Make under dash lights brighter
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Make under dash lights brighter
Hey guys I dont know if you guys already figured this out or if you wanna make your leds under your dash brighter. I did so heres a no cost way to do it.
1. pull under dash panels down. see pics below showing most clips. Driver side has a twist fastener. i am pointing to it in a pic.
2. twist out the tinted black housing around the blue led light harness from the under dash panel.
3. unclip the tinted black housing from the blue led light harness.
test light intensity before doing step 4 because you cant go back after if it is too bright for you.
4. drill out the center portion of the tinted housing. i drilled out the entire center to prevent shadows.
5. reinstall and your done.
let me know if you have questions.
some pics just are to show how bad my carpeting job was done. I dont think my bmw was like this.
1. pull under dash panels down. see pics below showing most clips. Driver side has a twist fastener. i am pointing to it in a pic.
2. twist out the tinted black housing around the blue led light harness from the under dash panel.
3. unclip the tinted black housing from the blue led light harness.
test light intensity before doing step 4 because you cant go back after if it is too bright for you.
4. drill out the center portion of the tinted housing. i drilled out the entire center to prevent shadows.
5. reinstall and your done.
let me know if you have questions.
some pics just are to show how bad my carpeting job was done. I dont think my bmw was like this.
Last edited by HAWAII-TSX; 07-10-2010 at 01:03 AM.
The following 11 users liked this post by HAWAII-TSX:
andy809 (04-07-2014),
Anthracite (11-12-2011),
bigwavedave25 (01-17-2020),
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edmonb (08-28-2016),
and 6 others liked this post.
#3
Drifting
Oh my! I don't even realize that there's under dash lighting!!! I guess it's either so dim that I don't notice it, or it's not working!!! I need to go and check.... thanks!
#4
I'm in the same camp. ...never noticed it. Is it supposed to be ambient when you're driving at night, or are they supposed to come on with the overhead LEDs when you open a door, or both? My last car (BMW 335) had under dash lighting that came on with the overheads that was not part of the orange ambient lighting at night.
#7
Racer
Thread Starter
Before i drilled out the tinted covers i took them off and painters taped the light back to the panel and drove around like that for a week to see if I liked it better.
Just like the rest of the guys I had to look for it to realize it was there. now it gives a nice blue. I have black interior so the brighter light is kinda needed.
I try to take pics again tonight.
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#9
Racer
just went out and did it to my driver side. I drilled a small hole first (1/16th) and then drilled a few more and went a little bigger each time to prevent cracking the plastic. I like it. I want to do the passenger side next. Any tips on how to pull down the passenger side under trim? Thanks.
#10
Racer
just went out and did it to my driver side. I drilled a small hole first (1/16th) and then drilled a few more and went a little bigger each time to prevent cracking the plastic. I like it. I want to do the passenger side next. Any tips on how to pull down the passenger side under trim? Thanks.
#12
Racer
Thanks. I will do it tomorrow. My carpet was exactly like yours on both sides. The driver side does not look so bad in that at least it is straight across. The passenger side has that strange cutout in the corner. I noticed that a long time ago while cleaning but figured it was just my car.
#13
Racer
Thread Starter
Takehold when i was trying to take my passenger side down i originally started pulling on the trim right under the glove box. Dont be an idiot like me and do that. the plastic starts after this small padded trim.
and thanks at least i know my car is not flawed in regards to the carpeting.
and thanks at least i know my car is not flawed in regards to the carpeting.
#14
Racer
thanks - I will be careful when pulling it down. and thanks for tip on the lighting. I always knew it was there and always wished it were brighter but never got to investigate it. I changed just about every other light though.
#15
Racer
#17
Racer
Thread Starter
#18
Racer
Thread Starter
The following 4 users liked this post by HAWAII-TSX:
echodigital (02-06-2014),
mr_raja (04-26-2013),
ngravatt (03-17-2014),
Steven Maslauskas Jr. (01-07-2020)
The following users liked this post:
5k23tch (03-03-2023)
#21
Racer
Thread Starter
i doubt it but im sure you can order the part. if not just put a tinted plastic piece in between the plastic piece and the led again. im sure you can find some plastic thing at a craft store and a single hole punch that will prob do it.
I don't think I would wanna go that dark again anyway. maybe something in between would be nice.
I don't think I would wanna go that dark again anyway. maybe something in between would be nice.
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bigwavedave25 (01-17-2020)
#27
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Hawaii
Age: 38
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Ya Kaimuki side. Just got my TL bout 3 months ago, traded in my TSX. Couple minor mods so far. Waiting for that ATLP quad exhaust. Gotta have loud pipes livin in Hawaii lol.
#28
Racer
Thread Starter
cool I live Aina Haina. I love my car just got it 1 month ago. I traded in an 08 X5. and am very happy to be back with an Acura.
Nice to see some Kamaaina on here. LOL Take care and post some pics.
Nice to see some Kamaaina on here. LOL Take care and post some pics.
#29
The following users liked this post:
Steven Maslauskas Jr. (01-07-2020)
#34
Safety Car
iTrader: (1)
honestly, its just too easy to pull the part out and drill it out and put it back in...i am not kidding when i say it took my 5 minutes to do...
and what a difference it makes...totally worth it...
#35
i doubt it but im sure you can order the part. if not just put a tinted plastic piece in between the plastic piece and the led again. im sure you can find some plastic thing at a craft store and a single hole punch that will prob do it.
I don't think I would wanna go that dark again anyway. maybe something in between would be nice.
I don't think I would wanna go that dark again anyway. maybe something in between would be nice.
#36
I just did this mod last night too, took me all of 5 minutes to remove these and put these back in, however, slightly longer to drill and hollow these out. Overall, it was a mod that was very very worth it.