Illuminated Cup Holders.

[matt_a]

I used the Search but didn't see anything on this, so forgive me if it's been covered before. My wife and I were out in her Versa tonight and I realized that it could really use some illumination in the cupholder area. It just so happens that I have some orange LEDs left over from a previous project. They seem to be pretty close to the color of the dash & stereo. I was thinking that if I installed one or two in the space just above the cup holders (shinning down) it might look pretty nice. The LEDs would be recessed up in so that you wouldn't see the bulbs themselves...only the light they cast. Can someone explain to me step by step how to access the spot behind the heat & a/c controls just above the cup holders? Thanks in advance.

[COVersaSL]

cool idea good luck!

[Clipsed]

why not drill a hole in the side of the cup holder, and have them face the front of the car, then when you put a water bottle in there, it glows orange!

[matt_a]

why not drill a hole in the side of the cup holder, and have them face the front of the car, then when you put a water bottle in there, it glows orange!

That's how I have the cupholders in my Scion xA, only those glow blue. It does look pretty cool when there's nothing in the holders or with a water bottle in there. But if you have anything dark to drink (Coke, tea...whatever) it doesn't show very well. Plus then you're blocking the light. I personally think that in the Versa it would look better to have them above pointing down. I just need to know how to access that area behind the A/C controls. Anyone know how?

[Martin Roy]

I just need to know how to access that area behind the A/C controls. Anyone know how?

I don't know how, but our friend "service manual" might come in handy. I know everytime I have that kind of question, I always find the answer in there, with a bunch of diagrams and wiring. You can do a quick search for it, CodeRed uploaded a .zip file in one of his posts.

[Ever Victorious]

I don't know how, but our friend "service manual" might come in handy. I know everytime I have that kind of question, I always find the answer in there, with a bunch of diagrams and wiring. You can do a quick search for it, CodeRed uploaded a .zip file in one of his posts.

It's available from the downloads section of the portal page.

[matt_a]

I'll check it out and see if it explains it clearly enough for me. Thank guys.

[PB]

It may look cool,Post a pick when done.

[idunno22221]

i actually have blue led's shining up from the bottom of the cup holders..i'm not sure how to get behind the hvac area or whatever..but the cupholders were some what easy..there are just 4 screws holding it in. i'll try to take some pictures tonight so you can see what they look like!

[reyes1212]

You should email Chrispd, he did that with 3 LEDs right under the a/c part. all you need is a screwdriver and pop that little part under the ac and drill some holes. but yeah ask Chrispd.

[matt_a]

You should email Chrispd, he did that with 3 LEDs right under the a/c part. all you need is a screwdriver and pop that little part under the ac and drill some holes. but yeah ask Chrispd.

Awe shucks...ya mean it wasn't an original idea? LOL.Thanks for the info! I will email him now.

[Chrispd100]

Yea, that bottom part under the AC controls just pops right off and I drill three holes right there and then wired it into the rest of the interior lights so that they just come on automatically... It was not that hard.. pretty easy.

[matt_a]

Yea, that bottom part under the AC controls just pops right off and I drill three holes right there and then wired it into the rest of the interior lights so that they just come on automatically... It was not that hard.. pretty easy.

That's great news! I want to be clear though....how exactly does it pop off? How did you pry it and where? I started to do it, but I was afraid I was going to break something.Sorry for all the questions. I just REALLY don't want to break anything. Thanks.

[Chrispd100]

when you look underneath the first crack towards the front just stick a screw driver in there and pop it right off... i will post a pic

[matttail]

This sounds like a very cool project. Where are you planing on getting power from for the LEDs?

[Chrispd100]

and as far as the power source... the panel right next to where you control your side mirrors just pop that off and tap into the wire that dims your interior lights.. that how i did mine and so they turn on and off when you turn your parking lights on and off...

[Chrispd100]

And yes i know my car needs to be cleaned really bad... thanks for reminding me

[Demonspawn]

thanx chris i have been wanting to add some lights inside since i got my versa but have not broke down and done it yet.

still trying to finalize the lighting scheme i want!

[KimberKenobi]

sweet!! I want to do that now!! ;oD

[versaspeed.com]

I'm trying to find something out about that idea........picture in the photo/blog section on my site it's a Versa oem accessory.

[reyes1212]

HAHAHA good job, Chris, everyone's likin it.Still...i like those other blue lights you have.

[Chrispd100]

Since the color of my Versa is the blue color i decied my color scheme should be blue and green so i have the Green in the cup holders and Blue under the dash and behind both seats... i like it.. i want to add some more.. i will get a picture of it..

[Chrispd100]

I know its dark but you get the idea....

This is the front from the driver

This is the back from the drivers side..

[matttail]

That's so awesome! Where did you pull power for those lights? Or are they battery operated?

[Chrispd100]

Read above.... I taped into the rest of the interior lights so that they automaticly come on..

[matttail]

sorry, I'm an Idiot. Thanks.

[reyes1212]

So thats afe and everything battery wise right?

duh

;p

but hey Chris that's awsome.

[matt_a]

I finally got around to doing this little project. It was super easy and I really like the way it turned out. I used two orange LEDs so the color would match the stereo and gauges.The color matches much better in person than it does in the pics. I installed each one directly above each cupholder so they shine straight down on them. The Led's are offset to match the cupholders. Anyhow, here are a few pics.

[Clipsed]

looks cool, but AMBER would have been the color to match.

[matt_a]

looks cool, but AMBER would have been the color to match.

Thanks. To tell ya the truth, I don't really remember what color the LEDs are. I bought them over a year ago for a different project. They actually match very well in real life. I'm not sure why my camera picks it up as a totally different color. When you're in the car at night, it looks perfect. My wife says it looks like it would have come from the factory that way (which is what I was shooting for).