I'm attempting to install footwell LEDs, and am stuck in the very beginning. I think my plan is to wire the LEDs to the cig lighter, but cannot remove the e brake console. Searched for a DIY on this, but came up empty handed. If anyone has done the footwell install, or has a DIY on how to remove the console, help would be appreciated.

 

I sent a PM offering help with this install. I just did this to my 2008 Clubman.

 

Why don't you just attach wires to the sockets of the factory footwell lights?

 

Are you going to hook up these LEDs to the mood lighting system?

 

Nah I was just going to add another switch and figure out a way that it's not ridiculous looking. I guess I can look into trying to the factory lights. I don't really have a solid plan; just going to pretty much go with it and figure it out as I go along. I've never really done any electrical stuff, but if it works out I'll post pics.

 

Yeah if you dont have that mood lighting that changes like in the 2011 then go ahead and wire them to the footwell lights.

 

Why not replace the OEM footwell lights with LEDs like these:
http://www.fastmini.net/ledinli.html

 

Unnecessary amount of money. Got the strip of LEDs for $15.

 

I went with the http://www.fastmini.net/ledinli.html approach as I wanted it to look stock. Attach a picture when to get it wired. You may get bulb warnings if you try to attach a LED strip to the Minis lighting system. The http://www.fastmini.net/ledinli.html LEDs have attached resisters that fool the Minis system into thinking that the factory bulb is still in place.

 

The interior LED lighting kit from Fast MINI does not have any resistors. Its a bunch of replacement LED bulbs and for the dome light its a new part that sticks to the old with double faced tape.

They do sell a replacement LED kit for the city lights (light above the fog lights) that includes a resistor so you do not get bulb out warnings. Maybe you are thinking of this?

I purchased their interior lighting LED replacement kit last month. Its a very nice upgrade. Yes you can get it for less but they took the guesswork out for you. You get all new LED bulbs for the interior. No thinking necessary.

 

Clarification. When I said that Mach V bulbs had resistors I meant interior bulbs.

 

That is news to me. I installed all the interior LEDs last month. I did not notice any resistors. Their web page makes no mention of this. I am pretty sure that resistors are not needed when you replace the interior bulbs with LEDs.

 

Hip hop hot sause

 

Interior bulbs are not monitored, so no need for a resistor.
Be careful if you don't know what you're doing with the electrical stuff. When I was 16 (young and dumb) I tried wiring up neons all over my car, with too high gauge wire... almost caught my whole car on fire (wiring I installed started melting). Now even though I know what I'm doing, anytime I mess with electrical, I always feel the wires after connecting/testing to make sure they don't get warm.

Also, not sure if this is well known, but the mood lighting can be adjusted in the pre '11s to be any color within the range from Oj to Blue-- that is, if you hold down the toggle, you'll see the lighting start to fade between colors, instead of just toggling the switch, it'll just go color to color. Figured this out only a few months back after 2 years. doh lol

 

ok fist off.... WHY DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT THE SCROLLING THROUGH COLORS!?!?! and two i started a fire in the trunk of my old civic once. i had 10in subs and an ICE battery that was mounted by a metal bracket. well the bracket came off and the battery rolled over and made contcact with that metal bracket and sparked on some papers.. end result, car smelt a lil funky, melted the carpet on my box and burnt a hole in some home work. but =] i love me some electronics. Thankyou for teaching me more about my mini =]