on it this afternoon. I received a call from my SA at 5:30 pm saying that the idea worked. When inside the dealership, when unlocking the doors by remote the parking lights and ambient lighting come on. Start the car and the driving lights come on and the ambient lighting stays on. BTW, I have automatic lights. When outside during the day no lights come on as designed. This will be ideal for me because I don't like bright dash lights driving at night, so I can dim them without effecting the Ambient Lighting. The dealer is doing this because they want the lighting to work as best as possible, and they are learning as they go, although I would have liked to be able to dim the Ambient Lighting also. This is a great dealer, they have always exceeded my expectations.

 

I asked my SA to have the tech write down the connection point along with wiring color codes if applicable.

[jayemvee]

That would be AWESOME. Thank you in advance! :victory:

[Former Expedition owner]

I'd be appreciative if someone can outline how to add LEDs to the cup holders on a HyTi that has the factory installed Ambient Lighting system.

[jayemvee]

Former, I feel that wouldn't be a big deal, just tap into one of the wires that goes to an ambient light bulb, and run that wire to some leds that light up the cup holders somehow.

 

Gkinla, I am planning to wire a separate dimmer knob along with the leds that will dim the ambients separately from the dashboard. If I get this all together, I will post pictures.

I am eagerly awaiting any info you get from the dealer.

Edited October 15, 2013 by jayemvee

[murphy]

I'd be appreciative if someone can outline how to add LEDs to the cup holders on a HyTi that has the factory installed Ambient Lighting system.

http://www.fordfusionenergiforum.com/topic/1049-ambient-lighting-in-console-cup-holders/?do=findComment&comment=5144

[gkinla]

Former, I feel that wouldn't be a big deal, just tap into one of the wires that goes to an ambient light bulb, and run that wire to some leds that light up the cup holders somehow.

 

Gkinla, I am planning to wire a separate dimmer knob along with the leds that will dim the ambients separately from the dashboard. If I get this all together, I will post pictures.

I am eagerly awaiting any info you get from the dealer.

 

I picked up the car this morning and everything works as posted above, except when opening the door during the day the parking lights and ambient lights come on. Everything shuts off when closing the during the day. Again, I have automatic headlights.

 

Unless the dimmer is rated for LEDs you might get flickering when reducing the voltage to the circuit. Then if you use a continuous 12v circuit, not the dash dimming circuit, this condition might not happen.

 

For what it's worth, here is the statement from the RO regarding the connection point. "Wired into Smart Junction Box, pin #3, blue/gray wire". I don't know where the Smart Junction box is, maybe the fuse box under the hood. Then again it's more info than we had before.

 

Another connection point I thought of is the cigarette lighter circuit. It powers on when starting the car and when shutting down, powers off in several minutes or less.

 

My dealer found this switch to control the Ambient Lighting, it replaces the switch supplied in the Ford kit. Functions as on/off and color cycling. I think you're doing your own install so this is for info only. Part number DG9Z-13D730-BA, $28.00. replaces the auto park switch if equipped. Auto park still works. This prevents drilling any holes in the cup holder trim.

 

Edited October 15, 2013 by gkinla

[jayemvee]

I belive the smart junction box is next to the fuse box on the driver side in the footwell. Thanks for the info!!

[jayemvee]

gkinla, would it perhaps be possible to take a picture of the fusebox area in the driver side footwell? I might be able to see the wire that they spliced into. You need to be a bit of a contortionist to see up there, but if you could it would be greatly appreciated.

[gkinla]

I took a look and there are just too many wires to be seen clearly.

[Former Expedition owner]

http://www.fordfusionenergiforum.com/topic/1049-ambient-lighting-in-console-cup-holders/?do=findComment&comment=5144

Thank you for replying and providing the link. However, your link to the Energi forum is for installing a separate lighting system controlled by several additional switches. Also, I cannot open the photos you posted there, likely because I am not a member of the Energi forum.

 

I was hoping someone had already added cup holder LEDs to the existing ambient lighting system. I was interested in learning how and where to attach the wiring for these new LEDs to the existing system. I'll even concede the fact that the new cupholder LEDs will not change colors similar to the factory installed LEDs.

[corncobs]

Hey Former have you looked at the Ambient Lighting thread just below this one?

 

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/6321-ambient-lighting/page-2?do=findComment&comment=68581

 

I added my own ambient lighting including the cup holders. The LEDs I ised are very thin and work great inside the cup holder.

 

I also have a few pics in my gallery check them out as well.

[Former Expedition owner]

Hey Former have you looked at the Ambient Lighting thread just below this one?

 

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/6321-ambient-lighting/page-2?do=findComment&comment=68581

 

I added my own ambient lighting including the cup holders. The LEDs I ised are very thin and work great inside the cup holder.

 

I also have a few pics in my gallery check them out as well.

 

Yes, I have looked at your posts in that thread. After seeing your photo with the water bottle in the LED lit cupholder, I wanted to give it a try. (We were supposed to get the LED cup holders with the Titanium)

 

Since I have the Titanium (and the factory installed ambient lighting), I would like to add just one LED in each cup holder to the existing ambient lighting.

 

I was hoping another FFH Ti owner had already done this and could post pictures and an explanation how to do it.

 

I could just buy two of the LEDs that you did, but I'm looking for details on how/where to wire them into the existing lighting.

[corncobs]

Unfortunately I don't have a HyTi but I can't imagine it would be difficult to get to one of the factory LEDs and splice the cup holder light LD into it.

 

Isn't there one in the center cubby? That should be the easiest one to get to.

[murphy]

It's not just an LED. The ambient lighting is fed by a 3 wire cable. The wires are voltage, ground, and a logic signal.

The cable connects to an assembly that contains a circuit board that can decode the logic commands. There is a light pipe coming out of the assembly that feeds the light to where it needs to go. I know nothing about light pipes but if that light pipe could be split to feed three destinations the cup holders could be fed from the one in the center console. I expect the result would be 1/3 of the light to each destination.

Edited October 17, 2013 by murphy

[Former Expedition owner]

It's not just an LED. The ambient lighting is fed by a 3 wire cable. The wires are voltage, ground, and a logic signal.

I believe the 12v LEDs that Corncobs used had two wires, power and ground. If I tapped into the existing power & ground from the existing ambient lighting system, would that work?

 

I'm no electrician, but I can perform handyman type electrical wiring like adding an outlet or wiring in a switch.

 

I pulled off the lower black plastic trim piece on the driver's side of the center console and saw the light pipe Murphy describes leading to the light in the center console storage area, under the dashboard. I'll probably have to pull off more of the trim pieces to determine where the wires are that lead to the LED that supplies the light pipe.

 

Corncobs, where did you end up placing the LED in the cup holders? Beneath the rear spring clip in the cup holder?

[corncobs]

Corncobs, where did you end up placing the LED in the cup holders? Beneath the rear spring clip in the cup holder?

Yes right below the opening for the spring clamp. Let me know if you need a closer picture that shows it better.

 

The wire for the LEDs is paper thin so it doesn't interfere with the operation at all. Also the LED itself is so thin that's not in the way for any cup or bottle.

I found it a bit tricky to get them to stick to the plastic. It's really odd silky smooth plastic the 3M molding tape was fine for a while but I ended up fixing it with a drop a crazy clue.

 

Tapping into the existing wires should be fine. They also sell RGB LED of the same format IIRC so it might even be possible to have them color changing. Question would be if the control signal are the same?

[murphy]

I believe the 12v LEDs that Corncobs used had two wires, power and ground. If I tapped into the existing power & ground from the existing ambient lighting system, would that work?

It's been several months since I had the console disassembled. I removed 4 pieces, 2 from each side. The trim and the side panel.

 

I did measure the voltage but my notes are gone. The fact that I called the third wire a logic signal makes me think the voltage was 5 volts but I can't be sure. From the passenger side, with difficulty, the cable can be unplugged from the module that feeds the light pipe. I don't know under what conditions it has power. The wires that feed the power outlet in the console bin are much easier to reach. That is where I connected my LED system and the feed for a two-way radio,

 

While the passenger side panel is off, learn where the manual release for the shift lever is located. It's needed to get out of Park with a dead 12 volt battery. It's poorly described in the Owner's Manual.

[Former Expedition owner]

They also sell RGB LED of the same format IIRC so it might even be possible to have them color changing. Question would be if the control signal are the same?

I saw the RGB one listed on their website. It states there are four wires, a positive and 3 negatives. Really need a lighting/wiring expert to chime in with the proper wiring method.

 

Using an RGB Controller ? - (Million Color / Rainbow) We've got you fully covered. The LED module has 4 wires, a universal common positive, and three negatives. We've got a handful of LED Controllers to choose from, including our most popular Freedom Controller if you don't already have an RGB / Rainbow LED controller.

 

The RGB (Million) won't change colors on its own unless you hook it up to a controller. If you're looking for a tiny LED that changes colors on its own, check our exclusive RGB Color Changing LED.

Maybe I'll send a note to the LED manufacturer to see if they can help.

[jayemvee]

Got the ambient lighting done. I tapped into the wire that provides power to the parking lights for the tail light. It was best option, since the SJB is impossible to get to, and tapping into the wire for the front lights would mean going through the firewall somehow. The ambient lights are ice blue, and they come on when you unlock the car and stay on when the lights are on. I wired them to a led dimmer switch that I put in the armrest storage bin. I would be happy to provide specifics or pics for anyone who wants to do this.

[murphy]

I connected mine to the feed wire for the power jack in the console storage bin since I wanted to be able to turn them on at any time independent of whether the external lights were on or not. That is how they worked in my 2010 Fusion Hybrid. The power jacks lose power approximately 75 minutes after the car is turned off unless the 12 volt battery is low. If the battery is low the power jacks turn off at the same time the radio turns off when the door is opened.