Footwell Lighting Fading Question
Footwell Lighting Fading Question I recently installed footwell LED lighting. I tapped into the rearview power and ground so the footwell lights work when the courtesy lights work.
But I have an issue that when the lighting fades off the leds go kinda crazy and briefly cycle thru colors before turning off (Leds are not fade friendly).
Is there a better way to connect the power and ground to work when the doors open and close but avoid the fading effect the courtesy lights as they seem to conflict with the led control module?
But I have an issue that when the lighting fades off the leds go kinda crazy and briefly cycle thru colors before turning off (Leds are not fade friendly).
Is there a better way to connect the power and ground to work when the doors open and close but avoid the fading effect the courtesy lights as they seem to conflict with the led control module?
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,330
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Unfortunately, the courtesy lights are controlled in the BCM by varying the ground side of the circuit. The power side (dark blue wire) provides power at all times until the BCM goes to sleep about 15 minutes after the ignition is shut off (that's the battery saver feature which prevents draining the battery if courtesy lights get left on). The ground side (white wire) is used to control when the courtesy lights are on as well as the theater fading effect when they go off. Because both functions (on/off and fading) are on the same wire, there really isn't a way to separate the two.
There are LED lights available that fade properly with reducing current. You might be able to find some to use in place of your current LEDs.
Another option would be the PAC TR-7 programmable module (about $13 on Amazon). One of its many programmable functions is to provide a time delayed off. You can connect it between the factory courtesy light wiring (white wire) and the LEDs. It will provide full 12V output until the trigger signal ends plus a programmable amount of time afterwards - in this case you would probably choose zero extra seconds to make the LEDs turn off once the factory lights had fully dimmed and turned off.
There are LED lights available that fade properly with reducing current. You might be able to find some to use in place of your current LEDs.
Another option would be the PAC TR-7 programmable module (about $13 on Amazon). One of its many programmable functions is to provide a time delayed off. You can connect it between the factory courtesy light wiring (white wire) and the LEDs. It will provide full 12V output until the trigger signal ends plus a programmable amount of time afterwards - in this case you would probably choose zero extra seconds to make the LEDs turn off once the factory lights had fully dimmed and turned off.
C1 black wire-ground
C7 gray wire-interior lamps command
D1 white wire- courtesy lamp return
E-dark blue/white- courtesy lamp power feed.
I think I used the dark blue/white for positive power and the White wire as the negative control. I tapped in at the drivers side A-pillar. You can check with a test light/meter.
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