4G TL (2009-2014)
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Make under dash lights brighter

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Old 10-13-2010, 10:32 AM
  #41  
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I'm thinking about doing the same. I don't understand why acura made it so faint.

I also noticed that it works different in certain cars. For example, in the Lexus IS, it is pretty bright, and on all the time.

However, in audis, it turns on when you're entering the car, then turns off when you start it. Strange

Either way, I'll try it later and order extra parts just incase i want it back to normal. Thanks!

btw, i didn't notice the TL had this until there was a day i was wearing white shoes.. Otherwise, you'd need to look pretty hard to see there's even light there.
Old 10-13-2010, 10:32 AM
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Hmm this is a definite must...car looks way better and the mod has a practical use as well.
Old 10-13-2010, 10:33 AM
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Originally Posted by jasonwdp10
I'm thinking about doing the same. I don't understand why acura made it so faint.

I also noticed that it works different in certain cars. For example, in the Lexus IS, it is pretty bright, and on all the time.

However, in audis, it turns on when you're entering the car, then turns off when you start it. Strange

Either way, I'll try it later and order extra parts just incase i want it back to normal. Thanks!
dont waist your money ordering the extra parts, your not going to want to go back....after the mod, the light is about the same as it was on my type s...the 4g tl is just way to dim, you dont even notice there is light down there...people would get in my type s all the time and notice the light on the floor and would say hey, thats pretty cool...
Old 10-13-2010, 11:57 AM
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haha nice!

any before/after pics?
Old 10-13-2010, 12:15 PM
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I've already taken some "exposure" pictures last night of when i did this mod. Unfortunately, when I post the pics up tonight, I think you'll all think the light is brighter than it actually is, but it's the camera exaggerating it. But I completely cut out all of the plastic and it looks fantastic without being too bright to distract you or make reflections in the windows at night.
Old 10-13-2010, 12:20 PM
  #46  
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ok, Im convinced. I will be doing this this evening. Just did my fog light mod and bored already.
Old 10-13-2010, 02:28 PM
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Originally Posted by prepreludesh
I've already taken some "exposure" pictures last night of when i did this mod. Unfortunately, when I post the pics up tonight, I think you'll all think the light is brighter than it actually is, but it's the camera exaggerating it. But I completely cut out all of the plastic and it looks fantastic without being too bright to distract you or make reflections in the windows at night.
agreed, its not too bright...just bright enough to light up the TL on the floor mat....
Old 10-13-2010, 02:52 PM
  #48  
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i just took one right now, it's midday but i'm the garage and i tweeked the contrast to try to best reproduce how it looks.

i've had it for a few days now and i don't think it's distracting at all. but.. I bet like me anyone here would be distracting themselves with it anyway

<a href="http://s197.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/tling6990/?action=view&current=L0134481.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/tling6990/L0134481.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Old 10-13-2010, 03:07 PM
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sorry wrong code

try to ignore the highlights, compare the brightness of the dash lights to the under-lights

Old 10-13-2010, 03:44 PM
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Looks like i'll be doing that soon.

btw, are there lights under the front seats for the passenger footwells? I never checked :X
Old 10-13-2010, 06:18 PM
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Originally Posted by jasonwdp10
Looks like i'll be doing that soon.

btw, are there lights under the front seats for the passenger footwells? I never checked :X
the lights you see in the pics are located under the dash...
Old 10-13-2010, 07:20 PM
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Originally Posted by vinnier6
the lights you see in the pics are located under the dash...
The rear passengers............
Old 10-13-2010, 08:20 PM
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Here are my pictures from doing the mod. Just keep in mind that overall, these make it look lighter than it actually was, but you can at least see the light spread.

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Old 10-13-2010, 08:20 PM
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Originally Posted by jasonwdp10
The rear passengers............
no rear passenger footwell lights....
Old 10-13-2010, 09:04 PM
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Originally Posted by vinnier6
no rear passenger footwell lights....
thx for answering my original question.......................................... ..
Old 10-13-2010, 10:00 PM
  #56  
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Just did the mod, took all of 10 min to do. I think the car should have come this way.
Old 10-13-2010, 11:05 PM
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Did you change the light bulbs or just drill the plastic things bigger?

Originally Posted by dwest1023
Just did the mod, took all of 10 minutes to do. I think the car should have come this way.
.

Last edited by Steven Bell; 10-14-2010 at 11:21 AM.
Old 10-13-2010, 11:37 PM
  #58  
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Just drill the plastic covers. Did it in 5 mins. I was surprised how easy it was to remove the panels specially the driver's side. Don't really need a before and after shot. I tried to take a before shot but there was nothing to take a picture of unless you look under and take a picture of the LED itself.

Easiest mod and actually quite a rewarding one. Thanks again!
Old 10-14-2010, 08:03 AM
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Originally Posted by prepreludesh
Here are my pictures from doing the mod. Just keep in mind that overall, these make it look lighter than it actually was, but you can at least see the light spread.










holy brightness batman...is your dash and nav screen really that bright, or is it just the camera over exposing it....

also, you might consider having the service dept looking at your drivers seat...that bolster looks pretty bad, and they can and will replace it under warranty...
Old 10-14-2010, 11:19 AM
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Guys, it seems like Acura has a habit of making the front underdash lighting too faint. The lighting is a good idea and a nice effect, but not executed too well. I took my Type S to a local stereo install shop and had them install 10 light LED's in both the front and rear footwell areas. The lighting comes on when the headlights come on (just like the OEM lights). Wow, what an improvement and a great look mod!
Old 10-14-2010, 02:22 PM
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yea steven, but this mod is free, and takes less then 10 minutes and provides plenty of light...
Old 10-14-2010, 07:24 PM
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Originally Posted by vinnier6
holy brightness batman...is your dash and nav screen really that bright, or is it just the camera over exposing it....

also, you might consider having the service dept looking at your drivers seat...that bolster looks pretty bad, and they can and will replace it under warranty...


Like I said, my camera really overexposed it a lot. The nav screen I had has the blue background for the map, but you can't even tell in the picture cuz it took in all of the light!

Anyway, you mentioned my seat bolster not being right and could be covered under warranty? I've never heard of that before, but am intrigued. Care to send me a PM if you have more info?
Old 10-14-2010, 08:25 PM
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Originally Posted by prepreludesh
Like I said, my camera really overexposed it a lot. The nav screen I had has the blue background for the map, but you can't even tell in the picture cuz it took in all of the light!

Anyway, you mentioned my seat bolster not being right and could be covered under warranty? I've never heard of that before, but am intrigued. Care to send me a PM if you have more info?
there was a bunch of folks in the 3g forum that had the seats redone under warranty that were showing like yours does...i would think the next time your have your car in for service you show it to them and let them know you are not pleased with that...they should recover it under warranty...
Old 08-17-2011, 11:47 PM
  #64  
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I traded in my TL for a ZDX and this mod works great on the ZDX too.
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Old 08-18-2011, 12:18 PM
  #65  
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I've been looking for this thread. Couldn't find it and now it pops back up. Btw if I were to change out the bulb what bulb type are they?
Old 08-18-2011, 01:04 PM
  #66  
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Some people drilled them and some people mentioned buying the parts if you want to go back to original.
When I did mine all I did was took the entire cover of and painters taped the lights back in their place and put the covers in the glove compartment.
Don't think I'll put them back on, but it' easy in any case.
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Old 08-18-2011, 01:05 PM
  #67  
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can anyone measure how big the holes you guys are drilling in MM?
Old 08-18-2011, 03:06 PM
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Love it or hate it. I had these on my 06 TL, 08 RL and now on my 12 TL
These are blue LED strip. Not too bright or too dim. Just soft blue not too harsh that may cause any distraction

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Old 08-18-2011, 03:41 PM
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nice and bright!
Old 08-18-2011, 03:42 PM
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Originally Posted by eazy
I've been looking for this thread. Couldn't find it and now it pops back up. Btw if I were to change out the bulb what bulb type are they?

not really sure you can change the bulb..

can anyone chime on this
Old 08-18-2011, 03:47 PM
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^ I think you have to resolder the panel if you want to change the LED light. I think it's LED but can't confirm.....
Old 08-18-2011, 04:17 PM
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Loooks like an LED but it looks like all onwe unit so it didn't appear as if the bulb could be changed?
Old 08-18-2011, 05:19 PM
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Originally Posted by potmilkz
not really sure you can change the bulb..

can anyone chime on this
Originally Posted by KB1Spec
^ I think you have to resolder the panel if you want to change the LED light. I think it's LED but can't confirm.....
Originally Posted by jspagna1
Loooks like an LED but it looks like all onwe unit so it didn't appear as if the bulb could be changed?
Yea I just took a peek today. I was thinking about changing it to red. Probably can be done but I don't want to go through the hassle of getting a solder for red foot lights. I'm just gonna stick to drilling out the piece to make it more visible
Old 01-20-2012, 04:34 PM
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i'm glad everyone is enjoying the mod. You can do it on ZDX as well. and prob all acuras with the stock oem light under the dash.
Old 01-20-2012, 05:05 PM
  #75  
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SWEET!!! i was gonna get under there when it gets warmer out to see what bulb it uses to see if i could replace it.. guess i just saved myself some money! haha

thanks op!!!
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Old 01-21-2012, 02:58 AM
  #76  
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i remenber on my 2005 and 2007 tl, i could see them. but on my new 2012 tl, i was wondering if this feature was always here, because i was not able to seeit. thank you, i m going to look at it
Old 01-21-2012, 02:21 PM
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So i did it on the driver side, great , thank you to OP

I would like to do it on the passenger side, but can't find how to take off the panel. I'm a chemist not a mecanic guy. So if someone could give me any hint or post some pictures thank you
Old 01-21-2012, 06:16 PM
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Originally Posted by sebounet2005
So i did it on the driver side, great , thank you to OP

I would like to do it on the passenger side, but can't find how to take off the panel. I'm a chemist not a mecanic guy. So if someone could give me any hint or post some pictures thank you
Just get under there and you'll see. The are like three points where you need to pull on. It's not much harder than the driver side. Don't be scared to tug on yje panel a little harder. It will give way.
Old 01-21-2012, 09:16 PM
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thank you, i have already been under. but when you say three points are they on the engine side or just under the hinge of the glove box. i mean is it like on the driver side the front could go down and the back of this panel is fastened at the back, not really fastened but there is like a pin at the back.
Old 01-21-2012, 09:37 PM
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ok on one picture i understood how is it. do you need to insert a screwdriver or just pulling with my hands ?

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