freebieman

i have the same question as wsdivall. Any takers?

Awakened

Are there pics detailing the replacement of the clock bulb or a link to fully describe the procedure??? I've looked all over this site and the only info I find is the removing of the 2 screws and pulling the black cover off. I tried to no avail. Thanks,

totaledTL

All you have to do to remove the bulb/base from the socket is turn it a few degrees w/ a small screwdriver. There's a slot for the screwdriver blade in the plastic base to do so. It's simple.

mikebikelife

iTrader: (3)

Worked great for my 01 CL . We just dont have a fog switch, so only 2 to undo on the left . Very Helpful !

John Echols

Can anyone tell me how many LED's you would need to do the entire instrument cluster and the dash? I really want to replace all of the lights in the switches, clock, gauges, ets to LED's. I have already replaced the dome light bulb, door courtesy light bulbs, center console bulb, license plate light, and glove box bulb with white LED's, now I want to do the dash as well. If anyone knows how many of each size, (I am guessing some are 3 mm and some are 5 mm) that you need, I would greatly appreciate the information.

imbystox

If you go with all LED's do you lose your ability to dim the dash lights?

Larry1030

Great write-ups and photos, fellas. I'm going to fix mine this weekend. Thanks everyone.

Anachostic, though I gotta give you some advice - next time shut the ignition off before you pry off the instrument panel! ... just a hopefully helpful suggestion. You could do a lot more damage if you accidentally short something out.

Larry1030

Just did mine. It took around 30 minutes. If I had to do it again it would take 10 due to the learning curve (despite all the good advice here I still had to mess around a bit to figure it out.) Lessons learned:

1. Don't mess around with trying to reach behind without removing all the wire connectors first, unless your hands are tiny and your forearms bend like a goose's neck. Just remove the five connectors on the right side and the two on the left side (maybe three if you have fog lights?) and it will be much easier.

2. Similarly, just remove the steering column cover right off. It takes only a second - just pull it straight up, and it just snaps back in in another second. It isn't 100% necessary but the more room you give yourself to manipulate the bezel/panel the easier it will be.

3. A compact makeup mirror will be very helpful. Work in a place with good ambient light.

4. Be careful not to damage the driver's side air vent. It is attached to the back of the bezel with a tiny clip and a screw and as you try to pull the bezel out you can easily twist it. I broke the tiny clip and although I was able to get it all back together it would have been easier if the vent were still properly attached to the bezel.

5. Don't drop your screwdriver into the opening behind the bezel. I did this while trying to get the light bulb detached from the back of the clock without removing all the wire connectors. I managed to retrieve it. It was at this point I decided to remove all the connectors and by doing so I was able to pull the bezel out farther and also tilt it so the rear of the clock was tilted up which both made it more accessible and also meant that it was easier not to drop the screwdriver or bulb down behind. Just do it.

BTW I got the bulb for free (and it is an incandescent lamp, not an LED - that's why it burned out.) I went to the dealer and gave them my part number and the attendant asked me for my name and address and phone number (the last of which I refused) so they could put me in their computer => advertisement nag list. Then he disappeared for a good five minutes and when he came back he said their computer network just went down so he gave me the bulb for free.

Lastly, I have one question: why is their a thread just about the CLOCK light? Don't the other instrument panel lamps also burn out? While I was working in there I noticed the climate control display had what looked like two similar looking lamps - maybe I should have replaced those at the same time?

wng

Just changed my light bulb and wanted to add in my experience. I:

1. Lowered the steering wheel to the lowest setting.

2. Removed the two screws at the top of the instrument panel.

3. Pulled out the right side of the dash, starting with under the AUTO and OFF buttons. I pulled out the dash to above the steering column, but the clips to the left of the steering column I was having difficulty with and I didn't want to force it, so the right side of the dash was out an inch, but the left side was still attached.

4. I unplugged three connectors under the right side of the dash and was able to fit a small screwdriver behind the clock and unscrew and take out the lightbulb. I loosened the old bulb and tapped on the front of the clock to make it fall out, but screwing in the new one wasn't easy because you can't see well so it's difficult to tell if your screwdriver is in the slot. After a couple of tries, I tapped on it and felt it to make sure it was screwed on correctly.

If I had lots of difficulty, I would try again to take off the entire dash, but this worked out well enough.

jean plouffe

Hi, I am having a similar problem but it is with the night light in the climate control console. Thats the big LED screeb, looks like a navigation screen but without the navigation, above the radio in a 2002 MDX?

RIK-ROK

This kind of writeup is very helpful. Due to cold weather conditions here in Alberta I am reluctant to try this now, but the site is bookmarked and I will try this fix when it warms up (afraid the dash with crack with the cold temperature

HookedOnSonics518

Your instructions were so detailed. Thank you very much! Personally, I didn't have to remove the climate control knobs, plus the dealership only charged me $4.34 for the new bulb. Other than that, it was a breeze.

3.2TLc

Hey HookedOnSonics518, welcome !
Just wondered if ya tried the old trick of giving the dash clock a love tap ?
I was going to tear into my dash panel as detailed, but was spared by doing the tap !
Surprised the heck out of me that it would even work at all, but it's still ok a year later.

Probably quit tonite !!!!!

jzhu625

iTrader: (2)

got mine done today!!!! Thanks!

fog80

what other bulbs are shown on the panel cluster other than the radio? I need to change out my climate control light as well.

LongRX7

This video might help some of y'all that want to see the dash removal done...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7PPyaN2fs30" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

LongRX7

Ok, guess embedding video does not work here or I'm not authorized to embed, here is the link then...

hotclick56

I added couple of pictures of where the clips are located on the instrument bezel. Look for the areas where the blue tapes are & carefully pry it out towards you with the tool pictured below.

centma

I know this is an ancient thread, but I thought that an update to reassure readers about parts and prices might help...even though one could easily search elsewhere for the info.

P/N has been updated: 35505-S0K-A01, ought to be in stock at your Acura dealer (my local dealer had 2 in stock, and said they immediately ordered 5 when I got them).

Acura dealer retail price is $3.00 each (February 2014). The online dealers that discount factory parts a little are around $2.20 or a little higher (but then you probably have shipping costs).

real_ruckus

great write up. my clock has been out since i have owned my tl.

i noticed in the pics that there are blue screws similar to the one for the light.

does any one know what bulbs fit in those? or if those can modify the color of the climate control and buttons?

just curious and i will keep checking the feed for more info.

i know some one out there has an answer.

losymis

My light is also out...will be changing it as well..thanks for your input guys

rollinstone

The lights behind the AC/OFF and Defroster/Rear Window Defog and Manual Fan switches are out. I was able to pop off the dash trim, but the connectors?...do those just pull straight out or is there a pressure clip that needs to be pressed while pulling?

musiclevelz5

Every connector in the car has a release tab you have to press to get the connector halves to separate. If they made connectors without the release tab then eventually it would work its way free.

Use both hands and firmly disconnect the halves while pressing on the tab. It should separate with ease. Use a light to get a better idea of where the tab is.

rollinstone

Thanks, Musi... kinda thot so, but the release clips just don't show up as obvious... and sure didn't want to ruin a connector in mid-winter... that's my wife's car...

rollinstone

2002 3.2 TL...instrument panel lights with the plastic base and wiring wrapped around the base...heater controls area...I found something similar on superbrightleds.com, but the smallest package is 50-99...I only need 5. Does anyone have another source? Hard buggers to find!

rollinstone

Also...what are the part numbers for the fog/sunroof lights? Looks like they stopped working after I removed the instrument trim...damn! And the clock light, too! When it rains it pours!

Is the clock light the same part number as the climate control lights: 35505-S0K-A01

My Acura dealer near Seattle wants $9.00 ea for those bulbs!

Curious3GTL

Are the same part number used to replace the bulbs on the auto/off switches?

johnson-rod

If you take out the radio/CD player the clock light is easily accessible from below.

Roger Berman

I finally got around to changing my clock bulb now for the life of me cannot figure out what happened with my headlights. Just after changing and putting everything back together I was getting ready to leave and turned on my headlights and they have lost their minds... Tried many times and couldn't get both to turn on at the same time. One will turn on then neither, then the other then nothing. Then the other... Any ideas?

Acura_9771

damn RadioShack stopped carrying the bulb man I've been on da hunt all day for it..now I guess I gotta wait till Monday and just go to the dealership..damn this sux..

therealjgall

I have been thinking about trying this. New to working on cars but this sounds simple even if it's tedious. My clock has been out since I got the car earlier this year and it wasn't much of a problem before, but now that it gets dark so early I can never see what time it is

savemytls

35505-S0K-A01

Thats what you want to get from your dealership

Darksyne