neocrynym

The following are the part #'s for switch assemblies from all gen 1 TSX's that had illuminated cruise/radio buttons on the steering wheel:

2005 part #:
35880-SEC-A11 SWITCH ASSY., AUDIO REMOTE & CRUISE

2006 part #:
35880-SEC-A31 SWITCH ASSY., AUDIO REMOTE & CRUISE

2007 part #:
35880-SEC-A31 SWITCH ASSY., AUDIO REMOTE & CRUISE

2008 part #:
35880-SEC-A31 SWITCH ASSY., AUDIO REMOTE & CRUISE

I’m really wanting to do this mod to the cruise/radio control buttons on my ’04 steering wheel, but I’m not sure which switch assembly to buy.

We know that all ‘05+ steering wheels had illuminated buttons, so either of the 2 choices above (’05, ’06-’08) should work. However, we also know that the ’06-’08 steering wheels were different than the ‘05 (leather grips at 10 and 2, etc.).

So, I guess I have 2 questions for anyone out there w/ an ‘05+…

1.) Would either of the switch assemblies (either the ’05 OR the ’06-’08) fit my ’04 steering wheel, or is the ’05 switch assembly the only one that would fit b/c the ’05 steering wheel is like the ’04?

2.) IF I can use whichever of the 2 assemblies I want (’05 OR ’06-’08), which has the better/different illumination? I’ve read in other threads that different years lit up differently? ie: Does the ’05 have a different color illumination than the ’06-’08?

These pictures show the 2005 switch illumination as VERY green:





However, I’ve read that other peoples' buttons illuminate more closely (more white) to the color of the rest of the interior buttons (VSA, moonroof, audio/HVAC, etc.).

Obviously I’d like to get whichever ones illuminate most closely in color to what’s already on the interior, but if BOTH choices (’05 AND ’06-’08) illuminate green, I’ll just have to experiment w/ putting different little “condoms” on the bulbs or something.

Thanks everyone!

And before the bashing begins...I'm doing this mod b/c I just want to. IMO, the interior looks incomplete without these lights, and I also once had a girl ask me if they were broken. I'm sorry, but THAT'S FRICKIN' EMBARASSING!

Oh, and one more thing...to whoever I borrowed those pix from...I apologize, but they're all I could find for reference, plus it's for the good of information

JTso

iTrader: (2)

Moving non-performance related mods to the general discussion section.

neocrynym

K, sorry 'bout that.

xenonhid

I believe the illumination is same for 05 and 06+. The lighting is not that green as it appears in the picture. I would just get the 05 switch assemblies. BTW, you sure its just plug and play?I wonder if the harnesses are different since the 05+ need to be lighted.


Here is the steering wheel removal instructions
http://www.pl-us.com/ACURA/OEM_Manua...eringWheel.pdf

JimHolloman

I expect that you are going to find it more involved than you anticipate because of the wiring. The LED's will have to be wired into the dash harness so that they will change intensity with the dash.

I have found that the steering wheel buttons are too dim at night to read if the dash intensity is set to my liking. The solution, for me, was to simply get accustomed to the placement of the buttons, so that I could find them without any thought.

Are you being too sensitive to what some girl might say? I take it that you don't know her that well. But, it was rude, inconsiderate, and unthoughtful of her -- to suggest that your car is broken. She ought to lose her meal ticket for that!

jdmturtleracin

it is what is it.. i say go purchase a lighted button set and give it a shot... it doesn't hurt to be the first "trendsetter" to try it...

alot of people bought a tsx as a beginner luxury car. and if i had a 2k4 i would defiently be trying to install those into my car as well.

GOOD LUCK and let us know how the install went.

edit: i suggest going for the 2k5 button, i believe the 2k6 and up have a different part number cause of the added bluetooth bottons to the bottom of the steering wheel.

dmassott

try it out! cause i want to do it too! i already have a '08 steering wheel on my 04 so i know there are no fitment issuses, justy wondering about the wiring?

curls

Personally I LIKE the '04 buttons since they are silver and match the surrounding trim perfectly. I've always foud the black buttons, while necessary for illumination purposes, to look too much like an afterthought because they make the silver trim on the steering wheel look out of place or incomplete.

I know the button placement 100% and don't need them illuminated at night, and will gladly take silver, matching buttons, over contrasting black ones anyday.

neocrynym

Yeah I know it's involved...I've been researching it for awhile, but I feel very confident in my electrical/wiring abilities. I've done enough wiring on countless other Honda's by now to know how they do their wiring. Plus, it's really just a matter of reading diagrams from the service manuals, which I have.

I am accustomed to the buttons, but it's more of an aesthetic thing for me. They should be lit, IMO. It just looks...not right...that they're not.

And LOL at the "meal ticket" comment. Don't worry, this wasn't my deciding factor. I had been planning this for awhile before she even noticed the issue. However, her comment didn't help

I thought about this to, but in the end, lighting > button color, for me.

neocrynym

Oh, so do we have a consensus here that the illumination color on the 05 buttons is the same as on the 06+ ???

Those lights on the 05 pics above just look soooooo green.

miked8887

Yes, I'm not saying for sure, but MY 2006 appears to have the same green illumination as the pics you posted.

I hate this green illumination... it looks like that ugly green color that cheap cars have in the dash. My old corolla had that, and I realized that I'm mentally trying to escape from that color or anything else that reminds me of the corolla. I though I was free after buying the TSX, but that same green is still there.... in my ACURA... AAAAAAAHH! I would however love to make them blue or purple somehow... or even a nice white. If LEDs could did this job, it would look 100 times better. If anyone finds out anything about this, please post.

litesout

They don't look anywhere near that green in my 08. But I never really looked that closely at it before. I could have sworn it was the same off white color as the dash and radio illumination. I'll have to have a look at it tonight when I leave work. And I just happen to have my camera with me today, so I'll try to snap some pics and post 'em up when I get home.

As far as the different part numbers, I'd be tempted to believe that they are wired differently. The 06+ models not only have the addition bluetooth buttons, but the additional buttons on right of the steering wheel for the MID. Just to be on the safe side, I'd get the 05 set.

And for the record, I like the black buttons on the silver trim. I always thought that silver buttons on the silver trim looked cheap. But that's just my

neocrynym

That'd be great, thanks!

It's strange because some people say they're green, but some say they're white like all the other dash switches...within the same years even. In the pics above, they are def. not even remotely close to the dash switches. Hmm...

I'm thinking maybe 05 would be the safe bet/easiest to wire, then I can just throw some different colored condoms over the bulbs off some spare lights out of my Civic.

miked8887

How do you remove the buttons on the dash and st wheel?

dmassott

Look up ....Here is the steering wheel removal instructions
http://www.pl-us.com/ACURA/OEM_Manua...eringWheel.pdf

__________________

litesout

Well, I was unable to take the pictures last night, but I did take note that the steering wheel buttons are in fact green like the pictures. I don't think I had ever noticed that before. Sorry about that, didn't mean to get anybody's hope up. I'll try and take those pictures tonight.

miked8887

I don't think that site's working.

kaliraver69

Here is a link on how to swap out the steering wheel, hope this helps. https://www.hondacuraworld.com/Merch...eringwheel.pdf

Ralphie917

Found this thread in my searches and in case anyone is still wondering - plugs/harness is different on the '04s and '05s for sure --- your '04 plug will not plug into your '05 controls --- would either need to splice or buy a new pig tail harness ---

The second hiccup would be that '05 has a seperate wire for illumination -- which would require you to either run a direct wire for illumination or splice into an existing wire somewhere else. Might prove to be more hassle than its worth.

kaliraver69

Somebody did this on this forum before and I think he spliced the illumination into the VSA button or something like that so we you turn on the parking lights they would turn on.

neocrynym

Oops, sorry for not updating in awhile.

I have the parts to do this now, just need to find a free weekend. I'll post up pix/writeup after it's all done

litesout

I wish you luck and look forward to seeing the write up

neocrynym

Thanks...hopefully I'll have time in the next few months. Just getting a solid weekend w/ nothing going on work/social-wise is the hard part.

dmassott

LOL any updates/?