Trunk Light LED
#1
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Thread Starter
Trunk Light LED
Has anyone done an upgrade to the factory trunk light? The factory light is really dim and I was wondering if there is an LED lamp available that is factory fit like the puddle light installations?
#2
Be a better driver
iTrader: (1)
Try looking up the bulb type for your trunk light on Sylvania.com, then buy the corresponding LED bulb from SuperbrightLEDs, VLEDS, etc. Depending on the bulb orientation in the trunk fixture you'll want more radial firing LED's, or forward firing, or a good mix of both.
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flybyglass (11-30-2015),
justnspace (11-30-2015)
#3
Standard 168/194 wedge bulb.. You can fit a 68-smd bulb in there. That means 68 individual LED's on the bulb.
Here is what you need:
Here is what you need:
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flybyglass (11-30-2015)
#4
Three Wheelin'
Amazon.com: JDM ASTAR Extremely Bright Error Free PX Chipsets 194 168 2825 W5W T10 LED Bulbs,Xenon White: Automotive
I ordered these ones and they're pretty dang bright. Easily gives 3x the amount of light that useless stock halogen bulb gave.
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#5
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Thread Starter
Great information. Any issues with the TLX with heat or any risk of computer codes appearing like some the the German cars? Also any issues with strobing. Some LED installs report these problems but haven't seen any with Acura so far.
Last edited by flybyglass; 11-30-2015 at 05:32 PM.
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flybyglass (11-30-2015)
#7
Advanced
Thread Starter
Also, another question to those that have done the install. It appears the trunk liner around the light is flexible. I noticed 2 indentations in the metal framework - one on each side of the light. It looks like one just uses a small flat blade (or the tool provided with the LED puddle lights) to pop the assembly out. I saw on another thread the the wiring comes from the driver side and to pry down (gently of course) from the passenger side of the lense. Does this sound correct?
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#8
Three Wheelin'
A small flat blade will do. Just push to left (driver) from the right side(passenger) of the housing and then push down, it should come out real easy. The trunk liner is very flexible and really shouldn't be in the way at all.
And yes the wiring comes from the driver's side.
And yes the wiring comes from the driver's side.
Last edited by dezymond; 11-30-2015 at 09:21 PM.
#9
Three Wheelin'
Here's a picture of the bulb I posted.
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#10
Advanced
Thread Starter
I decide to order the JDM AStars above. You did the same thing I did and added the tray. The factory light is so dim you can't see what is in the trunk.
#11
Three Wheelin'
But yeah the LED made a huge difference in what I can see in my trunk at night.
#12
I am considering getting the LED trunk lights. Since the lights from Amazon are in two packs and four packs and there is only one light in the trunk, are there any other locations in my TLX that I can use these type lights? Thanks!
#13
I probably have like 30 extra led bulbs in total at my house, lol.
#14
Three Wheelin'
1. It was expensive, I think it was like $16-$18 for that led board.
2. Wanted a backup bulb in case
And honestly I don't use my trunk at night as often anymore. I just wanted a brighter light for those times I do happen to use it. A pair of bulbs for $12 on Amazon and they're as good as they are, that's a good deal imo.
I believe the same bulb in the trunk can be used on the courtesy lights on the front doors, but I could be wrong. But even then you'd need a total of 3 so you're still better off getting two pairs.
#15
Advanced
Thread Starter
Finally got the JDM AStars mention above. Easy install. Needed to spread the curved bulb holder very slightly apart to accommodate the LED bulb. So much better lighting now.
#17
A small flat blade will do. Just push to left (driver) from the right side(passenger) of the housing and then push down, it should come out real easy. The trunk liner is very flexible and really shouldn't be in the way at all.
And yes the wiring comes from the driver's side.
And yes the wiring comes from the driver's side.
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acford (03-01-2016)
#18
Advanced
I can't get the stupid cover off. I've tried prying from the passenger (right side). I pushed in and pried down. See the pic below. I also tried a putty knife.
Last edited by acford; 03-03-2016 at 12:27 PM.
#19
#20
Advanced
LOL. If I pull down any harder, I'm going to break it. I'm 6'0" and 215 lbs and pretty strong. I'm usually pretty handy with this stuff but this puppy doesn't want to come off. I don't get it. I even tried with 2 flat head screw drivers and had one prying from the passenger side and the other from the front (facing outside).
#21
LOL. If I pull down any harder, I'm going to break it. I'm 6'0" and 215 lbs and pretty strong. I'm usually pretty handy with this stuff but this puppy doesn't want to come off. I don't get it. I even tried with 2 flat head screw drivers and had one prying from the passenger side and the other from the front (facing outside).
Done and done.
#22
Advanced
I've tried over and over and that thing won't pop down. I used brute force and don't care if I break it at this point. I can get the replacement part for about $11. I just can't get the right leverage. I'm going to talk to my brother in law who's a body mechanic. This is so lame that it won't pop off.
#23
Three Wheelin'
Weird, mine popped out easy without any real force.
#24
Senior Moderator
Looks like you are prying it down from the wrong side. That looks like the side with the fixed prongs instead of the side with the tab that moves.
I used a small flathead screwdriver, and levered it down for the trunk, and under the doors.
I used a small flathead screwdriver, and levered it down for the trunk, and under the doors.
#25
Advanced
Everybody on this forum has said to pry down from the passenger (right) side. The drivers (left) side doesn't budge at all. All I can do is keep trying or take it to Acura. I think you guys have told me as much as you can. Mine is just being stubborn.
#26
Look at the picture. There is a vertical tab to the left of the screwdriver. You need to push that in. I would not use a screw driver. Use something more blunt.
#27
Instructor
I got an Astro Model #4524 Fastener and molding removal tool kit for this kind of stuff. Got it on Amazon, but I suppose there are lots of alternatives. It arrived today.
Just took one of the wide bladed tools, pressed it left and down on the center right side of the light. Came out like butter.
Wow, the new led light makes "night and day" difference in seeing what is in the trunk!
Just took one of the wide bladed tools, pressed it left and down on the center right side of the light. Came out like butter.
Wow, the new led light makes "night and day" difference in seeing what is in the trunk!
#28
Advanced
I got an Astro Model #4524 Fastener and molding removal tool kit for this kind of stuff. Got it on Amazon, but I suppose there are lots of alternatives. It arrived today.
Just took one of the wide bladed tools, pressed it left and down on the center right side of the light. Came out like butter.
Wow, the new led light makes "night and day" difference in seeing what is in the trunk!
Just took one of the wide bladed tools, pressed it left and down on the center right side of the light. Came out like butter.
Wow, the new led light makes "night and day" difference in seeing what is in the trunk!
I will try again today with a more blunt tool. Although, I tried with a butter knife which looks similar to what you used from the kit. I think I'm mainly annoyed because I can do electrical work along with many other things around the house that you would normally hire a contractor for. And then I can't pry off a simple light cover?? Oxymoron
#29
Although it feels like its going to break, it probably won't. I was concerned I was going to break mine, figured if I did it would be easy to put the LED in the new one and snap it back in. BTW I used this:
#30
Registered TL Owner
Okay, I just struggled with this for about 10 min until I removed the liner so I could see the actual light housing.
acford, you want to take your tool and push towards the left on the center of the passenger's side of the housing. I think the way some of the previous posts were worded it sounded like they were saying to pry on the driver's side, which is why I was getting nowhere with it too.
acford, you want to take your tool and push towards the left on the center of the passenger's side of the housing. I think the way some of the previous posts were worded it sounded like they were saying to pry on the driver's side, which is why I was getting nowhere with it too.
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acford (03-12-2016)
#32
Advanced
Thanks for the photo. That's exactly how I envisioned it. Mine is just being stubborn. I ended up trying a chisel and broke off one of the tabs. It still won't come down. I pushed in from the passenger side towards the drivers side and then down. I think one of the tabs is stuck on the housing/frame.
#34
Summer is Coming
I ordered the JDM ASTAR from Amazon and swapped out the old bulb with the LEDs with great results. Only took a few minutes. Well worth the minimal cost and minimal time. I took some pics for the next guy.
LEDs on both sides. But the fixture in the trunk does not have a reflective backing.
Three on the end. Bonus,
With the original bulb
Put your small blade screw driver here on the passenger side. It will come out with minimal force.
Original bulb
The new bulb. Damn Daniel (lol). Hard to look at actually.
Very nice.
Original bulb and the JDM Astar
LEDs on both sides. But the fixture in the trunk does not have a reflective backing.
Three on the end. Bonus,
With the original bulb
Put your small blade screw driver here on the passenger side. It will come out with minimal force.
Original bulb
The new bulb. Damn Daniel (lol). Hard to look at actually.
Very nice.
Original bulb and the JDM Astar
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acford (03-22-2016)
#36
Advanced
FINALLY! I had my brother in law look at my trunk light today who has been a body mechanic his entire working career (25 years). He had the light cover off in 2 minutes! It turns out that mine was backwards compared to everyone else on here. My tab was on the DRIVER'S side and the wires were on the passenger side.
He was able to figure it out quickly by first pulling up the rubber gasket (seals the trunk lid when closed) and then popped down the trunk liner by pushing down which popped out the 2 plastic pins just in front of the trunk light. See my pics below...
Pull up rubber gasket
Pull down ceiling liner
Locking tab on the drivers side
He was able to figure it out quickly by first pulling up the rubber gasket (seals the trunk lid when closed) and then popped down the trunk liner by pushing down which popped out the 2 plastic pins just in front of the trunk light. See my pics below...
Pull up rubber gasket
Pull down ceiling liner
Locking tab on the drivers side
#37
Three Wheelin'
Is your TLX right hand drive? :P
Glad you got it figured out
Glad you got it figured out
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5 Acuras (03-28-2016)
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