3G TL (2004-2008)
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Interior lights to LED

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Old 10-22-2018, 07:54 AM
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Interior lights to LED

Can someone point me to the part number or a source to change the steering wheel radio volume and cruise control lights to LED? I changed those bulbs with factory ones from the dealer about 2 years ago and they already burned out again. I have noticed that the control switches are warm to the touch when the lights are on. I am sure there is quite a bit of heat trapped inside that small space. I am sure that contributes to their short life span. Some LED bulbs should not put out any heat and I would hope last a lot longer.

I also just lost two of the back lights on the A/C panel. I lost the light on the "A/C" and recirculate buttons. I'm sure the rest will not be far behind. I would like to find a LED and just change them all and be done with it.
Are these the same bulb for the steering wheel control lights and the A/C buttons?

I want something "factory looking". I am not looking for anything crazy bright or wild colors. Just something about as bright as the factory ones and about the same color that will not burn out.

Thanks.
2006 TL
Old 10-22-2018, 10:30 AM
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There's this awesome garage thread here:

https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...ewbies-553554/

if you search in there, you'll see that there's a few awesome LED DIY's that will answer all your questions.
Old 10-22-2018, 10:44 AM
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Unfortunately, most LEDs I've seen turned out to be substantially brighter than stock (very noticeable when compared to their radio LEDs which are soldered and not usually replaced).
Your best bet for LEDs is ebay, finding a colour to match the factory one will be very difficult, though.
Old 10-22-2018, 10:46 AM
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Originally Posted by guitarplayer16
Unfortunately, most LEDs I've seen turned out to be substantially brighter than stock (very noticeable when compared to their radio LEDs which are soldered and not usually replaced).
Your best bet for LEDs is ebay, finding a colour to match the factory one will be very difficult, though.
You could always wire in a resistor to dim it
Old 10-22-2018, 02:38 PM
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Modify the cockpit! LED conversion FTW!
Old 10-22-2018, 07:03 PM
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Originally Posted by thoiboi
You could always wire in a resistor to dim it
That's an option, but something tells me that the OP isn't looking to wire a resistor for each LED behind the HVAC buttons and steering wheel buttons.

I think his main problem would be finding an LED that's the same colour as stock.
Old 10-23-2018, 03:58 PM
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You're not going to find any T3 LEDs that look stock in color or brightness, the craze around LEDs retrofits is to make everything stupid bright. If stock appearance is the priority, your best bet would be to take the existing T3 wedge bases and wire up your own LEDs with 1/8W resistors. You may have to play with resistance values depending on how the original bulb was positioned in a given socket. Tedious to say the least.
Old 10-23-2018, 11:03 PM
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The steering controls should be soldered on and not easily replaceable. As for any other button, get quality wedge LEDs or they'll flicker. I let mine go dark, better than LED flicker. Can't be bothered ripping out the dash again.
Old 10-24-2018, 10:57 AM
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Originally Posted by WDPanda
The steering controls should be soldered on and not easily replaceable. As for any other button, get quality wedge LEDs or they'll flicker. I let mine go dark, better than LED flicker. Can't be bothered ripping out the dash again.
2004-2006 TL steering wheels use T3 neo bulbs
Old 10-24-2018, 11:25 AM
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Yeah, this is a tough situation. If you're looking to obtain a stock/OEM look, your best bet is to just replace the burned out bulb with more OEM bulbs. I'm not sure there is a good alternative, unfortunately.

I find it crazy that almost every one of my OEM neo wedge bulbs burned out, yet every single bulb on my wife's 2007 Acura RDX is still working. Crap... maybe I just jinxed it.
Old 11-09-2018, 03:24 PM
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Thanks for all the replies. I agree that there is not a simple solution. I do not want to waste the time replacing them with OEM bulbs, again. They only lasted about 2 years. I will need to pull it apart and get the bulb base out of the socket and I will find something LED that will work. Thanks again.
Old 11-09-2018, 03:31 PM
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Anyone have a pic of the parts blow up for the dash bulbs? I am curious if one bulb illuminates multiple buttons on the dash A/C buttons. My A/C button and recirculate button are both out. They are on top of each other, so could be the same bulb for both. Also is the radio one and the steering wheel the same bulb?
Old 11-09-2018, 05:22 PM
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https://www.acuraoemparts.com/auto-p...er-module-scat



Yes, the bulbs illuminate multiple buttons. The top one in particular lights three buttons and is a higher output bulb than the rest.

The steering wheel buttons are also T3 bulbs (2004-2006). On the radio the bulbs are soldered to the face PCB.
Old 11-09-2018, 05:44 PM
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Great thanks!
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