2023 Silverado Tech Refresh Footwell lights

[AlanK]

There are several posts about adding footwell lights to a Tech Refresh truck, but I couldn't find a final answer or a product.   

So here is what I added to my 2023 Silverado.

This design based on work done by 2020RSTBorla in 2022 for non tech refreshed trucks.

 

This is an option I would have gladly paid for.  Listening GM? 

 

Here are the details.  Bullet format to keep the verbiage down.

-2023 Silverado 1500, Tech Refreshed, High Country Trim, Crew Cab.  No footwell lights.

-Tech refresh BCM connector X1-23 does not provide dome light trigger as in previous models.  BCM message sent to Roof Console to turn on dome LEDS.

-Used TI TINA to simulate the circuit.

-Tech Refresh Roof Console generates a PWM signal to the 4 dome LEDs (crew cab).  Captured PWM signal with a ‘scope. See scope picture.

-Tapped dome LED PWM signal (X1-14) to trigger a separate double relay circuit to power footwell LEDs and other accessories. See roof console picture.

-We don’t know the PWM drive capability and didn’t want to burn it out, so used a Reed relay that only draws about 9 ma. for the coil.

-1N4001 Diode and capacitor filter the PWM signal and creates a stable DC voltage to drive coil on the Reed Relay.  See Schematic.

-Reed Relay drives the Bosch relay coil (130 ma.).  This powers the Footwell LEDs (front and back) and other accessories.

-Used a Govee LED light string from Amazon, but about anything can be used including individual LEDS.

-Used fuse F8 to tap IGN power (5A fuse).  Used Ground behind passenger side kick panel.  (Nice ground!)

-Routed signal X1-14 PWM wire (22 ga.) from Roof Console along front of windshield/headliner to passenger A pillar. Routed wire behind air bag

  down to fuse panel area.  Then under door sills to relay circuit that is mounted in after market storage bin under my rear seat. This was easy.

 

Light color is selectable and works great.  Its really nice having front and rear footwell lights.  See interior picture.  Blue shown, but easy to change on LED string controller.

 

All circuits are off when dome LEDS are off.  No power drawn until dome LEDs come on to save battery.

[silveradosid]

nice work, do you think you could have used a latching relay

[AlanK]

That's a good suggestion. Let me see if I can find a inexpensive, low coil current latching relay.  We maybe able to eliminate one of the relays.

 

Thanks!

[99Billybob]

2024 LT 1500 here. I added footwell lights to BCM connector by adding a molex pin to the

empty pin slot that GM has you use for the light up sill plates. It dims just like the dome

lights do when turning off. Way easier to do, than the method this thread talks about. I also ran 

LED light in glovebox using same +12 volt supply line as with the footwells. 

[AlanK]

99Billybob is right.  BCM X1-1 is an open pin that has the PWM signal on it for adding the chevy sill inserts.  I physically could not get access to X1 on the BCM (can't contort under dash like i used to, old age sucks!). 

 

We also don't know its drive capability.  So if you added a lot of leds you may overload it.   My LED strip added about 40 LEDS.

 

Anyway, thanks 99Billybob! 

[Goodtill]

Just tap it into you license plate lights on the BCM. Forgot the color of the module and wire pin, but you can search here for it

[AlanK]

License plate light is an interesting idea.  I hadnt thought of that.