Yes only work with the ignition turned on,,I have set it once and never used it again.

Ross

 

I have ambient OEM lighting which in the footwell I find almost useless, so added additional footwell lights which double as better ambient lighting.



http://www.kugaownersclub.co.uk/forum/31-mk2-modifications/10819-rear-footwell-lights.html

 

My Kuga is an ST-L, so already has the ambient, but I do plan to instal the same LEDs which are located in the front footwells in the rear, under the front seats, because (a) anyone who has kids knows full well that you need light in the back (to search for anything a kid might drop), and (b) it just seems wrong that the front of the cabin is fully lit and the back is in complete darkness (if the kids want to take a nap, I can always turn off the ambient).

Installing the factory ambient is a bit troublesome (if at all possible), however I've done the same thing you did in my previous car (Citroen C5), by installing optical fiber in the spots were the factory ambient should be, and connect it an interior lighting wire.

 

I bought some parts from a scrap dealer for mine, I didn’t want multi colour lighting so I removed the led chips from the door cards and put the blue ones in. The roof console wiring is not there, so using the wires from the connector I bought from the scrap dealer I made my own loom so I can dim the ambient lighting, but I can also have mine on during the day, unlike the factory version. I don’t have ambient footwell lights or the strip above the glove box. But the std footwell lights are ok for me, might try and extend these into the rear.

 

I get my kuga st x in the 13th Oct can’t wait. Does anyone know if you can add ambient lighting as an aftermarket mod directly from fords?

Cheers

 

Nope, it's a factory option only and dealers are pretty hopeless at identifying and sourcing the bits, that is assuming that Ford actually makes them available to the after-market at all.

 

That doesn’t surprise me, I asked them to put the rear camera in (as I thought it was standard) when it got to the showroom and surprise surprise no can do. Shocking since I can get one fitted at a local garage!

 

I’m adding ambient lighting to mine piece by piece but it’s not multi colour just blue, but not sure I would want to add it to a brand new car which I am assuming yours will be?

 

I have now made a few more additions. I have managed to add front footwell (not pictured) and rear footwell ambient lighting with the help of the American cousins Escape model. This Really was one of the easiest mods I have done. Thank you Fillco
for all your help.

 

I am REALLY interested in this, could you provide a bit more detail about items' finis codes and procedure ?

 

Codes are a problem as I don’t have any but basically I purchased a badly scratched Escape rear centre console section from America on a popular auction site. This came with a bracket, two LEDs with light tubes etc. The rear section is a completely different shape so I removed the light bracket from the Escape version and after drilling and a small file later I made two elongated holes in the same place on my Kuga version, glued the light bracket in place, connected the cables to the cup holder led and hey presto. I’ll upload a few pics, but the rear console is held in with four torx screws and just pulls up and off. Btw mine already had the 230v power socket, but this is not important, it would easily fit a Kuga with the 12v socket.

 

Rear ambient lights

Hopefully my attachments will uploadangel:

 

Rear Ambient lights

A few more pics

 

OK, so we probably need someone in the US forum, to provide some Finis codes for the rear ambient light fixtures (which apparently is only a US thing). I only expected the rear doors and footwells to also be illuminated, so this rear center console is an additional fixture...

 

Hello Ace, these are the rear footwell lights for the Escape as the light guide tubes are elongated they throw the light across each rear footwell. Having searched everywhere I have come to the conclusion that the rear doors don’t have ambient lighting even in the Escape. I’m in the process of making my own version using door handle light guides from a 2017 Focus. I’ll post details once in have had a go.

 

Edge Ambient lights

Hope this is allowed but I found this picture of a Ford Edge which shows ambient lighting under the front seats and in the front and rear doors

 

The image

Sorry forgot the image surprise:

 

I think that's the best place for them too Dave, under the seat, thats where I've always fitted my rear footwell lights, they tend not to blind the occupants if they are bright.

 

I’ve got the bright white LEDs needing a home, as I have previously mentioned Phil, I might try and fit them under the Seat for the rear footwells when the door is opened like the front footwells. Only problem I can think of is I have a small dog who likes to park his rear end under the Seat. First problem is the LED’s get quite warm so would need a casing or light guide, and second he might knock them.
There is plenty of space inside the rear section of the console, so one idea is to use similar lenses like the front ones and cut into the housing. But not really oem!

 

So far, I've -more or less- decided that I will just buy two of the front footwell fixtures (about 70 euros each!!!), install them under the front seats and just connect them to the front fixtures. Should work with minimum fuss and just a few meters of wiring...

Don't know what (and if) I'll do about the rear doors...

 

Ace not sure where you are planning on buying the lights from but the part number is 1757822 and over here I can buy them for £70 for the pair direct from Ford!

Btw does yours have an ambient light above the glovebox?

 

Yes, the front of the cabin has ambient everywhere, door handles and bins, under the dashboard, glovebox and center console.

I buy most of the parts/accessories from an authorised dealer, who always applies a 15% discount on all prices for members of Club Ford Hellas. Price after discount is about 55 euros for each fixture, so 110euros for the pair, I've seen more or less the same price everywhere, such as here

I dont know the difference between 1757821 and 1757822, they seem the same, according to Ford7Zap one is for LHD and the other for RHD, and according to my VIN I have the 821. Not to mention that the exact same part appears with different codes (and prices) in the Focus as well. It's a mess...

 

Yes you mentioned you were thinking of the option of putting your white ones under the seat. Do they get that hot to touch.



I fixed my under seat LEDs to the top of the heating outlet using good double sided tape, a location which may be well away from your dog as there is metalwork of the seat should prevent him going too far under.


I still think its odd (or cost cutting) that for the UK market, they dont think ambient lights, which I guess would normally act as rear footwell lights too, are not required.

 

Ace it doesn’t surprise me that Ford use different part numbers for the same part on different cars. I found this with the rear fog light lenses. If anyone is interested the Ecosport White lenses are the same shape and size as the red ones on the Kuga. I have fitted red bulbs to these for the Fogs, and look great on a White car!
Phil yes the LEDs have small heat sinks which get a tad warm, not enough to burn but not sure I would be happy with our Charlie sitting against them for any amount of time. I have some spare number plate lenses and bulb holders from my old Focus which I am thinking of using under the seats, which should help.

 

Ambient dashboard light

Finally got around to installing the ambient lighting above the glovebox, there are a couple of shadows from the plastic moulding but pleased with the result. Have to say this was a real pain to fit. Does anyone out there have a photo of theirs at night so I can compare?

Thanks

 

I’ve just bought a brand new 2019 model ST Line, it has lighting in the footwells, centre console lighting up the cup holder’s, front door pockets and the interior door handles.
It has an Ambient Lighting button on the settings menu on the SYNC3 system, but it is not highlighted, does this only work with the ignition on and,or the side/headlights?
Or, does the Kuga have these places lit as standard.

I’m just wondering, as the car won’t be delivered until the middle of next month and I’ve only had a mooch about when it was in the showroom.

 

does this only work with the ignition on and,or the side/headlights?

That's the case with the earlier models. Try looking at an owners manual online eg. at www.ford.co.uk

 

Yep I’ve got it and think it’s a gimmick.