Cup Holder Ambient Lighting

[Dude]

Does anyone know if the method described by @Pintarrr (@Mrmike) would work for the ‘22 Badlands (USA version) which does not appear to have any existing ambient light system already in place? Would the connector as described by Pintarrr exist as unused on the Badlands (or is there another way to have lighted cup holders without tapping into the gear selector module or GOAT module? The only “ambient” lit item in the area of the Badlands cup holder seems to be the USB Ports but likely is too much trouble to try to tap into the USB module.)

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[JCampos30]

Does anyone know if the method described by @Pintarrr (@Mrmike) would work for the ‘22 Badlands (USA version) which does not appear to have any existing ambient light system already in place? Would the connector as described by Pintarrr exist as unused on the Badlands (or is there another way to have lighted cup holders without tapping into the gear selector module or GOAT module? The only “ambient” lit item in the area of the Badlands cup holder seems to be the USB Ports but likely is too much trouble to try to tap into the USB module.)

This is just a wild guess since I used to work at a dealership, BUT most vehicles do come pre-wired for accessories or features other trims have. Also I have messed with forscan quite a bit now so I’m pretty sure the ambient lighting feature can be enabled on your sync3 radio. Verify you have the plugs for example footwell area and doors as sometimes the plugs are just hanging there or taped up somewhere along the harness and most trims usually will have the cutout for where they should go if not they have the shape of where it should be cut to install. If not you could just install an aftermarket kit.

 

[Bucko]

The issue seems to be year...many BS owners have stated their 2021 and 2022's have had the wiring under the cup holder area; The 2023's do not. You'd have to perform a wiring mod to get the ambient wiring from behind the glove box/passenger side foot well area to the center console if this is the case.

Easiest way? remove the center console cup holder to see. There are several posts on this thread with pictures to show you wat you need to look for.

 

[Dude]

The issue seems to be year...many BS owners have stated their 2021 and 2022's have had the wiring under the cup holder area; The 2023's do not. You'd have to perform a wiring mod to get the ambient wiring from behind the glove box/passenger side foot well area to the center console if this is the case.

Easiest way? remove the center console cup holder to see. There are several posts on this thread with pictures to show you wat you need to look for.

Are you sure specifically for badlands? I was told the US model Badlands doesn’t have the ambient light connector under the cup holder.

my question was are there any wiring or connectors for ambient lighting in any location for ‘22 Badlands model. Was hoping not for guesses but actual first hand knowledge. Thanks!!

 

[Mrmike]

Are you sure specifically for badlands? I was told the US model Badlands doesn’t have the ambient light connector under the cup holder.

my question was are there any wiring or connectors for ambient lighting in any location for ‘22 Badlands model. Was hoping not for guesses but actual first hand knowledge. Thanks!!

It doesn't seem like a big job to just pull out the glove box and look for the footwell ambient light pigtail. The wiring harnesses may all be the same under the dash. If that's the case, then that's your power source.

 

[Glamdring70]

They're not there on a Badlands. I have an early 2021 build that doesn't have and stuff deleted by Ford. There are no ambient light wires. Not in the door, not in the console, not under the dash. The plastic "socket" that the light module plugs into IS there. It's part of the dash and heater duct assemblies. There just happens to be a small window of cars built for the option that didn't get it. Then Ford took it out completely.

I looked at adding the lights really early into ownership. I went to a dealer to look at an Outer Banks so I could see exactly what lit up and where. I actually ordered the phone tray LED module. (Wrong part, but that's another story) It's possible to start changing parts out. Get the cupholders, modules, etc. If you really want to go wild, the door pull can be lit too. The door harnesses are $180 each from Ford Parts. You still have to cut the panel or get some OB panels and the LED module (like $30 more). Like some other factory options, it just isn't worth doing the "Ford" way as aftermarket (e.g. adaptive cruise, cargo management). There are plenty of kits available for generic install that aren't a ton of wiring and programming to work. Or you could buy the Ford modules and pop them in, but then you have to do a bunch more work to light them up.

 

[Dude]

They're not there on a Badlands. …

Thank you for the info, very helpful!

 

[Pintarrr]

They're not there on a Badlands. I have an early 2021 build that doesn't have and stuff deleted by Ford. There are no ambient light wires. Not in the door, not in the console, not under the dash. The plastic "socket" that the light module plugs into IS there. It's part of the dash and heater duct assemblies. There just happens to be a small window of cars built for the option that didn't get it. Then Ford took it out completely.

I looked at adding the lights really early into ownership. I went to a dealer to look at an Outer Banks so I could see exactly what lit up and where. I actually ordered the phone tray LED module. (Wrong part, but that's another story) It's possible to start changing parts out. Get the cupholders, modules, etc. If you really want to go wild, the door pull can be lit too. The door harnesses are $180 each from Ford Parts. You still have to cut the panel or get some OB panels and the LED module (like $30 more). Like some other factory options, it just isn't worth doing the "Ford" way as aftermarket (e.g. adaptive cruise, cargo management). There are plenty of kits available for generic install that aren't a ton of wiring and programming to work. Or you could buy the Ford modules and pop them in, but then you have to do a bunch more work to light them up.

I was figuring there was a female socket to plug into, I'm hoping someone takes the plunge and orders that unit to see if the footwell ambient light will work in a plug-and-play sort of way, and what kind of Forscan mods may be needed (if any, I'm sure there are.)

I also was curious about the door handles, but that seemed like a project to tackle later. Looks like you've already started the research, it may not be worth trying unless you make your own harness.

 

[shwamo83]

Is the wired connection there only for the Outer Banks trim, or is it found in other trims as well? Wondering if this will work for my Badlands.

Unfortunately there is not a wiring harness under the cup holders on the Badlands. I've took it apart to investigate a few weeks ago.

 

[Dude]

For the Badlands owners that do not have the ambient lighting wiring, here is a quick “solution”. It’s low cost at $7, with free returns, and super easy installation. And maybe the LED light won’t blind your eyes like it does to me. And also makes better use for the nearly useless USB-A 1 Amp (low power) port (I only use the USB-C port to charge my iPhone because USB-C port is “higher power” but not by much).

Poor man’s ambient lighting solution that doubles at being annoying at night:

Bevinsee 3 PCS Mini USB Car Light, Universal Portable USB Atmosphere Light DC 5V Smart USB LED Car Interior Lighting kit for Laptop Keyboard Night Home Office Decoration, Ice Blue https://a.co/d/6WiYMfQ

 

[Glamdring70]

I was figuring there was a female socket to plug into,

They're not there on a Badlands.

They just aren't built like that. A lot of people think the car is like a PC case where you just plug and play pieces onto a standard design. No, the manufacturer would rather build different harnesses for two models instead of popping one universal part in. Right down to the fuseboxes which not only don't have unnecessary fuses installed, typically the blank fuse location isn't even wired up for use.

I added power seats to the last truck I owned. The correct fuse location was dead so I had to wire it up from the battery and then manufacture a loom myself. The seats themselves bolted right in. But I had to run wires for the power and heat functions for both seats and because the truck had a passenger sensing system, I had to take all the sensors out of my stock seats and install them into the new seats that came without those parts. The manufacturers just do not leave all those extra wires in a build.

You can totally pull off this mod with some ambition and skill, but the only time it will be a "plug and play" sort of experience is for those very select Outer Banks owners that had a build in around November 2021 through January 2022 where Ford used the harness that included those connectors, but did did not install the lights or lit components. No other trim has the option and later builds removed the vestigial connectors from the harness.

 

[Mrmike]

Finally got my illuminated cupholders done. Many thanks to members Pintarrr and JCampos 30 for their pictures and info on this mod. They were a tremendous help. Very happy with the results.

 

[JKauf55]

Finally got my illuminated cupholders done. Many thanks to members Pintarrr and JCampos 30 for their pictures and info on this mod. They were a tremendous help. Very happy with the results.

how did you end up running the wiring?

 

[Mrmike]

Are you sure specifically for badlands? I was told the US model Badlands doesn’t have the ambient light connector under the cup holder.

my question was are there any wiring or connectors for ambient lighting in any location for ‘22 Badlands model. Was hoping not for guesses but actual first hand knowledge. Thanks!!

Send me your address in conversations and I'll mail you a copy of the wiring diagrams.

 

[Mrmike]

how did you end up running the wiring?

My '23 OBX came with ambient lighting. The ambient light under the glove box has a harness with the same color wires found on the Escape illuminated cup holder. It's just a matter of splicing all the same colors and your good to go. Just spliced into the wiring harness and ran the wires through the console. Splice to the cup holder wires and you're all set. Well worth the effort in my opinion.

Contact me in conversations with your address, and I can send you a copy of the wiring diagrams if that would help.

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