2022 RWD Footwell door pocket light mod?

[Steve Thurston]

Hello,
Has anyone tapped into dome light circuit to add footwell and door pocket lighting to m3 Rwd ?
I would like to add footwell and door pocket lights, and for them to turn on/off with the dome lights

The easiest way I can think of adding footwell & door pocket lighting would be to tap into the puddle light circuit with a delay off relay, but this would only allow them to be turned on when the door is opened, and turn off after a certain time after the door is closed.

I would prefer them to work with dome lights.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[metalblaze]

Hi - I recently picked up my M3 RWD, and looking to add footwell/door pocket lighting. I am coming from an X5, and this seems like a basic feature for cars at this price range these days.

Have you be able to implement your idea? If yes, will appreciate sharing details.

Thank you!

 

[Steve Thurston]

Hi - I recently picked up my M3 RWD, and looking to add footwell/door pocket lighting. I am coming from an X5, and this seems like a basic feature for cars at this price range these days.

Have you be able to implement your idea? If yes, will appreciate sharing details.

Thank you!

No I have not, I guess noone on here has tried.
If I do add them, it will have to be via a seperate switch or a delay off timer from the puddle lights.
Please let me know if you end up getting them working/added.

 

[Ernest H]

I too picked up my M3 RWD in the March 2022 shipment (MIC in Aus). Looked up various threads and other forums and only seen two options. (1) B pillar harness / connector; or (2) dome lighting. with (1) I guess it should be easier to tap into since you only need to access the panels along the B pillar; whereas (2) is a long way from the floor.

 

[PauliePucks]

You could also grab a bonus module from ingenext which will set you back around $450+, but it will activate the pocket lights and the rest of the ambient lighting in the footwells, activate full fog lights when headlights are on (you’ll need to install full OEM fog lights otherwise you’ll just get DRL and turn signal lamps with the lights currently installed in an SR+), amongst a few other extra features (track mode, battery heating, rear heated seats, heated steering wheel). Just an extra option. It does require you to install a dongle that’s not the easiest thing to do but it’s not too terrible.

Only drawback is I do not know if they have support for AMD MCU yet, that might be something to ask them about if you’re interested.

 

[Ernest H]

You could also grab a bonus module from ingenext which will set you back around $450+, but it will activate the pocket lights and the rest of the ambient lighting in the footwells, activate full fog lights when headlights are on (you’ll need to install full OEM fog lights otherwise you’ll just get DRL and turn signal lamps with the lights currently installed in an SR+), amongst a few other extra features (track mode, battery heating, rear heated seats, heated steering wheel). Just an extra option. It does require you to install a dongle that’s not the easiest thing to do but it’s not too terrible.

Only drawback is I do not know if they have support for AMD MCU yet, that might be something to ask them about if you’re interested.

thanks mate for the reply - however in Aus where we live, our 2022 RWD does not come with pocket lights (harness and the cutout for the lights are gone since 2021); fog lights are not on RWD version; and that heated seats and steering are not needed because where I live (in Perth, Western Australia), summer gets up to around 42+ degrees celsius, or +107F), so nah, heating isn't so much needed here. But yeah, I'm more after the wiring diagram to the dome light so that it could be tapped into and lights up / turns off when the door closes and delay triggers the dome to turn off.

 

[PauliePucks]

thanks mate for the reply - however in Aus where we live, our 2022 RWD does not come with pocket lights (harness and the cutout for the lights are gone since 2021); fog lights are not on RWD version; and that heated seats and steering are not needed because where I live (in Perth, Western Australia), summer gets up to around 42+ degrees celsius, or +107F), so nah, heating isn't so much needed here. But yeah, I'm more after the wiring diagram to the dome light so that it could be tapped into and lights up / turns off when the door closes and delay triggers the dome to turn off.

No worries!!! Didn’t realize they removed the hardware side of things too on the newer year models. Boo! Hope you get it sorted out, although they’re a bit underwhelming after you have them

 

[Steve Thurston]

thanks mate for the reply - however in Aus where we live, our 2022 RWD does not come with pocket lights (harness and the cutout for the lights are gone since 2021); fog lights are not on RWD version; and that heated seats and steering are not needed because where I live (in Perth, Western Australia), summer gets up to around 42+ degrees celsius, or +107F), so nah, heating isn't so much needed here. But yeah, I'm more after the wiring diagram to the dome light so that it could be tapped into and lights up / turns off when the door closes and delay triggers the dome to turn off.

Wiring harness and bulbs are installed, they are disabled my software.

 

[Ernest H]

Wiring harness and bulbs are installed, they are disabled my software.

thanks Steve. I've yet the time to take the door trim off to examine (got another issue with the other car requiring to replace the door latch actuator.... ) but echoing what you're saying, I think I was wrong to think the harness was removed from our cars. Referring to this T

https://twitter.com/x/status/1213715327877468160

Seems like the harness is there, wiring is there, LED is there, just that it is software-blocked. Oh well, next project would probably to re-check the wiring on the dome light connector and see if I can confirm which wire is for the switched dome +ve. I don't mind running it down all the way to the floor, just need to figure out which exact wire it is. Unfortunately there's no one with proper wiring diagram and only thing I've found was a YT video on a dude taking the panel out and confirming there's constant 12V there on pre-2021 models (more so for dash cams).

 

[Steve Thurston]

thanks Steve. I've yet the time to take the door trim off to examine (got another issue with the other car requiring to replace the door latch actuator.... ) but echoing what you're saying, I think I was wrong to think the harness was removed from our cars. Referring to this T

https://twitter.com/x/status/1213715327877468160

Seems like the harness is there, wiring is there, LED is there, just that it is software-blocked. Oh well, next project would probably to re-check the wiring on the dome light connector and see if I can confirm which wire is for the switched dome +ve. I don't mind running it down all the way to the floor, just need to figure out which exact wire it is. Unfortunately there's no one with proper wiring diagram and only thing I've found was a YT video on a dude taking the panel out and confirming there's constant 12V there on pre-2021 models (more so for dash cams).

In a couple of weeks I'll be playing with tapping into puddle light feed and switching footwell and door pocket lights from prob acc feed with a delay off circuit (not dim off)
This is not exactly what I want (dome connected footwell lights) but my 2nd option, this weekend is installing l/h/s doors soft close and self presenting door handles.

If I get it working off puddle lights (easier install) I'll then prob look into how to tap into dome lights for the switching.

 

[Steve Thurston]

In a couple of weeks I'll be playing with tapping into puddle light feed and switching footwell and door pocket lights from prob acc feed with a delay off circuit (not dim off)
This is not exactly what I want (dome connected footwell lights) but my 2nd option, this weekend is installing l/h/s doors soft close and self presenting door handles.

If I get it working off puddle lights (easier install) I'll then prob look into how to tap into dome lights for the switching.

Other car door latch actuator?

 

[Ernest H]

In a couple of weeks I'll be playing with tapping into puddle light feed and switching footwell and door pocket lights from prob acc feed with a delay off circuit (not dim off)
This is not exactly what I want (dome connected footwell lights) but my 2nd option, this weekend is installing l/h/s doors soft close and self presenting door handles.

If I get it working off puddle lights (easier install) I'll then prob look into how to tap into dome lights for the switching.

I thought about using puddle light as that's far easier in terms of proximity but it will power off as soon as the door is closed. Yes delay off switch can work but I'll then need to find a constant power which vc_front no longer offers. Maybe cigarette 12v as that's quite accessible.

Yes my others car is a H-brand diesel SUV to carry the fam plus a noisy and needy choc lab. This brand unfortunately is known to have a easily worn latch actuator which dealer would charge you $1k AUD for parts and labour though it cost $90 just the part itself. .......

 

[bgeh]

I thought about using puddle light as that's far easier in terms of proximity but it will power off as soon as the door is closed. Yes delay off switch can work but I'll then need to find a constant power which vc_front no longer offers. Maybe cigarette 12v as that's quite accessible.

Yes my others car is a H-brand diesel SUV to carry the fam plus a noisy and needy choc lab. This brand unfortunately is known to have a easily worn latch actuator which dealer would charge you $1k AUD for parts and labour though it cost $90 just the part itself. .......

Have you looked at

which uses the centre console light power, and also a relay so they stay off in Sentry mode - I'm not sure with how the relay achieves that though.

I'm also in Perth and potentially using a local car tech specialist to look into this, who seems familiar with this.

 

[Ernest H]

Have you looked at

which uses the centre console light power, and also a relay so they stay off in Sentry mode - I'm not sure with how the relay achieves that though.

I'm also in Perth and potentially using a local car tech specialist to look into this, who seems familiar with this.

Thank @bgeh and yes, I've gone through that vid a number of times. While I've also taken out the console revealing the ciggy lighter 12v constant, what I really want is the footwell lights to align with the lighting up of the some light. No need for any additional relay or delay timers. I've just taken out the dome light panel revealing a very damn short harness behind the hazard light. Doesn't give me much room to tap but will test with multimeter and see which one is the switched dome.

 

[bgeh]

Thank @bgeh and yes, I've gone through that vid a number of times. While I've also taken out the console revealing the ciggy lighter 12v constant, what I really want is the footwell lights to align with the lighting up of the some light. No need for any additional relay or delay timers. I've just taken out the dome light panel revealing a very damn short harness behind the hazard light. Doesn't give me much room to tap but will test with multimeter and see which one is the switched dome.

Ah fair enough! Is the ciggy lighter run off the same wire at the console light?

 

[Ernest H]

Ah fair enough! Is the ciggy lighter run off the same wire at the console light?

Hahaa.. I wish it was that simple. Unlike traditional 12V ICEs, where I can literally add anything and everything to the car, Tesla's run everything off computer which measures the amperage running through any particular wire and if it detects something that's not as listed (eg. you upgraded a much more powerful boot LED light), the e-fuse may/will trip. You may want to see my other response in the auto-frunk and adding LED off the frunk button here (Frunk LED Light Strip for Model 3 or Y). Read through from there to end and you'll see wiring in Tesla is fun and frustrating at the same time.

Since you're in perth also @bgeh, which tech were you planning to use?

 

[Steve Thurston]

Hahaa.. I wish it was that simple. Unlike traditional 12V ICEs, where I can literally add anything and everything to the car, Tesla's run everything off computer which measures the amperage running through any particular wire and if it detects something that's not as listed (eg. you upgraded a much more powerful boot LED light), the e-fuse may/will trip. You may want to see my other response in the auto-frunk and adding LED off the frunk button here (Frunk LED Light Strip for Model 3 or Y). Read through from there to end and you'll see wiring in Tesla is fun and frustrating at the same time.

Since you're in perth also @bgeh, which tech were you planning to use?

I didn't read through the article because I fluked my frunk led strip issue, I had the frunk opening and closing in the app (even though it was closed), even got frunk error to contact tesla service, and emergency open button not working (close button if frunk open)
My solution was to ground the leds to chassis instead of using the return from the emergency frunk release button, worked a treat now (2022 rwd)

 

[Ernest H]

I didn't read through the article because I fluked my frunk led strip issue, I had the frunk opening and closing in the app (even though it was closed), even got frunk error to contact tesla service, and emergency open button not working (close button if frunk open)
My solution was to ground the leds to chassis instead of using the return from the emergency frunk release button, worked a treat now (2022 rwd)

That's great to hear. So much I'm learning working on Teslas as I'm definItely from the carburetor era kind of old dude (think 74 Fiat 128 3p, 75 Corolla, etc). Anyway, report back on the dome light... No go. The wires and plugs are way too thin.. I can already imagine starting a fire.

So power off the dome light module might be off the list..

 

[Steve Thurston]

That's great to hear. So much I'm learning working on Teslas as I'm definItely from the carburetor era kind of old dude (think 74 Fiat 128 3p, 75 Corolla, etc). Anyway, report back on the dome light... No go. The wires and plugs are way too thin.. I can already imagine starting a fire.

So power off the dome light module might be off the list..

I'm going to grab one of these in a couple of days to see how they work

Arduino Compatible 4 Channel 12V Relay Module | Jaycar Electronics

These handy relay modules provide the easiest way to use your Duinotech development board to control switching of real world devices.

www.jaycar.com.au

 

[Ernest H]

Just noticed the service and repair manual (not owners) is free. Have just signed up with UK as it is right hand drive. Check link in article. Tesla's Service Manuals Now Free Of Charge, Grab Them While You Can