OPINIONS WANTED!

[Hyperion]

So for a long time I've wanted to put puddles lights under my car for, well, puddle detection lol.

I was thinking of attaching the led strip under my door right in this little slot
http://gyazo.com/2a071211c3cd659a9a957b87398623ca.png
Edit: Bandwidth is being limited on the above picture for some reason. Hopefully back up soon.

Desired effect would be
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r34/rrcompton/BMW/HIDsandLEDPuddleLights-1.jpg

READ THIS
1. To prevent rice being cooked, these would be white since they would be for seeing what's out there.
2. These would only be able to be turned on with the map lights when you open the door.

I would love it if I could make the lighting angle like only 10 degree's, for a sharper look, so if I can do that, I will. Not sure how to tho, or if I can buy smal enough lights that have it already built in.

Please read all my further comments before voting, as this idea is being fine tuned with other members opinions, and you may end up liking it.

[joedemarco]

I think its a good idea, it does look rice but I know the purpose, I think it would be a good idea to get the same kind of light for your headlights as you have for the puddle lights. I am new at this, but what I mean by "kind" is if you have a 6000k headlight, do the same for the puddle lights, I think it'll take away the rice factor...a little bit.

thats my opinion.

goob job with the install, looks OEM.

[Hyperion]

I think its a good idea, it does look rice but I know the purpose, I think it would be a good idea to get the same kind of light for your headlights as you have for the puddle lights. I am new at this, but what I mean by "kind" is if you have a 6000k headlight, do the same for the puddle lights, I think it'll take away the rice factor...a little bit.

thats my opinion.

goob job with the install, looks OEM.

You can't really put HID's under your car lol, doesn't quite work like that.
That picture is just from Google as to show my desired effect.

[joedemarco]

You can't really put HID's under your car lol, doesn't quite work like that.
That picture is just from Google as to show my desired effect.

lol, I know that you cant put HID's under your car, give me some credit geeeeeeeze, I just mean that they should be the same bulb so that they dont stand out. and I get that they will stand out regardless but having the lights all different "colours" would make them stand out more.

I know what Im trying to say lol, I just dont know the proper terminology to put it into writing.

sorry

[greaves82]

That would be a cool looking mod if it can be done, but at the moment kinda stumped on how to do it

[Hyperion]

That would be a cool looking mod if it can be done, but at the moment kinda stumped on how to do it

Would be very easy actually
Wire up to map lights, which I need to do anyways for my footwells. That positive wire runs down to a switch, incase I want to turn the function off. From the switch that positive wire continues to the positive of the LED strand. The negative of the led strand just needs to be grounded. So either I can ground it to the door, or run it back to a good grounding point in the car.


ANYONE KNOW IF I CAN GROUND TO THE DOOR?
OR ELSE, ANYONE KNOW A GOOD GROUNDING POINT NEAR THERE?

[aris]

I wouldn't

[dentinger]

i think your best bet, would be LED strips under each door, wired to a 12v constant source (ignition or something), with a switch in each door.
im sure you could wire it into the dome light, but then you'd have all 4 lights come on when you open a door.

[xdutrax]

Great idea, and I think wiring it to a switch on each door would be awesome.

If you could get this to work, I would love to do it as well!!

Keep us posted if you figure it out.

[Hyperion]

i think your best bet, would be LED strips under each door, wired to a 12v constant source (ignition or something), with a switch in each door.
im sure you could wire it into the dome light, but then you'd have all 4 lights come on when you open a door.

I see what you mean by them all coming on at once, even if not being opened.
But I don't really want to turn a switch on just to use the light, kinda ruins the effect.
I guess I could stick a magnetic switch in that little space so that if the magnets aren't touching, the light turns on, else they would stay off while connected.

[dentinger]

im trying to think what you could run in each door. ie, what kind of switch.

i was thinking something like those hood pins you use for remote start systems.

ie, the remote start wont activate if the hood is open.

[Default User]

Take a look at 96-99 Honda Accords. They have the courtesy lights in the door.

I would source out 4 of them (because IIRC they had a very shallow mounting depth and were clear) and use a 10 LED bulb in em

Wire them to the door switch

[Hyperion]

I know not of this door switch you talk about. Please enlighten me.

[Default User]

The sensor that keeps the dome light on if your door isnt shut properly

[Hoodzy]

The sensor that keeps the dome light on if your door isnt shut properly
lol

[Default User]

Ok then - to be more specific.
The door switch is different from the dome light switch

The door switch will tell you that the door is open by triggering the dome light. Also - it signals the notification on your dash board. As well, the central locking will not function properly if the door is open.

None of these functions are affected by the dome light.

The door switch (in my older cars) was a simpe pin switch usually located in the door jam. However, I do not recall a similar pin switch in my 3. Which means it is probably within the latch mechanism.

Here is a pic of the courtesy light on the door of a 95 Honda Accord using - 6-LED bulb
http://tapatalk.com/mu/4ac609fd-c1a9-1ab1.jpg
The reason I suggest using the Accord light - these are a dime a dozen. It will give a very clean OEM look and it is exactly what it is intended for


Hope that has enlightened you

[Hyperion]

Will take the bulb into consideration, and definitely the door switch.
It all comes down to size, if I were to use that LED I might have to drill in the plasic of my door to make it fit. There's not much room to work with.

[baymoe]

Don't tap to your dome lights unless you want that effect each time you go and turn on the interior lights. I would go with the door switch as well.

[Default User]

it should also be a shorter path to run your wires making it a cleaner install

[Hyperion]

Well then. 14,5,3. Looks like I'm doing it.
I'll keep a log and maybe make a diy of how I did it.

[Kiyomi]

interesting

[Hyperion]

So I opened up my door today and found these wires, (see pic below) I'm assuming these are the wires you guys were talking about, as they were the only wires plugging into the door by the latch.
I didn't find any pin per say, closest thing would be a rubber bumper type thing, which I don't think it is.
Would I just tap into these wires instead? If so... which wire do I tap into?
http://tapatalk.com/mu/4ac6093d-07e2-d262.jpg

[Default User]

I'll open up my door panel tomorrow and see if you pulled the right connector.

Pretty sure you did - but I'm a visual guy also.

Edit - which door is this from?

[Hyperion]

This is from my front passenger side.
I've actually never taken off the rears, but I assume they are similar.

[Default User]

Pretty sure each door will be different color coded wires.

Just noticed you have a '10 so the wire colors might be different than my 05.

I'll try to grab the wire diagram tomorrow.

[Default User]

Do you see anything looking like this?
http://images.brighthub.com/0F/5/0F5D0B80D2B1FC1020D1D98BF729675D022D3807_large.jpg http://images.brighthub.com/FF/4/FF43855A78F9C38411909F9C7D88E0D2ED6E05D5_large.jpg


Here’s what I can dig up – specific to Mazda 3
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/archive/index.php/t-29629.html
“DOOR PIN see notes - passenger kick, harness to rear Notes: The LF door is black/yellow, the RF door is black/blue, the LR door is black/orange, and the RR door is black/green. Use all four wires and diode isolate each. These wires are also found at the Passenger Junction Box behind the glove box.

These wires may rest at ground with the doors closed and go to an open circuit when the doors are opened. If so, then use a 452D with jumpers in default mode.
HOOD PIN black/yellow - hood pin switch
TRUNK PIN black/red or black/blue - passenger kick or light in trunk
DOMELIGHT SUPERVISION black/blue to black/red - passenger kick, harness to rear”

But here’s another “universal” way
http://www.civicforums.com/forums/15-buy-sell-trade/319299-add-led-puddle-lights-pretty-much-any-vehicle.html


If you do go through with this – let me know. I’ll be more than happy to help. (I can take the pictures or hold the flashlight)
But TM3 definitely needs a How-To for this mod

[Hyperion]

I will definitely look tonight.
Already bought the lights for it, so we're going through with it lol.

[Hyperion]

http://gyazo.com/04c50b42a66a287d043d623d2120ff1e.png
This is the only thing I could find on my door (both on the door and on the car that looked remotely similar.

[Default User]

Oooops - forgot to tell you that M3F confirmed the door switch is definitely in the door latch.

So assuming it's the right connector you pulled out - you just need to confirm which of those 4 wires is the 12V power.

IIRC - the door switch grounds itself out when you close the door.

[Hyperion]

Ah, so was right the first time. now to go searching for answers.

[Default User]

Hahahhaaaha

My bet says the red wire is the power LOL.

After all the google-ing, I so want to do this mod now LOL (just wish I had the time)

[Souls]

I like this idea, seems MUCH easier than putting the puddle lights under the mirrors.

I wish I had time too, I was lucky to have done my reflectors wired up to my brake lights - as per my avatar. I haven't done any mods in a year!
gettin' the shakes

[Souls]

shoot Eric, now that I checked out that civic link, it reminded me that I want to do my door pockets...


found this - somewhere in the GTA $15 48cm long x .25inch wide

http://www.lightdepot.ca/product_info.php?products_id=156

[Default User]

shoot Eric, now that I checked out that civic link, it reminded me that I want to do my door pockets...



+1
Its all Hyperion's fault. LOL
I'm getting the itch all over again. just caught myself checking the 14 day weather forecast to see when I can do an install LOL

[Hyperion]

Ah I order from Ebay. $18 for 4

[vinnierap]

You can even check the local flea markets. I got 2 12" LED strips for i think $10-$15 each. Good quality. (putting them in the footwell)