Tired of having your car’s handy footwell lights shut off automatically just when you need them most? Luckily there’s a simple way to override the built-in timer and make them stay on permanently with just a small fuse tweak. Read on to learn this easy hack that lets you enable constant footwell illumination in just a few minutes, using basic tools and without any complicated rewiring.
What are Footwell Lights?
Footwell lights, sometimes referred to as footlights, are small lighting strips installed under the dashboard to illuminate the floor area where the driver’s and passengers’ feet are located – aptly named the footwell. They help improve visibility when getting in/out of vehicles at night by shining light directly onto the ground below.
Nearly all modern cars have footwell lighting as standard equipment. An ambient light sensor controls them, causing the lights to automatically turn on when it gets dark outside and usually switch back off after 30 seconds or so. While convenient most times, this sensor-controlled auto-shutoff can also be a nuisance.
Why Do Footwell Lights Turn Off on Their Own?
There are two main reasons why footwell lights have a built-in automatic shutoff feature:
- To Conserve Battery: Letting the lights run perpetually while parked overnight could lead to waking up to a dead battery. So manufacturers program them to switch off after 30 seconds or so to avoid excess power drain.
- Daytime Running Light Laws: Transport regulations require daytime running lights to remain on whenever a vehicle is operational. Footwell bulbs are wired to the same circuit so they must be cut out when daylight is detected for DRLs to work correctly.
Overriding the Shutoff Mechanism
The auto-shutoff that causes your footwell bulbs to turn back off again acts via a relay in the fuse box. By modifying its power feed, you can trick the system into supplying constant voltage and keep the lights powered indefinitely with a straightforward hack.
Here’s the easy, step-by-step method to make your car’s footwell lighting stay on all the time:
- Locate Fuse Box: Consult your owner’s manual for the exact location if unsure. It’s usually under the left side of the dashboard within easy reach.
- Pull Out Fuse: Identify the 5A, 7.5A or similarly rated fuse that controls the car’s footwell or interior lights system. Pull it from its slot.
- Cut Leg on Fuse: Carefully snip one – and only one – of the two metal tabs/legs on the removed fuse. Be sure to only cut one side!
- Insert Fuse Back In: With one leg severed, reinsert the fuse into its original slot or receptacle.
And that’s it – your car’s footwell lighting should now ignore the automatic shutoff signal and remain permanently powered on!
Troubleshooting Tips
If your footwell lights still refuse to cooperate after completing the fuse modification, double-check that:
- The correct fuse powers the footwell/interior lights were cut. Check the labeling or your manual to confirm. Pulling the wrong fuse won’t help override the timer.
- Only cut one leg/side of the fuse. Both left intact or both cuts will prevent the lights from staying on. Damage must be one-sided.
- No extra control modules are overriding the modification on newer vehicles. Some may require hacking directly into the car’s CAN bus wiring instead of a simple fuse tweak.
Things to Keep in Mind
Before committing to keeping your footwell lights on indefinitely, be aware:
- Increased Electrical Load: Constant lighting draws more from your car battery, especially if parked for days at a time without driving. Keep an eye on voltage levels dropping excessively over long-term parking.
- Shortened Bulb Lifespan: With no breaks in operation, the footwell bulbs wear out faster than normal. Replace any that blow on the now always-on circuit.
- LED Compatibility Issues: Aftermarket LED footwell bulbs are powered differently than typical OEM incandescents. This fuse tweak likely won’t make direct-fit LED replacements stay constant.
So provided you monitor vehicle battery charge and replace the occasional expired bulb that burns out prematurely, this simple hack lets you enable perpetual footwell visibility in just minutes!
Frequently Asked Questions
Still, have some lingering questions? Here are the answers to some common queries:
Are any tools needed to perform the fuse modification?
No specialty tools are required! All that’s needed is something to remove fuses, snippers capable of cutting metal surfaces, and potentially a basic tester to identify the correct fuse without trial and error.
Is manually hacking fuses in this way legal?
There are no regulations expressly banning DIY fuse modifications, provided you own the car. As far as road rules go, enabling permanent interior lighting via amended fuses is perfectly legal across North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.
Can this void my new car warranty?
Technically any unauthorised modifications can threaten factory coverage should unrelated faults later occur. However provided it’s done properly and doesn’t damage components, most manufacturers ignore minor electrical tweaks like an altered footwell lighting fuse.
How much should a mechanic charge to perform the modification for me?
Because accessing, snipping, and replacing a single fuse is very straightforward, labor fees should be nominal – likely less than $50 in most cases. Well worth paying for peace of mind if you don’t personally feel up to hacking car electrics.
Conclusion
Don’t let your car’s fancy yet sensitive auto lighting system have the final say on how useful your footwell lights can be. With just basic tools and skills, this simple fuse-snipping trick lets you override the annoying default timeout and enable permanent interior illumination beneath the dashboard whenever parked. Give it a try – just remember to periodically check the battery and replace any prematurely expired bulbs!