Wiring, Stereo & Electronics Audio Components | Radars | Alarms - and things that spark when they shouldn't

Fbody interior LED-strip wiring

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 12, 2013 | 09:10 PM
  #1  
l 95 Trans Am l's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 653
Likes: 1
From: Pennsylvania
Default Fbody interior LED-strip wiring

Okay I just converted my factory interior bulbs to LED in my 2000 Camaro, but I also purchased 4 bright white LED strips with the intention of hooking them up somewhere in the interior to brighten it up a bit (I was thinking down by the pedals/under the glove box). But I'm not sure what to wire them into, I wanted to wire them into the map light wiring so they will go in/out when the doors are opened or when you flip the light switch but I can't seem to find the wiring and I don't want to run/hide a mile of wiring to the rearview. Anyone else do this? And if so where's the easiest place to wire them to?
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2013 | 10:26 PM
  #2  
Daniel Richards's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,769
Likes: 0
From: Ellijay, GA
Default

there was something on that within the last few weeks, try a search. not sure exactly where the best place is to splice in, but basically follow the wires down from the mirror, they come down behind the drivers side A-pillar so just pull it out and see where they run to.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2013 | 11:01 PM
  #3  
l 95 Trans Am l's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 653
Likes: 1
From: Pennsylvania
Default

Originally Posted by Daniel Richards
there was something on that within the last few weeks, try a search. not sure exactly where the best place is to splice in, but basically follow the wires down from the mirror, they come down behind the drivers side A-pillar so just pull it out and see where they run to.
Yeah that's where I thought they ran to but I wasn't 100%. I don't really want to take the headliner off. And I don't want to just run them to a 12V source and have a toggle switch, like some ricers told me to do
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2013 | 11:10 PM
  #4  
Majestic9C1's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
10 Year Member
Liked
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,667
Likes: 22
From: Cincinnati, OH
Default

tap into the lighting circuit to the fog light switch
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2013 | 07:35 AM
  #5  
WhiteBird00's Avatar
Ungrounded Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,330
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Default

Because of the way the map and courtesy lamps are wired, you can't wire your LED strips to work both with the courtesy lights and also with the map light switches. The courtesy lights get both power and ground from the Body Control Module (BCM).

Basically, the BCM provides constant power except when the battery protector circuit shuts it down to prevent draining the battery if a door is left open or the map lights are left on. The courtesy function is controlled entirely by the ground side. The BCM provides ground when the lights first go on (a door is opened) and then gradually reduces the ground (increases the resistance) to create the theater dimming effect.

The map lights use the same power feed from the BCM but the switches in the mirror route the ground directly to a chassis ground making the lights stay on a full brightness until either the switch is turned off or the BCM cuts the power for the battery saver.

The wires to accomplish all this are available at any of the courtesy lights (mirror, dome, hatch in a coupe) as well as at the BCM behind the glovebox. The dark blue with white wire in the black 6-pin connector at the BCM provides the power. The white wire in the blue 32-pin connector at the BCM provides the variable ground. Splicing your LED strip wires (probably red for power and black for ground) into the corresponding wires at the BCM will make the strips work like the courtesy lights. You will need some kind of switch in the ground side to be able to turn them on at other times.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2013 | 07:36 AM
  #6  
WhiteBird00's Avatar
Ungrounded Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,330
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Default

Originally Posted by Majestic9C1
tap into the lighting circuit to the fog light switch
How is that different from what the ricers were telling him to do?
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2013 | 08:54 AM
  #7  
formula99-ls1-ws6's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Default

Ok un hook the connection on the rearview mirror lights take a test light and check each connection with the door open and then close it to find which wire will fade the test light out when the door is shut im not 100% but i think its white could be wrong tho then take your drivers side floor trim off and pull the side pannel back behind drivers seat find that wire and splice into it that's what i did and my red LEDs will come on when i open the door and will fade out when i close it they come on when i roll the **** to turn on interior lights as well
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2013 | 11:56 AM
  #8  
bad_408_vert's Avatar
TECH Junkie
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,416
Likes: 10
From: Queens, NYC
Default

Read through this thread for everything you want to know about LED Interior Mod.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...ood-taste.html
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 13, 2013 | 09:11 PM
  #9  
l 95 Trans Am l's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 653
Likes: 1
From: Pennsylvania
Default

Originally Posted by WhiteBird00
Because of the way the map and courtesy lamps are wired, you can't wire your LED strips to work both with the courtesy lights and also with the map light switches. The courtesy lights get both power and ground from the Body Control Module (BCM).

Basically, the BCM provides constant power except when the battery protector circuit shuts it down to prevent draining the battery if a door is left open or the map lights are left on. The courtesy function is controlled entirely by the ground side. The BCM provides ground when the lights first go on (a door is opened) and then gradually reduces the ground (increases the resistance) to create the theater dimming effect.

The map lights use the same power feed from the BCM but the switches in the mirror route the ground directly to a chassis ground making the lights stay on a full brightness until either the switch is turned off or the BCM cuts the power for the battery saver.

The wires to accomplish all this are available at any of the courtesy lights (mirror, dome, hatch in a coupe) as well as at the BCM behind the glovebox. The dark blue with white wire in the black 6-pin connector at the BCM provides the power. The white wire in the blue 32-pin connector at the BCM provides the variable ground. Splicing your LED strip wires (probably red for power and black for ground) into the corresponding wires at the BCM will make the strips work like the courtesy lights. You will need some kind of switch in the ground side to be able to turn them on at other times.
Great info! Thanks a lot guys!
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:43 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE