Ok there are posts on this but they are old and don't really answer the question. The map lights in the front of the TSX are actuated by the door or by the button on the console next to the bulb. They haven't worked for some time now so I decided to replace them with LED bulbs. Before anyone chimes in with negatives about the LED's let me explain what is happening.

LED's require less voltage and fewer amps than a traditional incandescent lamp. I replaced the driver side map light and it functions perfectly when the button next to the bulb is actuated. It does not however turn on when the door is open. When I plug into the passenger side the LED array slightly comes on without the door open or the switch actuated. Has anyone had this problem before? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Is engine off when it has troubles? Alternator should put out ~14V, but your batt may be much less. Perhaps the battery voltage is on the edge of turning on your LED module. What is the module's spec?

 

On my 2005 I can turn the light on by pressing it, but when I open the door the light doesn't come on at all. I don't know why, but it sounds like another common TSX quirk.

 

hmmm. that sounds more like poor connection. I encountered a similar problem. Then I took it apart and cleaned it up using DeoxIT which helped for awhile.

 

Look closely at the map lights. There is a slide switch between the lights marked with two positions "Door" and "Off". In the "Off" position, the map lights will only turn on if you press the light lens. In the "Door" position, the map lights will turn on when the doors are opened or if you turn them on manually by pressing the light lens.
(Light in rear seat compartment has slide switch with three positions
"Off" permanently off.
"On" light on manually.
"Door" light will turn on when door is opened).

I suspect that your map lights are in the "Off" position.

 

I've had LEDs installed for about a year now and recently I had my clutch done which also included a new battery being installed. When I got the car back neither side came on when I opened the doors as I've always had the switch set too. The passenger side was constantly illuminated just barely as well, the same as yours from the sounds of it. I just flipped the switch back to "Door" and they've performed perfectly since then.

I can't say why they acted differently after I got the car back, whether a technician turned off the switch at some point, or if it had something to do with the battery replacement. All I can say is they're fine after confirming the switch is on "Door".

 

did you find the answer to this problem? i just bought an 04 and i have the same problem.