My 2001 TL is slowly loosing it's instrument lights. Part of the climate control is out and now parts of some of the gauges are going dark. Everything works; it's just the lights behind the panels. What's causing this and what can I do to fix it? Are the cruise and radio controls on the wheel supposed to be lighted also? I'm not interested in gluing LEDs under everything as I've seen listed on here.

 

Check the fuses. Could be a connector or something loose behind the dash ?

 

Buttons on the steering wheel don't light up, but that would be pretty sweet!

It's a 12 year old car, the old LCDs are bound to go sometime right? My 03 has quite a few out in the climate control and the sunroof and fog light buttons, I plan on doing LED.

You could go to oemacuraparts.com and buy replacement bulbs

 

Sometimes the bulbs are ok and all you have to do is clean the contacts where they sit although you will still have to take it apart to get to them. Did this to my TL back in 2010 and they still work, hope it helps.

 

I checked all fuses and everything was OK. I went to the above mentioned web site and they show several different bulbs, so I have no idea which ones I will need. I would assume that my local Honda dealer would have the OEM bulbs in stock so I can replace them one for one as I tear it apart vs. waiting for an order to come in for a week or so...You mentioned the original bulbs are "LCD" - it that correct? Does someone make an LED direct replacement bulb that would be a plug & play?

I really love this car and I really don't think I would buy a new Acura now because of the electric power steering - I HATE IT! No road-feel at all compared to my TL. My driver's seat side bolster is torn, the paint is flaking on the hood and there are numerous nasty door dings now, plus I'm on my 3rd transmission and it's starting to show signs or failure. I'm trying to decide if this car is worth dumping $2K into to fix everything or to just sell it as is and move on.

The only other car that really excited me the way this one does was the BMW 3 series and that's not in the budget and would mean vastly more costly repairs. Is the 3rd Generation TL worth moving up to? What year did they switch to the lousy electric power steering?

 

The 3rd Gen TL's are cool, try to get one of the later '07>'08 models as they have better trannys. But consider replacing your present TL's tranny with a used '06>'07 Accord V6 tranny for less than $2000 and no car payment !!!

But if ya can afford the newer car and are getting the itch, then by all means....move on forward.

 

Out of curiosity, I looked around a little online at the 3rd generation TLs for sale. Are they smoking crack?! I saw several 2008 TLs with 90K and they want $17K!

I see another brand of car in my future - that's just nuts! I love my TL, but I couldn't sell my 2001 for 1/3rd of what the 2008s and above are selling for! Heck, I can buy a really nice used, fully loaded Accord with low miles for $17K!