sr1sws

Yeah, I'm slow, but I just figured out that type-S models have ambient lights in the footwells.

Well, I want my base TL to have purdy blue ones.

Anyone done a mod like this? Suggestions or pitfalls?

Steve

csmeance

some have done this with led strips and CCFL's, I believe they tap into the lights in the center console compartment.

sr1sws

Thanks. I have a bid for 50 blue LEDs on eBay (NO, I'm not installing all 50!). I figure I'll wire 4 in series on a breadboard and mount them *somehow*. Possibly pull power from seat heater switches' "center bulb" which will have them switched on/off with the dash lights.

Steve

TL|GTX

MY 08 Base has purdy blue ones built in.

csmeance

this was added on 2007+ TL's

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Steve,

I had this done in my Type S, so I put in red lighting. I have this done both in the front and back of the Type S. I used 8" LED's, but I had the install done by a local custom car stereo dealership here in Kansas City. This cost me $200 total (including installation). I think they are wired into the fuse box and they turn on when I turn on the headlights.

Here are some pictures...you'll see I've also got red door lighting that I switched out myself along with the illuminated red door sills.

Front seating-passenger side...


Rear seats-these rear LED's are mounted on the kick plate below the back seat-not under the front seats (where they could more easily be kicked and knocked out).


Here is both of the front underdash lighting....



Here is a reflective shot of the driver's side, with the red LED's reflecting on the Dead Pedal with the Type S logo on it.

sr1sws

Steven B. - wow, that looks really nice ;-) When you say "8 inch LEDs" I assume you mean an 8" strip of LEDs? Can you tell me how many LEDs are in the 8" strip? I don't want to "over bling" (a technical term) when I do mine.

Thanks for the info!

Steve

bhelsdon

I tapped into the glovebox light on the right side and the trunk release light on the left side. I used a strip of 4 leds on each side. I had to put 5 layers of blue painters tape over mine because they were way too bright.

sr1sws

Nice, thanks. How did you mount? Double-face tape? Mount on firewall or just on the under-dash "covers"?

Thanks!
Steve

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Steve, you are correct-they are 8" strips. But I'm not sure how many LED's are in there. One of the pictures show the LED's on the front passenger side. I'm not sure if that will show you what you are looking for, but give it a try. Actually, they also came in 10" strips, but the store that installed them said that they are VERY bright, so I stuck with the 8" strips. I didn't want to "over bling" as well !!!

sr1sws

Thanks... looks like 5 LEDs in the righthand strip, which would be about right for them to arranged in series w/out a resistor (5 x 2.5v = 12.5v). So 4 blue should be about right for brightness and I can dial them down with a resistor or a current regulator. Should look sick and/or slick!

Thanks for the info!

Steve

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

You're welcome Steve. Be sure to post pictures when you get them installed.

sr1sws

Still waiting on my blue LEDs... in the mean time, I tapped the center console light circuit and pulled wires for the left and right front foot wells as well as for the top center console (arm rest). I did this while swapping out my heater switch lights for LEDs.

More once I get my LEDs.

Steve

Kid Fresh

Took my 07 TLS to dealer for my last oil change, when I got home, the exterior lights and beep weren't working when I enabled the alarm. Also noticed my navigation and radio lighting were very dim; I could hardly see the buttons.

So I took it back, they corrected the alarm issue, but didn't fix the interior lighting. The Service Order states:

"found fuse blown under hood fuse box, replaced fuse, blew again, installed breaker into fuse slot, believe tampering with fuse may have corrected problem".

Nav lighting & radio are still very dim, red footwells are out, but I still have the lighting in the center ceiling (above rear view mirror).

I bought the car used (CPO), and the Service writer is saying the fuse box probably isn't covered. Replacing the fuse box could run $450-$500.

I'm taking in next Thursday for another oil change, they are going check again.

Could it be specific fuses that are affecting the interior Nav/Radio Lighting, or the box itself?

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

I love the "Remove Before Flight" tag SB!

tl_from_hell

Steve u make me want to change to red door lights in my s haha now i cant choose red or white hmmm....

vietxquangstah

iTrader: (7)

You wouldn't have had this problem if you would just do simple maintenance like oil changes yourself.

How much do they charge you for oil changes, like at least $200? I have a friend who is a girl who takes her 08 TL in for oil changes and $200 is about the MINIMUM they charge her (they probably change cabin and other check ups).

Oil only costs $30-$40. Filter only costs $10.

That's a total of $50. The rest you do yourself. Saving yourself well over $100 nearly $200 already.

And if you are using a true synthetic, there is no need to take the car in at 5,000-5,500 miles. You can run the car 8,000-10,000 miles on a true synthetic before changing for new oil. If you are following the MID and taking your car in to get serviced every time the MID comes up that means you are spending at least $200 every ~5,000 miles.

Now that's getting raped by the stealership