What is involved for replacing the shift selector light or rear defrost light?

I imagine, since Ken1997TL writes the instructions on the site all the time, the selector light starts, "Unscrew the shifter knob." and goes on from there like the description here. At least 3-4 are needed for the shift selector, and then some more. But is 5-11 needed for the rear defrost light? If so, step 10 probably means I'll live with it dead.

 

I am not certain on the sizes. Are you talking about the lights on the center console?

 

Yeah, non-naivi, the rear defrost is right above the ash tray on the right, but in the center console. I remember reading in this forum that you can pop out the center one to get the radio ID, making me wonder if there are ways to get to the button lights back there.

 

Shift gate light

Get a flat head screw driver or knife. Be careful not to scratch the console. Pop up the trim around the shifter(the one that holds the seat heaters) There is one bulb that is in a socket that youll see once you pop up the trim piece.

Rear defroster

Pop out the switch. If you kinda push on the side of the button, it will pop out a little more, and you can get a better grip on it and pull it out. Disconnect the harness. Flip the switch over. There will be two little pieces that screw into the switch. One is for the indicator light on it and the other is for the illumination. They probably take that same bulb so just replace both if you cant figure it out. You can take out the old bulb and youll re use the socket. If youve read Kens DIY on the dash its the same style light bulb

Hope this helped and just to cover my butt, do this at your own risk.

 

Both were easier that I imagined--I got each done in about a minute. The shift gate light was actually there but just not replaced by the tools at best buy who installed the XM radio. I just popped the trim around the shifter (didn't even take off the shift knob) and put the bulb back where it should have been all along. My fingers (even though I spaced it an cut my nails right before doing this) got the trim up almost immediately.

The rear defroster was also easy with your instructions. Once you get it out, figuring out the right light is a piece of cake: turn the car on and push the rear defrost button--the one that is not glowing is burned out... now, I just have to figure out where I'm going to get the part without playing $20 in shipping. I hope the body shop right near me will be willing to order it for me. Since most cars in the areas are luxury cars, I'll bet they will have an Acura order once a day or so.

Thanks for the tips!

Everything is always at your (my) own risk in life.

 

I recently realized that I basically never ride in my car at night. I got in it last night and noticed that I have three lights out in the console (auto AC temp selector and fan speed), and two of the driver's power window console. Sigh.

It sounds like if I try to get the console out I will probably damage my vent, so I don't think I'll do that.

 

If youre careful it wont hurt it. Ive taken my center console apart probably about 25 times and its fine. Just use 2 thin knives. Maybe ive just gotten used to pulling it out and not caring though.

 

So... how do you use the 2 thin knives?

 

You should really get the manual for your car. Its invaluable and will tell you how to do this stuff. here is jpeg of the page. You might be able to use it, but get the manual, its free.

 

Thanks for the top. The manual is there, but my computer opens it in acrobat, not the browser, so I can't get anything but the first page. WTG Honda!

 

If you downloaded it, and unzipped it, it should open it in acrobat. Just go to the top and click table of contents and a new window will pop up.

 

Oh, you're talking about the service manual, posted on some DL site? Right...

 

The instructions are pretty confusing. Just to be clear, it looks like I open up those two B clips at the same time and then pull towards the back seat and all the other clips just pop out. Is that right?

 

once you get the shift plate bezel (holding the seat heater switches) out, and the center console wood out (containing the ash tray) and remove the 4 screws holding in the main console, I've found it's best to grab the main console by the bottom (which is now accessible) and start working it side to side, pulling toward you and down a little. once the main console's sides have come out of the dash enough, you can just start pulling at it with your fingertips and it should pop out without too much fuss. I too have done this a couple dozen times and once you do it once, it's no big deal. just don't pull too hard to get it out or you may break the thin parts of the wood around the upper vents.

 

jerm1386, so you never remove the center air vent? If you do remove it, when in that process do you remove it?

 

forgot to ask what year your car is. in the 99+ the center vent comes out with the main console. the image that was posted earlier in this thread was for a 96-98 and in that one the center vent does in fact have to come out first.

 

Okay, I have a 99, but the service manual (for various jobs) has you take out the center console first and sometimes has you start with the vent. Made me wonder if it was an oversight on the next page where they describe 99+.

Anyway, I'm very happy to hear the vent stays in place--sounds like it will not be that bad after all.

Bulbs should arrive soon. If I'm brave I'll crack the radio and see if there is a way to replace bulbs in there too.

 

Okay, got the parts and it is the wrong size... sigh. The 72 is much larger than what is in these sockets. I think I have to buy a neo wedge for like $4 each even though it is obviously just a $0.5 light bulb in a holder that I already own.

Has anybody found a p/n for these?

 

Okay, I'm in the middle taking out the A/C / radio unit. I'm still unclear, what am I supposed to be careful about as I slide it out. Based on what jerm1386 said, it soulds like I just need to go slow?

 

Okay, now that I'm done, I have no idea how it worked, but somehow it just worked. I can't say I was very careful, just slow. However, nothing was damaged. I think this thing has been popped out quite a lot before. There was even a random (non-car related) business card sitting on the SRS control unit (the box under the stereo) as if it had been placed there.

Also, I had asked a local shop to replace the clips on one of the A-panel carpeting bits and turns out they just put some sort of chewing gum equivalent in there (gee, thanks).

Anyways, it was all for naught, turned out I needed more wedge bulbs again (sigh) so I ordered them.

 

glad it worked for you. crap can get in there by sliding between the center panel and the ash tray panel just below it.