how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - Printable Version +- VXOC Astra-J/GTC (https://vxoc.org.uk/forum) +-- Forum: Astra-J/GTC Section (https://vxoc.org.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=5) +--- Forum: Astra-J/GTC Howto's (https://vxoc.org.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=21) +---- Forum: Lighting How-to's (https://vxoc.org.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=36) +---- Thread: how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR (/showthread.php?tid=44) |
how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - tucpal - 25:th-Feb-2014 This is a how to for the ambient LED light that goes around the Gear Gator using the Factory LED. first step........ Is to Remove the Stereo Surround trim for removal follow this. How-to remove the head unit When you have the Trim off the next Step is to Remove the Gear knob and Gator pull back the Gator and you will see a Blue Clip. Push the Black Plastic Clips together and Pull the Blue Clip up to Remove the Gear Gator. First way to try..... If you are really in luck you may Already have the Connector needed There already and it will be just Taped up on the Loom look Down to your Right Hand Side and you will see this Connector if you have the small Connector Pictured here then you just need to Plug the LED Light in to that Connector. But if you do Not or it does not work Then you need to add Power and Ground from the Ambient Light Circuit for this to work so this is the Factory Led Light. LED INFO.......... There are Two Different Types see Picture below they have Different Connectors one for the EPB and the Bigger Connector for the car with Manuel Hand Brake. Here is a list of the part numbers and also options. For no 16 13318427 LAMP, ASSY., FRONT CONSOLE (EXCEPT CENTRE CONSOLE ARMREST) For no 17 13306445 LAMP, ASSY., FRONT CONSOLE (FOR CENTRE CONSOLE ARMREST, POC DBU) (FOR MANUAL PARK BRAKE) 13318427 LAMP, ASSY., FRONT CONSOLE (FOR CENTRE CONSOLE ARMREST, POC DBU) (FOR MANUAL PARK BRAKE) 13306445 LAMP, ASSY., FRONT CONSOLE (FOR CENTRE CONSOLE ARMREST, POC DBU) (FOR ELECTRIC PARK BRAKE) this was the spare LED light that i had with the EBP from my old interior. this is were it sits and clips into the center console. SECOND WAY..... If you have not got the small loom like the one in the above picture that goes from the LED too the bigger connector if you undo the Big Connector in the Picture above and look at the Pins in the connector on the Side that Goes to the Dash and see if it has two pins in this Position in the picture bellow The Black and White wire. Do not Cut this Connector like the Above Picture This was a Scarp Connector White is positive and black is ground check that the pins are live and working cut the little connector off the LED and push the wires from the LED into the white and black pins on the connector and turn the ignition on and headlight switch on and see if the LED lights up if it does then you just need to add two wires from the LED to the black and white wires and splice them in. ................................................................ If The above Two Ways have worked you will now have the LED working around the Gear Gator if not try the next option. tapping in to headlight switch...... you can Tap into the Ambient light Circuit and get Power from the Headlight Switch but i have been told this does not work on the GTC. Pull the Switch out by Hand. Then undo the Connector from the Headlight Switch. You will need some extra 5 amp wire too Splice the Two Wires from the LED in the gear gator to the Headlight Connector one wire goes to the Black wire at the TOP of the Connector (Ground position 6.) and one Wire goes to the Yellow wire at the bottom of the Connector (Positive position 7). Note.... (There are Two Yellow wires on this Connector so you need to get the right one at the bottom) if you push the wires into the connector at the front to check the LED works it will not light up this is normal and the LED will not work till the headlight switch has been plugged back in and turned on. After you have Spliced into the Headlight switch run the wires to the Gear gator LED Remove the side Trim from the Center Console and pull out the Storage Tray and connect the (Positive to the Red wire on the LED) and the (Ground to the white wire on the LED). I have just Pushed the Wires in to show you it Works you need to cut the small Connector off the LED and splice the wires Together. RESULTS.......... You now have the LED Working on the Ambient Light Circuit. The LED will now Light up when you Open the Door and then Fade out Then come back on when you Turn the Headlight Switch on and go off when you Turn the Headlight Switch off and come on again when you Open the Door and Fade out when the car is Locked. Storage tray LED....... You can also wire an SMD Inside of the Storage Tray from the Headlight Switch i used a LED from the Door card lights as i had one lying around The Inside of the Tray will Light up when the headlights are turned on you just need to Remove the Trim Surround and take the Tray out and make a small Hole for the SMD to Shine the Light through. As with all electrical how to,s we except no responsibility for any issues and are carried out at your own risk. if the how to is follow correctly you will have no issues. how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sheppy1 - 1:st-Feb-2015 Hey Mate! You say that you should add a connector for the black and the white and then cut the small connector off the led and join them up to the pins to get power...I'm a bit lost as to what I actually need to do there...can go reword it for me please? I have the larger connector for the manual model too. Thanks how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - tucpal - 1:st-Feb-2015 just cut the connector off the LED and take the power and ground from the headlight switch as said in the how to how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - Rusty2009 - 1:st-Feb-2015 Do have this connector in the Car? I mean the small black one by Tucpal's hand. how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sheppy1 - 1:st-Feb-2015 Rusty2009 Wrote:Do have this connector in the Car? No don't have that, only the big connecter. Know what I'm doing now anyway how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - tucpal - 1:st-Feb-2015 yes that's correct. how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sheppy1 - 1:st-Feb-2015 tucpal Wrote:yes that's correct Yeah I will do that how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - Rusty2009 - 1:st-Feb-2015 Don't cut the orig wires on the headlight just remove the sheaving from them, also stagger the them. how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - Rusty2009 - 1:st-Feb-2015 Like so. [ATTACH]311[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]312[/ATTACH] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - tucpal - 1:st-Feb-2015 you dont cut the wires on the headlight you ether splice in to the wires solder and shrink wrap them together or use snap connectors like this. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-x-Blue-Self-Stripping-Connectors-Car-Auto-Electrical-Terminal-/261399487455?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3cdc9fa3df the two wires from the LED go to the headlight switch they then join the correct color wires i have said in the how to. how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sheppy1 - 1:st-Feb-2015 tucpal Wrote:you dont cut the wires on the headlight you ether splice in to the wires Yeah I have those connectors but I need to cut the wires from the headlight switch in order to feed them into that connector don't I how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sheppy1 - 1:st-Feb-2015 Rusty2009 Wrote:Like so. Ahhh im with you now! Thanks for the picture how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - Rusty2009 - 1:st-Feb-2015 No you do that if your soldering. For a connector you don't remove the sheaving just put the wire from the switch in the fully open side and the wire your adding on in the end that is capped off then click the connector together. how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sheppy1 - 1:st-Feb-2015 Rusty2009 Wrote:No you do that if your soldering. I know what you mean now, was just having a hard time visualising it! Ha. Thanks for all your help! how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - tucpal - 1:st-Feb-2015 basic splicing but they still need solder to make a good bond and the installation shrink wrap or electrical tape https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtvi7bGenC4 basic snap connectors scotch locks but again tape them up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikZZBmvFEho how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sheppy1 - 1:st-Feb-2015 tucpal Wrote:basic splicing but they still need solder to make a good bond Thanks for the videos, they will come in use when I do other work. As I say I'm using splice connectors this time (ones posted above by rusty) so won't need to cut into those cables or even strip them will I how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sheppy1 - 1:st-Feb-2015 Hmmmm seems like somethings gone wrong :( I did everything in the tutorial, all worked and led lit up! So then I joined the black from the led to the black already in the headlight connector using the splicing connector and then decided to test again (with the yellow still connected through the front of the cable) and it doesn't work now! I removed the splicing connecter, tried feeding the wires into the connectors manually again and still nothing! Could I have blown a fuse? how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - tucpal - 1:st-Feb-2015 the headlight needs to be turned on for them to work sometimes the Cambus has a bit of a freak out just leave the car for 10 min they should come back on this will reset the cambus how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sheppy1 - 1:st-Feb-2015 tucpal Wrote:the headlight needs to be turned on for them to work Ahhh maybe that's it then, can't think what else could be causing it not to work now..I have the same red and black stereo wire as you do and have the black wire going to the black in the headlight cable and the red going to the yellow, which colours are the red and black then supposed to go too in the led? how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - tucpal - 1:st-Feb-2015 it will be one way or the other on the led how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - Rusty2009 - 1:st-Feb-2015 White is earth, could of ran the earth to the chassis. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sheppy1 - 1:st-Feb-2015 So I've spent 4 hours trying to do this; finally got it all wired up and plugged in and it doesn't work! :( think the splice connectors haven't cut into the cables properly how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - Rusty2009 - 1:st-Feb-2015 Did you use some pillars on the metal part to get them down nice and tight? I never have much joy with socthlocks, solder and heat shrink best way. how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sheppy1 - 1:st-Feb-2015 Rusty2009 Wrote:Did you use some pillars on the metal part to get them down nice and tight? Yeah I did...even stripped them back a bit first..I'll have to take another look tomorrow how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - tucpal - 1:st-Feb-2015 not if they are insulated how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sheppy1 - 1:st-Feb-2015 tucpal Wrote:not if they are insulated Well they are clamped with the connectors.. how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - tucpal - 1:st-Feb-2015 so you are saying they do not come on when you turn the headlight switch on sounds like you have a bad connection or you have used the wrong yellow wire check again in the daylight how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sheppy1 - 1:st-Feb-2015 tucpal Wrote:so you are saying they do not come on when you turn the headlight switch on No they don't :( they are definitely connected to the correct wires, I made sure I wrote down the colours and which they should be connected too before I fastened then up with the splice connectors..only thing I can think is that they didn't cut into the wires properly or the ones on the headlight switch came loose when I was plugging that back in again. Also I wired up the light switch part properly first and then stuck the wires into the led plug and all worked. So then I fed the wire under the dash, snipped the plug off the end of the led and used the splice connectors to connect the wire from the switch to the led wires...and that's when it stopped working...wondering if I could have dislodged something when I was plugging the light switch plug back in under the right hand glove compartment thing how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - tucpal - 1:st-Feb-2015 most likely a bad connection as they did work when you first plugged the wires into the connector take the scotch locks back off and check they have not cut the wires half i dont use them personally then try them again in the front of the connector and check that it works if so try and splice then together this time how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - tucpal - 1:st-Feb-2015 You have turned the ignition on when testing the Led ? how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sheppy1 - 1:st-Feb-2015 tucpal Wrote:most likely a bad connection Okay I'll do that then when I get chance after work during the week, if I still have problems come Saturday then I'll ask the garage to look at it who are doing my heated lumbar seats. Appreciate all your help and can see why you don't use those connecters! They take up far too much space! I had a hard time connecting the lights connecter back into it's socket because they were taking up loads of space and I think I could have knocked one of the splices loose when doing this. And yeah I have turned the ignition on when testing them..really annoyed me that I spent so long doing it today and it still doesn't work :( how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sheppy1 - 2:nd-Feb-2015 Last question I promise! Ha. Is there an easy way to get that headlight switch compartment out like in the tutorial? I've been doing it via the little glove compartment thing below it but I just have to guess where the cable is so it makes it very hard how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - Rusty2009 - 2:nd-Feb-2015 Put your hand behind the dash and push it out but that can be awkward. or pull the rubber of the door slightly where the airbag control in pop that off then pull the switch housing off then push the switch out. how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sheppy1 - 2:nd-Feb-2015 Rusty2009 Wrote:Put your hand behind the dash and push it out but that can be awkward. That would just be to get the switch buttons out wouldn't it though? In the tutorial the whole compartment that houses the buttons has been pulled off but I tried that and it seems pretty stuck on there how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - Rusty2009 - 2:nd-Feb-2015 Method 1 is just for the switch, method 2 is the switch and housing. If you look carefully at this pic you can see it interlinks with the airbag side trim. If a part has never been removed before it will be stiff. how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sheppy1 - 4:th-Feb-2015 Hi guys! I got the light working!!! Ha. Turns out it was the splice connectors that weren't cutting into the cables properly! As soon as I took those off and spliced the cables together by hand, it all started to work! Now my question is that was splicing them together by hand (twisted them and folded them down flat against the plastic casing of the wire itself) and then wrapping each splice in electrical tape, a safe way of doing it? I know soldering would ensure they definitely don't come loose but is the way I've done it going to be safe enough? how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - tucpal - 4:th-Feb-2015 Well glad you got it all working and don't forget to add a picture lol as long as they are well connected and taped with electrical tape you will be ok but as said a bit of solder will make it better how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sheppy1 - 4:th-Feb-2015 tucpal Wrote:Well glad you got it all working and don't forget to add a picture lol as long as they are well connected and taped with electrical tape you will be ok but as said a bit of solder will make it better That's a relief then! Was worried that wasn't a safe way of doing it...I spliced them like so: [ATTACH=CONFIG]316[/ATTACH] And then wrapped the tape around them tightly and ensured no wires poked out. I'll ask the garage to stick a dab of solder on I think when they are doing my seats (if they turn up in time!) Below are some quick photos after I did the lights while it was still light outside: [ATTACH=CONFIG]317[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]318[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]319[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]320[/ATTACH] how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sheppy1 - 4:th-Feb-2015 And a couple more: [ATTACH=CONFIG]321[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]322[/ATTACH] I noticed that they come on when unlocking the car door (love this) and stay on after the car door is locked again...I stood and watched them for about a minute but they never went off...How long does it take for them to go off again? how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - Rusty2009 - 4:th-Feb-2015 Looking good mate, do you know I've never paid attention to how long they stay on for after locking the car. how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - tucpal - 4:th-Feb-2015 are there still on now ?? how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sheppy1 - 4:th-Feb-2015 @rusty Glad you like them! Thinking of doing the door lights next [MENTION=2]tucpal[/MENTION] I got bored of standing in the cold and came back in the house, when i next went down about half an hour later they weren't on... how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - tucpal - 4:th-Feb-2015 Ok that's fine but they should go off after a minute. how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sheppy1 - 4:th-Feb-2015 tucpal Wrote:Ok that's fine but they should go off after a minute. Hmmmm very odd then! I even unlocked the car again, turned the lights to off and then re-locked the car and stood there again and they still remained on...When i get chance this weekend I'll time how long they take to go off and report back Thanks for all your help too guys! how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - tucpal - 4:th-Feb-2015 You did splice into the bottom yellow wire yes how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sheppy1 - 4:th-Feb-2015 tucpal Wrote:You did splice into the bottom yellow wire yes I did yeah, bottom (only one anyway) black and then the bottom yellow. Nothing happened when I connected to top yellow anyway, didn't even light up how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sotoskon - 14:th-Feb-2015 Hi I have this plug but with only black and white wires.Will the gear stick ambient light work if i take the light and connect its own plug in this plug...I mentioned that there is 12v in this pair of wires [ATTACH=CONFIG]349[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]350[/ATTACH] how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - Rusty2009 - 14:th-Feb-2015 It might work mate depends if the wires are in the plug (car side) I can't see why they wouldn't be. I'll grab the pin out so you can check how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - Rusty2009 - 14:th-Feb-2015 Check you have Pin 7 on the plug in the car mate how too AMBIENT LIGHT AROUND THE GEAR GATOR - sotoskon - 14:th-Feb-2015 This is my plug (pin 10 and pin 9). [ATTACH=CONFIG]353[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]354[/ATTACH] |