TunerMax Under hood lighting Mod DIY
02-14-2011, 07:58 PM
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TunerMax Under hood lighting Mod DIY
Update: 07/01/2011 - Finally installed Neon lighting, see page 2 for more photos and update post. Also added a couple pics and Video to the OP (see below)
I had a free SMD LED board from HIDextra and decided to install some under hood lighting, something they should have done at Nissan.
Thought I'd share this with you guys I'm sure there are quite a few of you that would be very interested in doing this.
Tools Needed:
1. LED Board, preferably 3x3 or larger SMD type with 3M tape backing I recommend installing a few, or using standard incandecent lighting (I'll be changing to that set up) It's up to you, wiring is the same.
2. About 10-15' of 2wire cord. 18AWG is fine
3. 2 - 18AWG 'butt' connectors
4. 1 - 3/16" shrink tube
5. Solder and electrical tape
Locate your security system hood switch.
This switch is GROUND triggered. Unplug it, you want to tap into the Security circuit side, that's the yellow wire.
Strip it or cut it, up to you, but you want to tap into this wire.
Run your wire, I mounted my LED board next to the A/C tag, you can put multiple lights (I'll definitely add a few later, or change out to incandecent lighting) or put them where ever you want. I'm just showing you where I chose though.
Run it under the hood insulation, over to the hinge and around your strut tower mount, over to the fuse panel next to the battery, and finally to the yellow wire for the hood switch. Do a good job of this or you'll just blow a fuse and have to re-do it anyways. Make sure the wire isn't going to rub anywhere and make sure it's well secured.
Strip back the 2 wire cord, separating the 2 wires from each other. Strip back one wire until it's separated at the fuse panel. I didn't take pics of this, I apologize, you can just bare the wire and install it on the 'out' side of a 10A fuse, or you can do it properly and remove the fuse panel, and solder into the 'out' terminal of a 10A fuse port.
Either way make sure you fuse it, you'll be running live power constantly to the hood light(s), and that wire moves every time the hood opens.
Now hook up the other wire to the yellow wire on the hood switch.
If you have labeled 2 wire (tracer line on one wire) then you can just hook up the LED + to + and - to -. If you're unsure, bare the wires and test them, as soon as it's hooked up correctly the LED's will come on.
Double check that they shut off when the switch is depressed:
Now secure all wiring, loom, and shrink wrap connections, tidy up and enjoy the light when you open that hood!!
Start to finish this took me about 20mins in the dark. Expect a bit more if you're adding more lights. A Cheap, quick and very usefull upgrade!
And for those of you concerned, NO this will not in any way affect your security system.
Updated photos with 30cm Neon strips (2):
Dusk:
Dark:
Video:
I had a free SMD LED board from HIDextra and decided to install some under hood lighting, something they should have done at Nissan.
Thought I'd share this with you guys I'm sure there are quite a few of you that would be very interested in doing this.
Tools Needed:
1. LED Board, preferably 3x3 or larger SMD type with 3M tape backing I recommend installing a few, or using standard incandecent lighting (I'll be changing to that set up) It's up to you, wiring is the same.
2. About 10-15' of 2wire cord. 18AWG is fine
3. 2 - 18AWG 'butt' connectors
4. 1 - 3/16" shrink tube
5. Solder and electrical tape
Locate your security system hood switch.
This switch is GROUND triggered. Unplug it, you want to tap into the Security circuit side, that's the yellow wire.
Strip it or cut it, up to you, but you want to tap into this wire.
Run your wire, I mounted my LED board next to the A/C tag, you can put multiple lights (I'll definitely add a few later, or change out to incandecent lighting) or put them where ever you want. I'm just showing you where I chose though.
Run it under the hood insulation, over to the hinge and around your strut tower mount, over to the fuse panel next to the battery, and finally to the yellow wire for the hood switch. Do a good job of this or you'll just blow a fuse and have to re-do it anyways. Make sure the wire isn't going to rub anywhere and make sure it's well secured.
Strip back the 2 wire cord, separating the 2 wires from each other. Strip back one wire until it's separated at the fuse panel. I didn't take pics of this, I apologize, you can just bare the wire and install it on the 'out' side of a 10A fuse, or you can do it properly and remove the fuse panel, and solder into the 'out' terminal of a 10A fuse port.
Either way make sure you fuse it, you'll be running live power constantly to the hood light(s), and that wire moves every time the hood opens.
Now hook up the other wire to the yellow wire on the hood switch.
If you have labeled 2 wire (tracer line on one wire) then you can just hook up the LED + to + and - to -. If you're unsure, bare the wires and test them, as soon as it's hooked up correctly the LED's will come on.
Double check that they shut off when the switch is depressed:
Now secure all wiring, loom, and shrink wrap connections, tidy up and enjoy the light when you open that hood!!
Start to finish this took me about 20mins in the dark. Expect a bit more if you're adding more lights. A Cheap, quick and very usefull upgrade!
And for those of you concerned, NO this will not in any way affect your security system.
Updated photos with 30cm Neon strips (2):
Dusk:
Dark:
Video:
Last edited by TunerMaxima3000; 07-04-2011 at 08:29 PM.
02-14-2011, 08:36 PM
#3
Sweet write up tunermax, I feel like lots of domestic vehicles have lights under the hood but not the imports.
Alternate ways of getting power could use a fuse holder, fuse, and tap off the battery if people are interested.
Just some other led hood lighting for an idea
First/personal fave - too bad it couldnt take the heat
I run a vleds 24 inch strip for the past few months, it's super bright and its holding up great
Alternate ways of getting power could use a fuse holder, fuse, and tap off the battery if people are interested.
Just some other led hood lighting for an idea
First/personal fave - too bad it couldnt take the heat
I run a vleds 24 inch strip for the past few months, it's super bright and its holding up great
Last edited by luvlexus101; 02-14-2011 at 08:38 PM.
02-14-2011, 08:55 PM
#4
Sweet write up tunermax, I feel like lots of domestic vehicles have lights under the hood but not the imports.
Alternate ways of getting power could use a fuse holder, fuse, and tap off the battery if people are interested.
Just some other led hood lighting for an idea
First/personal fave - too bad it couldnt take the heat
I run a vleds 24 inch strip for the past few months, it's super bright and its holding up great
Alternate ways of getting power could use a fuse holder, fuse, and tap off the battery if people are interested.
Just some other led hood lighting for an idea
First/personal fave - too bad it couldnt take the heat
I run a vleds 24 inch strip for the past few months, it's super bright and its holding up great
Your installs are always clean as hell...
OP: Thanks for the writeup. I've been trying to find a way to do this forever, but wasn't really sure how I should go about it. I may just do this in my spare time this weekend.
02-15-2011, 02:27 AM
#5
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Just a side note too, if running incandescent lighting you should do as stated above and add a separate fuse holder. Or you can install a female prone into one of the blank fuse locations in the fuse block next to the battery.
I want you to come do all my lighting mods for me.
Your installs are always clean as hell...
OP: Thanks for the writeup. I've been trying to find a way to do this forever, but wasn't really sure how I should go about it. I may just do this in my spare time this weekend.
Your installs are always clean as hell...
OP: Thanks for the writeup. I've been trying to find a way to do this forever, but wasn't really sure how I should go about it. I may just do this in my spare time this weekend.
02-15-2011, 06:03 AM
#6
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This is what I had in mind, except one at the front of the hood and one at the rear so when you're leaning over the hood you still have light in the engine bay.
Link to where you purchased them?
It's LED strips, incandecent tubes, or fluorecent tubes, LED's would look the best and use the least power, but may be more expensive than I can justify.
Link to where you purchased them?
It's LED strips, incandecent tubes, or fluorecent tubes, LED's would look the best and use the least power, but may be more expensive than I can justify.
07-04-2011, 08:47 PM
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Yeah I'm actually a little ticked off, I had another one that was still good, but I messed with it too much trying to get it 'perfect', and it broke. I was going to put it on the back side (towards firewall). Oh well, it still turned out ok, and I can always add it later, just need to buy another neon.
03-25-2012, 07:28 PM
#16
Funny story, I left my oil cap off for a couple days by accident and a whole bunch of oil got absorbed into it. So I just tore it down. Looking into a dynamat hood kit or something similar to replace it.
03-26-2012, 06:23 PM
#17
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ahhh that sucks dude!
Why not just hit the wreckers? OEM is light and works well, it also looks great. Just saying this isn't really something that's worth doing aftermarket, OEM is just fine.
Why not just hit the wreckers? OEM is light and works well, it also looks great. Just saying this isn't really something that's worth doing aftermarket, OEM is just fine.
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