I have a 2004 TL w/ Navigation. Does anyone have info on generic replacements for the little grain of wheat bulbs in the steering wheel control buttons (cruise, phone, etc.). Someone posted somewhere that they are L-7219 size. I found this listing that looks like the right one, but I just want to double-check.

http://www.newark.com/53M5340/optoel...echnology-7219

# Supply Voltage:12VDC
# Lamp Base Type:Wire Leads
# Power Rating:720mW
# Bulb Size:T-1
# Length:6mm
# Luminous Intensity (MSCP):0.15
# Current Rating:0.06A
# Average Rated Bulb Life:10000h
# Bulb Length (MOL):0.25"

You can also check that website by Part No. 53M5340. The original Acura replacements cost about $4.50 each, and on this website a pack of 10 costs about $5.50. I figure while I've got the steering wheel off I'll replace all the bulbs. I realize I probably have to install each one of these bulbs in the tiny plastic base that comes in the original, but I don't mind. I'm sure these bulbs are a much higher quality.

 

I am curious about this as well. Is it true that you have to remove the steering wheel to replace these bulbs? Are these the same bulbs as in the seat heater controls, window controls, VSA etc?

-Kris

 

One of the stickies that the mods have up explains what you need to do to replace the bulbs. You do have to remove the airbag, but not the whole steering wheel. Apparently it's just removing a few screws from the behind the wheel. I do believe it's the same bulbs for all the buttons.

 

Is there a way to change the color emitted from the steering wheel controls? I HATE that ugly green. I would like blue, purple, or even white. I was thinking that LEDs could do a great job if it is feasible to get them in there.

 

Part numbers are diff for various bulbs in the steering wheel. Dont know why but the are.

 

If anyone knows what the different sizes are for the bulbs on the steering wheel, please post them, even if it's months after the original post.

 

You are going to need the 3mm neowedge bulbs. I so far have used them in my seat heater switches and the overhead sunroof, and dome light control switch. I have yet to do it to the steering wheel since I had difficulty trying to get the airbag off. But these will work in there as well. I have hyper white leds. They look pretty damn good too.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/instrument.html

 

I need to point out one thing however. For whatever reason Acura decided to use different spec bulbs for various parts of the car's controls and switches. Not all bulbs are universal as you probably noticed by the part numbers. Some bulbs are listed as operating off 14v and the current varies from 40mA to 60mA. This meaning the internal resistance of these bulbs are different. Some bulbs are not listed with specs they just say Bulb A and Bulb B. I really hate that they do this and charge $3.54 they know you need their bulb if you don't want to chance them blowing out. But honestly their bulbs are crap anyway because I had the ones on the steering wheel go out at 50K miles. So what I am trying to tell you basically is every switch is different and the 3mm neowedge led bulbs will operate differently from switch to switch. I am curious to know right now whether the 09 TL has bulbs or leds? If they are bulbs I may just wait and see what the specs of their bulbs are and do it that way. To many variables right now to switch and have it all work right.

 

im going to the acura dealer today or tomorrow to order some of the bulbs that i need, because all the lights on the steering wheel, the heater switch lights, and the armrest light blew... i checked all my fuses and all of them are good... i wonder if this is one of those "problems" the TL's have

and ill def let everyone know the specs of the bulbs

 

This is definitely an issue a lot of people have. You can't find out the specs. I bought the bulbs from Acura as well at first. But like I said before some bulbs are 14v with a current rating of 40 to 60Ma. The bulbs for the steering wheel are just labeled A or B, no specs.

 

I finally did it. Those were the right ones listed at the beginning of this thread.

Someone above also mentioned these LED-type replacements, which I didn't know about at the time, but they look good. LEDs can be a little tricky, though, in that kind of application, because their light doesn't scatter very well, and each one of those little lamps covers a pretty large area for their size inside the steering wheel.

Also, they are all the same lamp type in the steering wheel, even if the Acura part numbers show different types. I replaced all the bulbs about three months ago with the above wheat grain replacements, and they have been working fine. I had to remove the airbag, which is a bit tricky without removing the steering wheel, but it can be done. You'll need some short slender Philips screwdrivers and maybe a Vise Grip to accomplish that, because you need to access some screws from the back of the steering wheel.

 

LED bulbs in Steering Wheel here:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/g-100-diy-led-interior-conversion-part-iii-steering-wheel-746972/
LEDs throughout the car in the 3G Garage DIY #F-165
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/3g-tl-garage-faq-3g-tl-newbies-553554/

These threads will also give you a good idea of what's involved in getting to these components, too.

 

the photos are all not working now in the links/

 

Yay, Photobucket!!