DIY Cupholder LED Install with Pics

[dambay]

Hey everyone. I finally got around to getting some LEDs installed in my cupholders and working the way I like, and I figured I would prepare a bit and take pictures along the way to document it for others. For reference, my car is a Skyactiv Mazda3 hatch, though I'm not sure how different it is than the Gen1 3s. Anyway! I'll get on with it. Disclaimer: I am not responsible for damage done to your car if you decide to do this. To be safe, you should pull the fuses (located on the left side of the steering wheel inside the door) for the cigarette lighter circuit. I believe they are #12 and 14 in the manual.

I picked up some flexible LED strips from Wal Mart, which you purchase with a battery pack and a plunger switch so you can demo what the LEDs will look like.

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o543/dambay/Untitled.png

When installing, they indicate that you cut the wire such that the switch and battery are removed. But I thought "why not use the switch instead"

Here's what the switch, battery pack, and lights look like.

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o543/dambay/IMG_20120622_201311.jpghttp://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o543/dambay/IMG_20120622_201333.jpg

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o543/dambay/IMG_20120622_201522.jpghttp://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o543/dambay/IMG_20120622_201529.jpg

My plan was to attach the switch in such a way so that when the cup holder lid is opened, it presses on the switch, so that the lights are only on when the cupholder is open. Here's how.

First, you need to remove the e-brake center panel. Make sure the e brake is engaged so you can get the panel off. Once that is removed, unscrew the shift knob (it just twists off) and pull the shifter plate off. A couple things to note. In order to pull it off, you will need to shift into neutral (on Auto transmission). In order to do that without the car started, the key needs to be in the ignition and in the ON position. Be careful when removing this panel. If you have heated seat controls, the wires are connected to this panel on the left side, so take care not to damage them. Slide the shift panel off the shifter, and set it down to the left side.

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o543/dambay/IMG_20120622_211512-1.jpg

You should be able to see the connector for the cigarette lighter on the right side of the shifter plate, circled in the above picture. This is where you will get your 12V source. The red wire you can see sticking out I had already pulled from the lighter connection. This is where you will attach your positive wire. Below shows the connector in more detail. A small plastic tab holds the red wire in the connector.

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o543/dambay/IMG_20120622_211713.jpg

I had to attach some wire to the positive end of the switch, so it could reach to the 12V source. The switch itself is threaded and comes with a thin hex nut to hold it in place in the plastic packaging.

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o543/dambay/IMG_20120622_212419.jpghttp://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o543/dambay/IMG_20120622_212435.jpg

After attaching the positive wire (green wire in front) and reinserting in the connector, we are about half way there.

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o543/dambay/IMG_20120622_212519.jpg

To attach the switch, I cut out a notch on the side of the cupholder. Once its reinstalled in the car, you cant see it at all. Using the provided nut, I tightened the switch into this notch. Using the three sided tape, I stuck the LED strips to a lip on the inside of the cupholder, shown by the arrows.

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o543/dambay/IMG_20120622_212722-1.jpghttp://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o543/dambay/IMG_20120622_212905.jpg

The switch sticks out enough that the cup holder lid depresses it rather than hitting the rubber cushion on the other side.

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o543/dambay/IMG_20120622_212915.jpg

Now its just a matter of attaching the negative to a grounded screw, sticking the led strips on with the provided 3M tape, tidying up wire, and putting everything back together. I used the screw below, although you have a couple choices. Once the negative was connected, I popped the fuses back in to test, and when it all looked good, I reinstalled everything, and patted myself on the back (no really though).

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o543/dambay/IMG_20120622_215751.jpg

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o543/dambay/IMG_20120622_220358.jpg

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o543/dambay/IMG_20120622_220405.jpg

I didn't take a picture with the lid closed, but you'll have to trust me that it works great. This took me about half an hour total, taking my time to make sure I did everything right. If anyone has any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

[Lactose]

Nice, you should make one that lights up the bottle when its placed in there next :]

[dambay]

Nice, you should make one that lights up the bottle when its placed in there next :]

Yeah yeah. Didn't have a bottle handy so I didn't take a picture with one. I might preposition the lights so theyre more focused on the cupholders themselves

[jshacm]

Looks good. Nice and clean install. I just added more LEDs to the cup holder and under the front seats yesterday

[greaves82]

thats actually pretty cool, smart idea about using the provided button/switch and the mounting spot

[dambay]

thats actually pretty cool, smart idea about using the provided button/switch and the mounting spot

Thanks. I knew right when I saw them that I had to figure out some way to use the switch. It works really well.

[juan]

mines a 2012, not skyactive though, and taking off the ebrake brake center panel, i can get most of it off, except the part in the center that is touching the armrest. I'm wondering if theres a screw or a push/pull technique to get that part off, because I pull on it but half the time I think its going to snap :/

[Marta]

whoa, that looks amazing! Great job!

[dambay]

mines a 2012, not skyactive though, and taking off the ebrake brake center panel, i can get most of it off, except the part in the center that is touching the armrest. I'm wondering if theres a screw or a push/pull technique to get that part off, because I pull on it but half the time I think its going to snap :/

You mean the panel where the e brake handle sticks through? It does take a bit more effort the first time you remove it. Its best to pull on it as close to the edges as you can, so you're not bending the plastic. You can reach in through the opening where the e brake handle sticks out and pull from there. The panel is held in by rubbery/felt-like tabs along the edges. With a little effort it should pop right out.


whoa, that looks amazing! Great job!

Thanks! It turned out just as I had hoped, and its nice to not have it on if I don't need it.

[Souls]

great work! It's good to see people still fabricating their own mods :thumbsup someone commented on my same mod about using a momentary switch, and you did it.

[dambay]

great work! It's good to see people still fabricating their own mods :thumbsup someone commented on my same mod about using a momentary switch, and you did it.


Thanks man!