OEM ambient lighting install

[87350gta]

I have been wanting to put ambient lights in my Explorer for a while now. I work at a Ford dealer, so I have been so jealous of the new cars with them. Well, luck came my way the other day. One of the other techs got a used console from the junkyard for a used car he was working on. He only needed the console lid, and was going to throw the rest away, but I snagged it first. It had the factory ambient lighting, so I got to looking at what else would be needed. As luck would have it, the entire system on that vehicle was self contained under the console. The module, wiring, switch, and 8 color changing leds were all there. I had to drill holes to mount it in my console, run a keyed power, ground, and interior light power wire, and BAM! ambient lighting. It only took about 2 hours to install. If interested, it was from a 2010 Escape. Here are some pics. If anyone wants to know how to drill the odd shaped hole or wiring, let me know.

 

[87350gta]

They are not as bright as they look in the pictures. There is also 2 lights in the lower rear of the console for the 2nd row floor.

 

[zerodevil]

Friggin sweet broham!! More pics of the install?

 

[Kewowskata]

Awesome!!!!! Been wanting to do this also! Just didn't know how until now! And yea man, what did you have to modify?

 

[87350gta]

I hardly had to modify anything. The escapes use a "plug" with a clear lens that snaps into the led. I just had to match the same shape of the hole. It is shaped like a egg with a flat bottom. I took a step bit "unibit" drilled to the 3/8" step, then angled the drill to only let the top cut, then it took th top only to the next step, which was 7/16". Then I took a thin flat file and made the bottom flat. The plug snapped right into place. Then it was just a matter of drilling the rest of the holes and routing the wiring. It only needed 3 wires hooked up. I cut a hole in the console to mount the selector switch. I also routed the rear wires with the 2 rear LEDs to shine out of the floor vents in the bottom rear of the console. If I had it to do again, I would have made the front LEDs shine out of the vents also, but I cut the holes before I thought of it. The system out of the 2008 and up escapes seems to be the easiest. It is all self contained and mounted to the bottom of the console trim piece. Should be easy to find in a late model junkyard. I will try and get some detailed pics tonight.

 

[Eric1249]

Very cool. More pics of the install would be great.

 

[Joe Dirt]

The cool thing is how cups of Mountain Dew, Sprite, etc... all light up. My kid thinks the phenomena in our Escape is hilarious.

 

[Limited02]

We love the ambient lighting in out 2010 Milan and I wouldn't mind doing something like this to my Explorer.

Nice job!

 

[87350gta]

Sorry for the delay, I just got the switch mounted today and finished it up. I took a picture of the required hole for the lights, and my choice for switch location. I was first going to put it in the console, but decided to use the power point location. The switch is from an Edge instead of an Escape. The switch is the same internally, just externally different, plus the Edge has a bezel that mounts the switch. I might get a different console later on and put the switch where the factory traction control off button is, it looks like the same type and size of switch.

 

[millermi]

Ambient Lighting

I saw your post on adding the ambient lighting. I am trying to do the same thing to my wife's 2007 Fusion and my 2004 Focus SVT. Do you have the wiring/pinout for the Escape switch and how it wires into the circuit? I have a complete ambient system but the Fusion switch doesn't have a spot on the 2007 model. I got a mustang switch which is probably the same as the escape but I can't find a pinout. Any info on how the switch wires in would be great. Thanks.

 

[wheelin'explorer]

Just depending on what kind of switch you have probably determines the wiring. I made my own ambient system in my explorer and just picked up a simple lighted switch for my local autoparts store, then wired that switch in. Works fine.

 

[IAmTodd]

Looks great!

Is it just me or is the switch in it's blurry state look like an SUV trying to climb a hill with the sun out? Didn't know they had hill start assist!

 

[87350gta]

Looks great!

Is it just me or is the switch in it's blurry state look like an SUV trying to climb a hill with the sun out? Didn't know they had hill start assist!

I totally does, that is funny. I had planned on getting a new console piece with advance trac button between the cup holders. The escape switch fits perfectly into that hole and looks factory. Plus I can put my cigarette lighter back in.

 

[Mike Bodnar]

I know this is an older post.. Can not access the pictures. I am trying to add Factory ambient lighting to my 2008 Mariner. But I do not know how to wire the factory switch. Can you send me
info on this. I would greatly appreciate this....

 

[87350gta]

 

[87350gta]

You just put keyed battery power to the wire in the pic and ground the other wire. It’s a very simple circuit to the module. You can run a wire to the switch from the dash lights so the switch will light up with the headlights on, but it’s not required.

 

[Mike Bodnar]

View attachment 178941 You just put keyed battery power to the wire in the pic and ground the other wire. It’s a very simple circuit to the module. You can run a wire to the switch from the dash lights so the switch will light up with the headlights on, but it’s not required.

I tried to wire this to a battery charger and it will not turn on. I followed the instructions.Looked really easy , but it won't light. I can get the switch to come on but that's it

 

[Obnoxious]

Is it possible to reupload this? I am planning on doing a similar mod to this for my 2008 since I used to have a 2012 focus with them and I missed them...