DIY illuminated cupholder area for 09 Fit
#1
10-14-2008, 11:35 AM
DIY illuminated cupholder area for 09 Fit
I noticed that in my 09 Sport, it's tough to see the cupholder area in the console. I leave for work in the dark and head home in the dark, so I thought it'd be nice to light up that area so I don't drop my coffee or fumble around for the accessory plug and my cell phone charger.
Another trip to Advance Auto supply yielded a $9.88 "LED POD" by OPTX that connects to 12V and shines blue light. I also picked up a purple neon mini tube for $4.98 on clearance that I'll use in my wife's Tidewater 09 base fit.
So here's how I did it...
1) The panel right under the recirc/fresh air control that overhangs the cupholders comes off by prying on it from the bottom edge. Pops right out.
2) I tried to find dash illumination wires right up in there with the A/C controls but did not want to pull too much stuff out, so instead I took off the console.
3) Took the carpet insert out of the rearward most pocket of the console. Unscrew the phillips screw. Took the pop 'ems out of both sides of the front of the console. Took the cover out from in front of the E-brake. The console is held on by a clip somewhere in the area of the gearshift, so I pulled up until it popped out. Then I lifted and turned and moved the gearshift to drive to make it easier. PLEASE, IF YOU DO THIS BE SAFE AND DONT RUN ANYONE OVER, DO IT WITH THE KEY ON BUT ENGINE NOT RUNNING.
4) Once the console was out I found two wires that go to the lights for the gearshift. Both were red with black stripes and silver tracers. One will give constant (+) with lights on. The other, strangely enough, will give variable ground when adjusting the dimmer.
5) Connected the (+) to the lead that is hot with the dash lights on, and the (-) to the lead that is variable with the dimmer. Tested and the LEDs actually dim a bit. Cool!
6) Made some extension wires and ran those up to the area above the cupholders.
7) Saw the reason why my right leg would feel hot while driving in cool weather. There's some duct work in the console for rear passenger heat. This ducting has a feed from the top that sits in the tubes on the bottom that lead to the rear passenger area, but there's no seal at that joint. So I put some electrical tape around that junction to prevent the hot air leaks.
8) Also noticed that we're along side our gas tanks. At least that's what I'm guessing the big metal plate on the tunnel is covering.
9) Put it all back together, and left the LED out as I put back the panel. Velcroed it to the panel and now I have nifty blue light so I can see my Java!
Pics will be added later.
I'm not big on cutting my cars anymore. I used to do all kinds of stuff I'd later regret, so I'm big on velcro, wire ties, and snug fits. I leave the dremel in the workshop.
Eric
Another trip to Advance Auto supply yielded a $9.88 "LED POD" by OPTX that connects to 12V and shines blue light. I also picked up a purple neon mini tube for $4.98 on clearance that I'll use in my wife's Tidewater 09 base fit.
So here's how I did it...
1) The panel right under the recirc/fresh air control that overhangs the cupholders comes off by prying on it from the bottom edge. Pops right out.
2) I tried to find dash illumination wires right up in there with the A/C controls but did not want to pull too much stuff out, so instead I took off the console.
3) Took the carpet insert out of the rearward most pocket of the console. Unscrew the phillips screw. Took the pop 'ems out of both sides of the front of the console. Took the cover out from in front of the E-brake. The console is held on by a clip somewhere in the area of the gearshift, so I pulled up until it popped out. Then I lifted and turned and moved the gearshift to drive to make it easier. PLEASE, IF YOU DO THIS BE SAFE AND DONT RUN ANYONE OVER, DO IT WITH THE KEY ON BUT ENGINE NOT RUNNING.
4) Once the console was out I found two wires that go to the lights for the gearshift. Both were red with black stripes and silver tracers. One will give constant (+) with lights on. The other, strangely enough, will give variable ground when adjusting the dimmer.
5) Connected the (+) to the lead that is hot with the dash lights on, and the (-) to the lead that is variable with the dimmer. Tested and the LEDs actually dim a bit. Cool!
6) Made some extension wires and ran those up to the area above the cupholders.
7) Saw the reason why my right leg would feel hot while driving in cool weather. There's some duct work in the console for rear passenger heat. This ducting has a feed from the top that sits in the tubes on the bottom that lead to the rear passenger area, but there's no seal at that joint. So I put some electrical tape around that junction to prevent the hot air leaks.
8) Also noticed that we're along side our gas tanks. At least that's what I'm guessing the big metal plate on the tunnel is covering.
9) Put it all back together, and left the LED out as I put back the panel. Velcroed it to the panel and now I have nifty blue light so I can see my Java!
Pics will be added later.
I'm not big on cutting my cars anymore. I used to do all kinds of stuff I'd later regret, so I'm big on velcro, wire ties, and snug fits. I leave the dremel in the workshop.
Eric
#7
11-13-2008, 11:29 PM
i need to get off this website, you guys are making me want to do to much to my Fit when I need to be finishing my Trans Am. Good write up. I have a ton of extra LEDs laying around that I would love to mess with but this car is staying as stock as possible with the exception of HIDs.
#10
11-19-2008, 08:46 PM
I took the liberty of posting his pic from another thread he has going....Such an awesome idea! I really want to do this, possibly a whiter color and not as bright. (personal preference). What type of bulb is it? Link? Thanks!
Last edited by reako; 02-23-2009 at 06:28 PM.
#13
11-20-2008, 08:39 PM
I tapped in where I did for the ability to dim the light. The LEDs will dim, only slightly. I'm probably going to put a different light in there, standard type bulb, with a bluish lens, maybe. Something that'll match the color of the dash lights. We'll see.
#14
11-23-2008, 09:32 PM
Has anybody tried installing the Honda OEM Ambient Light kit in this area? Seems more useful to me to have light on the cup holder than on my feet?!I'm guessing that the LED that goes on the passenger side will work, but I doubt the wires are long enough on the one for the driver's side.
#15
11-25-2008, 08:35 PM
Has anybody tried installing the Honda OEM Ambient Light kit in this area? Seems more useful to me to have light on the cup holder than on my feet?!I'm guessing that the LED that goes on the passenger side will work, but I doubt the wires are long enough on the one for the driver's side.
#16
02-23-2009, 04:27 PM
anyone find a good fuse# to tap into yet? wife's been
asking me to install a LED over the cupholder in my GE
as i did on my GD.
just kinda lazy to go look for a good fuse. on my GE i
used a fuse that had a delay timer..meaning, it would continue
to illumiate even after removing the key for about 30sec.
asking me to install a LED over the cupholder in my GE
as i did on my GD.
just kinda lazy to go look for a good fuse. on my GE i
used a fuse that had a delay timer..meaning, it would continue
to illumiate even after removing the key for about 30sec.
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