Billiam

First of all, thanks to all of you that provide great information at this forum. Now for the question...

Can you turn off the headlights at night (i.e. run on just parking lights)? How about the interior lighting, is it possible to turn off the dome lights, radio lighting, etc...?

OK, how many of you are sitting out there thinking "Why the %*#@ would you want to do that?" Come on raise your hands!

My major hobby is astronomy. When you're at a dark sky observing site you pretty much have to pull in and out without your headlights on so you don't ruin the dark adaption of other people there. Same goes for the interior lights. It doesn't do much good to pull in without headlights if you open your door and flood the parking lot with your dome light.

So, has anyone actually checked to see what lighting, if any, you can kill?

Thanks,
Bill M.

ClutchPerformer

Yes and yes.

To turn off the interior lights, hold the cd/aux button (I think...I've never actually tried this) for a few seconds. All the lights will turn off except the gauges.

esr5096

dome lights are simply the switch on the lights... I think it's off - door on the front ones, and off - door - on in the back.

Billiam

Wow, that was fast! Thanks folks.

I won't be in the market until early spring but it's a relief to know that I don't have to rule out the car at the top of my "short list."

-Bill M.

ClutchPerformer

Cool. If you don't mind me asking, what other cars are on your short list?

larchmont

While we're at it...... recently I must have done something that turned off the back-lighting of the stereo and A/C controls (etc.), and I haven't been able to get them back on. I've tried holding down the CD/Aux button for a few seconds, I've tried holding down the AM/FM button, I've tried holding them both down together, I've tried holding down every other button also.

The manual seems to be no help at all on this. (I checked.)

Any ideas?

(I know, I know, I'm the one who's supposed to know about these things.....)

ssm_tsx

I would try holding down the CD/AUX botton a little longer. Is your clock out too?

Billiam

Not too surprisingly, I'll probably test drive the Mazda6, and the Accord EX V6 when the time comes. However, I'm still in the process of deciding if I want a sporty sedan or something that will allow me to haul around more of my astro equipment and maybe some camping gear. I'll probably qualify to get kicked off the board for saying this, but I'm actually considering a minivan in this regard. That pretty much means the Odyssey or the Sienna.

I'm going to wait for the Chicago auto show in February and try to narrow things down then. At this point, the TSX is at the overall top of my list. I'm just concerned about having enough room for my astro goodies. A friend of mine has similar equipment and he manages to (barely) fit all of his stuff in his Integra so hopefully I'll be OK.

larchmont

Believe me, I held it down REAL long. I mean REAL long. In fact, I also held it down real short, as well as everything in between.

And no, my cock's not out.

KJC

Anybody want to touch this one with a ten foot pole?

larchmont

Heh heh, he said pole.

ssm_tsx

hhmm, I'm not sure what's wrong with your car then. Whenever I hold down the AUX botton the clock goes out too.


Well, I'm glad your cock isn't out...

larchmont

Yes, it does that, but the clock comes back on the same way -- completely as it's supposed to be.

But those buttons stay un-lit no matter what I do, so far.

esr5096

I thought the lighting for the buttons/backlight for the stereo and AC were controlled by the same dinner that controls the lighting on the speedometer area, you know, the knob on the right side of the speedometer that you turn. Did you recently change the lighting on your dash larch?

925tsx

wow, i wanted to try to do that, but now im a little hesitant. i odnt want to do it until i know they will come back on.
Let us know what happens

larchmont

Sure I did. No effect.

It's looking like something's just wrong. Will get it checked out if we don't figure out something soon.

sheik28

Is the radio on when you try to get the lights back?

bowersan

Larchy, are your lights on?

The buttons arent lit unless the lights are on (xenons/headlights/nightlights).
Holding cd/aux just turns off the cd display and the clock. I've tested this many, many times. Turning on your headlights turns on your button backlights.

If the stereo is off, then the lights wont be on either.

J.

larchmont

Yeah. Weird, huh?

Does sound like something's wrong.

bowersan

Very weird. Wait till nightfall, see whats up.

J.

bowersan

So wait, you cant see what speed your going at? like the speedometer and tachometer are black? grab the little twisty thing on the right hand side and turn it clockwise. Make sure the key is in the ignition and the car has power (you can hear your cd playing)

J.

larchmont

No, no, no -- if you look back at what I said, you'll see it isn't that at all.

I'm talking about the buttons that control the sound system, A/C etc.

Glenn

The interior light rheostat controls the interior lights in two ways: 1) with the driving lights off - it provides an intensity setting for the dash lights; and 2) with the driving lights on - it provides an intensity setting for the dash lights and the radio lights. Settings for both are maintained independently. With the light off (normal day-time condition) the dash light will only illuminate if the solar sensor detects an exterior lighting level below a certain threshold (not sure what this threshold is but they come on if you enter a tunnel or the sun goes down).

The lighting works this way on the Canadian TSX and I assume it does for the rest.

Hope this helps.

sheik28

If you guys read THE EASTER EGG THREAD you would know what Larch is talking about. We found a way to go completely stealth and have every interior light OFF not just DIM. So some of you may be a bit off track as to exactly what's being discussed here.

Now Larch...Make sure the radio is ON when you try to get the lights back.

larchmont

It is.

So far I'm passing all the obvious tests. Does sound like something's just wrong.

sheik28

Those obvious tests are needed due to your.....ahem... title

ClutchPerformer

Yes, it's on page 3 for those who are new. I'd actually like to try this sometime, but now I'm scared because I don't know if I'll be able to get them back on....

925tsx

Ditto!

mojox20

hey larch i have the exact problem as you. the clock, stereo and a/c do not light up. i've tried everything. i see it very faintly in the sunlight. have you been able to solve your problem. i plan on having it checked out tomorrow at the dealer.

thanks

larchmont

No, not yet. I'll have it checked out when I have my next servicing, which will be soon.

Nice to know I have company (I guess).

mojox20

hey larch i just got back from the dealer. they are going to replace the stereo and further "diagnose" it because they are not even sure what's wrong.

keep u posted.

larchmont

Well, if it was me, I wouldn't let them do that just for that. I'd insist on a little more "research" first.

Like, when your internet stuff stops working, and you call the server, and they insist it isn't a system-wide problem but it must be something on your end, and they try to troubleshoot you through it, try to get you basically to take your room apart..... then you see a truck outside, and the guys tell you, "Yeah, the whole town is out." Kinda happened to me the other day.

(I didn't let them make me take the room apart.)

Creaminz

and you said COCK's...

mojox20

i understand what you said larch, but it's really annoying when your whole dash is dark. if they are gonna replace it im gonna let them, besides it's covered under warranty and i get a loaner to beat on lol

gomez_regina

You'd be AMAZED at what you can haul in the TSX...my dad & I managed to load up 4 8' 2x4's and 2 6' 2x4's into my TSX...had the back seats down and the end of the long 2x4's resting on the top of the front dash (with a towel underneath to prevent scratching).