Roberth78
Member
- Joined
- March 5, 2014
- Messages
- 26
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Southern California
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2014 Ford Explorer XLT
Hey everyone...
So I finally did the ambient light install. After careful consideration, I opted to not do the Ford OEM Ambient Light Kit available from their accessory store. I used the Sylvannia ZEVO Led kit. It was $35 for the starter kit (remote, controller, two 12" light strips, extension cords, splitter and a few installation accessories). Then I needed the extension kit (additional $25), which included two more strips, cords, and install accessories (Install accessories included alcohol pads and some 3M double side tape). The kit is originally for your car's cigarette lighter, but the optional installation stated in the instructions, state that it CAN be pulled apart and hard wired into car lighting (12V source) and ground.
As we know, our outlets stay on all the time, so of course that wasn't going to work, because I couldn't imagine pulling it and turning off every single time I used the lighting. I was sure I would leave them on at some point....So decided to hard wire (elsewhere)...
I was able to score the install directions from the FORD ambient kit and was able to see exactly what they do (on paper anyways...)
After some poking around, and scoring a wire schematic for the Explorer from a ford technician online, I found the BCM with wire 18! This wire was needed to control the OEM LED kit with the parking lights etc...and is stated in the install directions... so now when the lights go on at dusk or when your under a tunnel, etc with auto headlights turned on, the LED kit lights up the car, along with the normal operation of car lighting...
So the BCM pin 18 is located up near the fuse box... yes its a pain to get to... we all know that... remove the black panel (on a 2014), grab a flashlight, contort your body to get up in there, and you will see it (then curse from getting the damn seat track jabbed into your back for 15 minutes).
I have placed a picture in the below link with a red circle of the BCM. I was able to remove the bundle, (spring loaded bundle harness) and confirm pin 18 was a yellow green wire. Out of the back of the harness (closer and facing the firewall), there is a thick bundle of wires, and peeling back a bit of the electrical tape, there is easy access to it...There are two Yellow-green wires in this bundle. One is a 22 gauge and the other is a 20 gauge. There is a pretty clear enough distinction of the two when you look at each wire (despite the 20 vs 22). I was able to sort through the thick wire bundle and used a toothpick to push these guys forward from the bundle and then look at the wires separately just to confirm there was a difference and help confirm I had the correct wire.
I attached a t-tap to the 22 gauge, which you will see there are a ton up there using this method under the dash. And ran the positive wire from the LED ZEVO controller.
Then I attached the ground to the grounding location in the instructions (by removing driver's side scuff plate). You will see it in there. very easy to get to.
Again, this was done using FORD instructions for this kit, just didn't use/buy the kit.
What I didn't get in the install was the cup holder lighting which requires a drill and just didn't need it there to be honest. Plus I was too worried about drilling into the plastic and not being able to correct it if i messed up. Remember the FORD accessory kit does NOT include the LIMITED light rings. Its a small LED light (2) that gets drilled in and not as nice (IMO)... That was the major reason I opted to not do the FORD kit.
Take a look at the pics below in the link (hopefully works). I just shot a couple pics because it was late already. But the install took about 2 hrs max... i kept stopping to talk and check on my boys so I'm sure I would have finished quicker.
The controller is controlled by a remote control that "sees" a tiny eye that pops out literally less than quarter inch from where the drivers middle foot panel (where the radio console is) meets the rug. I tucked the controller away in here as well. and just tucked in all of the wires. There is some room in there to tuck it away.
Ill take a few more pics of the finished project tomorrow when it is daytime. was tired tonight, but wanted to share my LED project!
So I finally did the ambient light install. After careful consideration, I opted to not do the Ford OEM Ambient Light Kit available from their accessory store. I used the Sylvannia ZEVO Led kit. It was $35 for the starter kit (remote, controller, two 12" light strips, extension cords, splitter and a few installation accessories). Then I needed the extension kit (additional $25), which included two more strips, cords, and install accessories (Install accessories included alcohol pads and some 3M double side tape). The kit is originally for your car's cigarette lighter, but the optional installation stated in the instructions, state that it CAN be pulled apart and hard wired into car lighting (12V source) and ground.
As we know, our outlets stay on all the time, so of course that wasn't going to work, because I couldn't imagine pulling it and turning off every single time I used the lighting. I was sure I would leave them on at some point....So decided to hard wire (elsewhere)...
I was able to score the install directions from the FORD ambient kit and was able to see exactly what they do (on paper anyways...)
After some poking around, and scoring a wire schematic for the Explorer from a ford technician online, I found the BCM with wire 18! This wire was needed to control the OEM LED kit with the parking lights etc...and is stated in the install directions... so now when the lights go on at dusk or when your under a tunnel, etc with auto headlights turned on, the LED kit lights up the car, along with the normal operation of car lighting...
So the BCM pin 18 is located up near the fuse box... yes its a pain to get to... we all know that... remove the black panel (on a 2014), grab a flashlight, contort your body to get up in there, and you will see it (then curse from getting the damn seat track jabbed into your back for 15 minutes).
I have placed a picture in the below link with a red circle of the BCM. I was able to remove the bundle, (spring loaded bundle harness) and confirm pin 18 was a yellow green wire. Out of the back of the harness (closer and facing the firewall), there is a thick bundle of wires, and peeling back a bit of the electrical tape, there is easy access to it...There are two Yellow-green wires in this bundle. One is a 22 gauge and the other is a 20 gauge. There is a pretty clear enough distinction of the two when you look at each wire (despite the 20 vs 22). I was able to sort through the thick wire bundle and used a toothpick to push these guys forward from the bundle and then look at the wires separately just to confirm there was a difference and help confirm I had the correct wire.
I attached a t-tap to the 22 gauge, which you will see there are a ton up there using this method under the dash. And ran the positive wire from the LED ZEVO controller.
Then I attached the ground to the grounding location in the instructions (by removing driver's side scuff plate). You will see it in there. very easy to get to.
Again, this was done using FORD instructions for this kit, just didn't use/buy the kit.
What I didn't get in the install was the cup holder lighting which requires a drill and just didn't need it there to be honest. Plus I was too worried about drilling into the plastic and not being able to correct it if i messed up. Remember the FORD accessory kit does NOT include the LIMITED light rings. Its a small LED light (2) that gets drilled in and not as nice (IMO)... That was the major reason I opted to not do the FORD kit.
Take a look at the pics below in the link (hopefully works). I just shot a couple pics because it was late already. But the install took about 2 hrs max... i kept stopping to talk and check on my boys so I'm sure I would have finished quicker.
The controller is controlled by a remote control that "sees" a tiny eye that pops out literally less than quarter inch from where the drivers middle foot panel (where the radio console is) meets the rug. I tucked the controller away in here as well. and just tucked in all of the wires. There is some room in there to tuck it away.
Ill take a few more pics of the finished project tomorrow when it is daytime. was tired tonight, but wanted to share my LED project!