ISOSUNRISE6

Got in my Car the other night and noticed driver heated seat was not illuminated. The orange lights worked just not the blue. Looks cheap at night and I'm aggravated with it.. I have one of the Best Warranties ( so they say ) and don't see why it wouldn't be covered. I made an appointment for tomorrow morning I'm meeting with a new service guy since the one i use to deal with quit. Hopefully he's not a D*ck and will do it.

Saw the DIYS and it looks like a pain to rip the car apart for a light bulb..


Also was going to mention to him about the fact that when Im driving and have radio on & the switch on rear defroster AM/FM channels go fuzzy.

Im sure the antenna is in the back window however how would i know that ? (tinted back window would probably void that) Seriously how would i know the back window is an antenna.......................................

carbngrytl

I think the anntena is on the roof?

ISOSUNRISE6

I think the XM antenna is on the roof.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

That's the XM antenna.

To replace the heated seat light bulb is EASY!

1. Remove silver trim garnishes on both sides.
2. Remove a few screws on the center console.
3. Push back center console.
4. Now you have access to replace the bulbs.

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

I have the same problem with my passenger side heated seat switch. I'll get around to fixing it one day.

ISOSUNRISE6

the How to's show soldering and such.. i have no time or patience for that. Do you guys think my warranty would cover that, has anyone actually gone to dealer?

Also my driver mirror is brown inside for some reason anyone know what thats about?

ohsixMTee

iTrader: (2)

I'm pretty sure soldering is only required if you're switching to certain LED's. New OEM bulbs are just a direct swap.

The brown mirror I have read is from the heat being on while there is no ice on the glass.

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

^^^^

Our heated mirrors sucks ass.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Correct!

Only way to fix it is to buy replacement glass or use multivex mirrors over it.

I think my mirrors were the worst I've ever come across on this site.



Can't believe I drove with them for a year !

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

^^^^

Damn....that sucks.

vietxquangstah

iTrader: (7)

holy shit guitarplayer. you weren't lying when you said the worse on the site.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Haha it's funny when I see threads "I have a little brown mark on the bottom of my mirror".

Mine took up almost half the damn mirror LOL

Came this way when I bought the car.
I've never turned on the heated mirrors before.
Don't plan to especially with my new ones.

avs007

My dealer was a huge d*ck. They told me that "bulbs" were not covered under either the factory warranty, or the Acura Care extended warranty I got, and claimed that the bulb in the switch was bad as the switch still worked to turn the heaters on/off, and then claimed me something ridiculous to fix it.

I knew the bulb wasn't bad, because if you tapped the switch, the light would come on... (Mine the orange bulb intermittantly worked) So I pulled the schematic from the service manual, and showed the service department, and showed them that the schematic shows the switch was a double position double throw switch, (basically it was two switches in one. One for the heater, and one for the bulb),and that one of the poles controlled the relay for the heated seat, and the other pole was for the bulb. Since tapping on the switch makes the light come on, the switch for the bulb was intermitant/faulty. I even pointed out the warranty documentation that showed that switches were covered, and that their rationale that the switch was ok, because the heaters still worked was faulty, becuase the schematic shows the switch was double pole, meaning that the part of the switch controlling the heater was ok, but the part controlling the light was faulty. The service department still refused to fix it under warranty.

TLDude876

iTrader: (7)

+1 and plug n play LED's are now available. It's a pretty simple fix. The dealer maybe hesitant to fix this as others have stated plus I'd rather DIY than take it to them to potentially damage something else.

brian6speed

iTrader: (5)

I would change the bulb myself. I don't trust the dealer to do anything. They will most likely damage parts and break clips without telling you. Then you will wonder why you have new rattles.

As for the brown mirror, I would not just blame it on being heated. The 2nd gen cl/tl has heated mirrors and never seen this happen on older acuras. It is very common on audis tho. I would think it is just a quality issue where they are cutting corners now like the dash that cracks in the 3rd gen. You won't find any 2nd gen or older acuras with cracking dashes either.

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

my driver's side seat heater switch light was fixed by my dealer free of charge (i was there getting a few other things done, oil change etc). i just asked them to take a look at it, they swapped the bulb. mine was intermittent when the light would turn on. the seat heater worked fine. i think i was just outside my warranty period too (like 9 mos out of my original b to b). there are still some decent dealers out there that will take care of you. granted i have service history with them which usually helps.

OP- not sure about the fuzzy FM/AM stations with the rear defroster turned on. do you have tint in your car? from what i gather, in your post is that you don't have tint?? i don't listen to the radio in my car...only XM or CDs.

nj2pa2nc

Yes-there are good dealers-too bad the bad ones ruin it for them. I had problems with the glove box recently-the lock jammed. The dealer replaced the glove box free. It is now so much more easy to open. They also replaced the heater switch light. I did not even request it-the tech noticed it was out. Love my dealer.

Blooze

My experience with interior lighting is that it is not covered under warranties unless it is part of the instrument lighting, as that may be a safety issue. The "D" indicator went out in my wife's CR-V (on the dash) and Honda originally was not going to cover it. I showed them that instrumentation lighting was covered and they did the work without further hassle (can only imagine what it took/cost to do that little light, but it was annoying).

That being said, I think it is up to the dealer and your relationship with them. Some dealers may assist, but I don't think it's an issue that would be covered under an extended warranty. Good luck!

dwb993

iTrader: (13)

^^This.
Most lighting is considered a "wear" item and is not covered under warranty.
With that said, having a good relationship with a dealer you trust can take you a long way. If you're new to Acura, or your particular dealer, a goodwill purchase of a couple pizzas at lunch time will do a lot to establish that new relationship on a positive note.

ISOSUNRISE6

thanks for all the feedback, Well i found out DCH Acura In Verona NJ SUCKS. I try dealing with one service guy he quit... New guy i spoke to a few months ago also is no where to be found. I got an 80 year old man helping me claiming they don't take Wheelz Warrenty blah blah then says oh wait we do never mind... I almost flipped his desk over. Then starts telling me its 177 to look over everything and they deff won't cover it I go then why would i waste my time here. walked out got some food and now I'm home on AZ.

OK So changing the light bulb for that switch is easy? no soldering? Anyone know the bulb size or where i can get one? also A how to on how to get the switch out?

I was thinking getting a new switch but if its easier to just change a plug and play bulb I'm totally down to do that. all feedback is appreciate.

PS that mirror is not the worse i have seen, I saw a TL wit maybe an inch of mirror left to it i took a pic I'm going to look around for it. this car disappoints me sometimes =[

ISOSUNRISE6

Just Called a different Acura and they have the part, nicer person answering the phone, I want to range dealerships I'm over the one i go to the rudeness and not knowing what there talking about is really getting to me.

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

Same. My driver's side switch still illuminates but the passenger one is burnt out. I've been planning to replace the bulb.. for like 2 years now

Mine still work fine



Oh and btw, a few years ago when my car was still under warranty, I noticed that one of the blue LED lights in the top console was burnt out so I took it to the dealer to get it replaced. They said something like they had to replace the whole circuit board thing under there, but to summarize, they DID replace it free of charge. I was fine with that, I just had to re-program my homelink.

ISOSUNRISE6

I can't find a DIY on actually changing the stock bulb anyone wanna help out?

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

How easy is it for a noob? Can you show us how to remove the silver garnishes and where the screws are? And how long did it take?

TLDude876

iTrader: (7)

^ just pry the edge of the garnish starting from the end closest to the arm rest. Once the garnish is off you will see the screws that need to be removed

ebelp

Just FYI...I took my TL to the Acura dealer to replace this exact same bulb. They replaced it, under warranty, no questions asked. Sucks that your dealer is being such a douche about it.

ISOSUNRISE6

just tried taking silver trim around radio off FAIL! can't get it off near the climate control its stuck if i pull anymore i feel like every things going to break! helppppppppp!

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

That was my plan too.

As for the heated mirror....it works, but not as well as the last car I had.

dwb993

iTrader: (13)

It gets pretty tight up there. Try pulling it off to the side more than towards you. It will come off. Just try not to twist it.
There was a series of videos for removing all of these pieces by LoveMyTLS (I think).

vmodi89

I have the same bulb out on my drivers side.. it bugs me to see only one of my heater switches lit up. I think Ill do it when i start my a/v install in the armrest..please let us know if its easy

TLDude876

iTrader: (7)

I know what you mean, pull and twist slightly at the same time

ISOSUNRISE6

Huge Success!

So basically what I did was take a butter like (like stated in other threads) and wrapped a cloth around it and started from arm rest and worked my way up lightly prying up.

When I got as far as Volume Knob and Right side (selector knob) I STOPPED
...Heard cracking-noise

Moved both seats back as far as they go and opened center console. and removed the rubber bottom/and 2 screws under it. put them in cup holder

From there I was able to see maybe 8-10 screws, this was without really moving the Trim pieces as they were held on by a thread

Put all the screws aside and was able to (without ANY real force) slide the center console back

At this point i was able to see all crumbs, stains, sticky shit etc below(great time to clean, of course i didn't because i was all stressed out about breaking something )

Now I see Both heated seat switches and try taking them out however they feel held in by something, took a short phillips head screw driver and removed 2 gold screws, LOST 1! but grabbed hold of the other, and switch came right out again with no force.

Clearly you can see the wiring harness attached and was about to remove that again NO force necessary and VIOLA i had the switch in my hand..

CAREFULLY pulled off the white sticker and set that aside and had full access to my screw-looking blue bulb.

lightly turned it counter clockwise, and put the new one in.

This whole process took less then 30 minutes and probably would have went faster if I wasn't a nervous wreck.

Got the Part at Open Road Acura in Wayne NJ (35852-SEP-A02) for $6.42 with tax..

Not bad.

Put everything back even the switch with the missing screw that i hopefully find someday. Putting everything back together was less then 5 minutes.

Next task is cleaning under there, going to search for a thread in the Garage on removing driver seat.

Thanks again for all support everyone

PS on a scale from 1-10, this job was about a 2 For a noob like my self.

TLDude876

iTrader: (7)

Sweet! Sometimes the bulbs dont even blow out, they just need a lil twisting. I wouldnt be surprised if you tried the old bulbs now and they still work.

Blooze

CONGRATULATIONS ISOSUNRISE6!! Feels great to get something done like that doesn't it! Glad you were able to get it done.

Thanks for the follow up with your experience and the details. I am sure that they will come in handy for anyone that has to remove those trim pieces and especially for those that have to do this exact job.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Congrats!

Told ya it was easy LOL

I found a credit card, money, crumbs, dust, etc. from the previous owner(s) when I slid back my center console LOL

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

I had one burnt out probably 4 years ago and I replaced it. (It is not hard, but a bit of a pain.) Later the other one went out and I never got around to fixing it. It always drove me crazy seeing only one lit up, but recently the other one went out and now I'm happy with both of them being out!

ISOSUNRISE6

I would be happy to since the above map light i guess you can call it (the blue one) at night lights everything up down there.

Falcon1772

ok I don't mean to sound like a newb/idiot.... but what blue lights are we talking about here? my heated seat switch only lights up orange..? I bought the car used and thats how its been since I owned it.

Nick Tiger

Good Q Falcon, I always wondered about the BLUE lights on the top console, it's not powerful enough to notice the blue reflection on the shift console, just mildly.

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

OP's car with the overhead blue LED...probably aftermarket and installed by PO which makes it a little brighter. stock blue LED for overhead is there but you really have to look for it. its meant to be an accent not usable light.