This is to replace the console light bulb and allow for extra light wire. As has been noted on A-Zine the console light wire can be very short; preventing the bulb from being changed inside the console compartment. However, the RDX Service Manual shows the console light pulled into the compartment with about 7 cm of pigtail. The extra wire is there and can be easily made available. Then, future changes can be done from inside the console compartment.

Perform Do-It-Yourself auto maintenance at your own risk. You can kill or injure someone or damage the car. Work or raise an auto only on a level, concrete floor. Do not go under any auto unless you are completely certain that it is secure. You and only you, are responsible for your work and safety.

Before accessing the console light wire, the shift knob and boot assembly and console top cover must be removed.

First go here: DIY- Remove/Replace Shift Knob and Shift Indicator Light


Then go here: DIY- Remove Top Console Cover (also Replace Cup-holder)

Front and rear, left and right is ALWAYS related to the car itself, NOT how you are facing it:
LEFT is always the DRIVER side.
RIGHT is always the PASSENGER side.

Text relates to the picture below the text.

Tools and parts needed:
1. 10 mm wrench.
2. Previously used plastic pry tools.
3. Roll of electrical tape.
4. 14 V, 1.4 W or compatible instrument light bulb.
5. Eye protection, face protection, gloves and protective clothes.

Warning; there is electrical wiring inside the console, including SRS Airbag wiring. Begin by disconnecting the negative battery cable:



With the shift knob and boot assembly and console top cover previously removed, the inside of the console is visible. The console power outlet and console light wire can be seen at the front of the console.

The console light wire is not long enough to be pulled into the console as depicted in the Service Manual, because the wire retention clip is taped too far along the wire. By unwrapping and retaping the retention clip closer to the origin end of the wire, about 7 cm of pigtail is provided -- enough to pull the console light into the console for normal changes.



Here is the wire retention clip. Release it from the metal frame by pulling it away slightly and depressing the tabs with the thinnest plastic pry tool. There are 2 round holes in that locaton. Note that it goes in the upper one. Also note how much slack the wire has now:



Gently pry out the console light. Top and bottom metal spring clips hold it in. It will pivot as it comes out, because the socket is attached to the right side. Let it pivot and gently ease it out. It will have enough slack now to disconnect the light socket with a 1/4 turn.



After disconnecting the light socket, you can feed the bulb and wire forward through the console hole and pull it up to access it. This is what the wire with light attached looks like, reassembled outside the console. At this point, you could just install a new bulb and insert it into the console, then snap the wire retention clip back in and re-assemble everything.



However, if you wish to lengthen the wire, unwrap the electrical tape from the retention clip. Do not cut the tape off -- you may cut through the wire insulation.

Using new electrical tape, reposition the clip closer to the origin end of the wire. Experiment to see how much slack you need to feed the socket into the console. When you have the clip repositioned, tape it securely to the wire with new electrical tape.

Feed the socket into the console and 1/4 turn it into the light. Gently work the light back into the hole, remembering that the socket goes to the right.

Tuck the pigtail down and out of the way and snap the retention clip into the upper round hole. Now there will be enough wire to do a normal bulb change:



Here is the extra 7 cm of wire depicted in the Service Manual:



Reassembly is the reverse of removal as per the previous 2 procedures; Top Console Cover and Shift Knob/Indicator Plate.

 

The console light bulb is 14V, 1.4W. Can be replaced with a Sylvania 74 from any auto parts store or WalMart.