Interior Lighting

[RickC5]

OP: Our 2015 LC also has those two "holes" in the o/h console, and I expected they would provide some (what Honda called) ambient light for the console area, but no--no light from the holes. I was really disappointed, as I liked the ambient lighting in several Hondas we owned. However, starting in 2010, Honda has eliminated the ambient lighting as part of their cost cutting measures to improve profits. OTOH, our 2015 Highlander Limited DOES have ambient lighting--go figure.

I think I may remove the o/h console just to see what's there. It sure looks like my holes have little lenses in them, but there be nothing behind the lenses. The next step would be to decide if it's worth the effort to try & fit some LEDs behind those lenses. I'm hoping your dealer may shed some light (pun intended) on this topic. That would be refreshing & enlightening (can't help myself).

 

[T4Runner]

I am hopeful that it's just a couple of LEDs and maybe a fuse. I asked my dealer and they didn't know nor were they willing to pop the console apart to investigate. Does anyone with an LX (whom I believe have standard functional ambient lights), know where the fuse is located?

 

[RickC5]

FWIW, I just removed the o/h console & took a look. It comes out amazingly easy & you can disassemble it on your work bench. What I thought could be lenses were just some textured pieces of black plastic, attached to the switch panel assembly. IMHO, there is NO easy way (like plug-and-play) to add LEDs for ambient lighting, but someone with more experience than I have might find a way. There's a large circuit board, but it has no apparent "empty" holes, etc. where LEDs could be easily connected or soldered in. It's gonna take a bit of engineering to make it all work.

I'm also concerned with the brightness of any LEDs that might be chosen for this application. The ambient lights (LEDs) in those Hondas were a dark orange or reddish color and were quite dim--just enough light emitted so that the front seat occupants could see what's on the console. Personally, I wouldn't want anything much brighter than those were.

 

[RickC5]

I am hopeful that it's just a couple of LEDs and maybe a fuse. I asked my dealer and they didn't know nor were they willing to pop the console apart to investigate. Does anyone with an LX (whom I believe have standard functional ambient lights), know where the fuse is located?

Well, This may sound really silly, but I bit the bullet and bought a used 2008 Lexus LX570 O/H console off eBay. I had just sold a bunch of junk on eBay and had quite a bit of spending money in my PayPal account, so what the heck?

Anyway, once I received the LX console, I immediately tried a "plug & play" to no avail. The only thing that worked on the Lexus panel was the courtesy lights. So I then took BOTH consoles completely apart and compared them. Here's what I found:

* The LX has the same size circuit board as the 200, but it is chock-full of surface-mount componentry, unlike the 200's which only has a few components. Not sure what all that is for, but it helps explain why nothing worked.

* The LX switches for the console lights are totally different that the 200. They are surface-mounted, and work smoothly with only slight pressure. The 200's switches are rather cheap plastic, and clunky in comparison. Can't be swapped either, since the LX has five switches and the 200 only four.

* The LX circuit board has many LEDs mounted on it, for back-lighting each and every switch, AND for providing the ambient light. The ambient light parts (clear plastic bits, etc.) will NOT interchange with the 200.

* The LX has separate spot-lights (possibly LEDs) that illuminate when you press the "spot" buttons (for map reading), while the 200 just turns on the courtesy lights.

* Unfortunately, NOTHING electronic/electric interchanges between the consoles. Everything is too different. However, the sunglass compartment WILL interchange easily and then you can have a "mouse-fur" (flocked) sunglass holder. Whoopee!

* I extrapolated that the pin-out on the big harness MUST be totally different too. Plus, the LX console has a second multi-pin harness that plugs in on the opposite side that I have NO idea what it's for.

So, I'm frustrated but I haven't finished noodling about this yet, but using any LX bits in the 200 will require major surgery, and undoubtedly more expense just to add ambient lights and/or spot lights, and then I will have an expensive bit of chopped-up LX plastic that I will have to toss. Not sure how to progress here, but I'm not done yet. I'll start a new thread with photos if I decide to make any changes.

 

[mreedbmwm3]

Well, This may sound really silly, but I bit the bullet and bought a used 2008 Lexus LX570 O/H console off eBay. I had just sold a bunch of junk on eBay and had quite a bit of spending money in my PayPal account, so what the heck?

Anyway, once I received the LX console, I immediately tried a "plug & play" to no avail. The only thing that worked on the Lexus panel was the courtesy lights. So I then took BOTH consoles completely apart and compared them. Here's what I found:

* The LX has the same size circuit board as the 200, but it is chock-full of surface-mount componentry, unlike the 200's which only has a few components. Not sure what all that is for, but it helps explain why nothing worked.

* The LX switches for the console lights are totally different that the 200. They are surface-mounted, and work smoothly with only slight pressure. The 200's switches are rather cheap plastic, and clunky in comparison. Can't be swapped either, since the LX has five switches and the 200 only four.

* The LX circuit board has many LEDs mounted on it, for back-lighting each and every switch, AND for providing the ambient light. The ambient light parts (clear plastic bits, etc.) will NOT interchange with the 200.

* The LX has separate spot-lights (possibly LEDs) that illuminate when you press the "spot" buttons (for map reading), while the 200 just turns on the courtesy lights.

* Unfortunately, NOTHING electronic/electric interchanges between the consoles. Everything is too different. However, the sunglass compartment WILL interchange easily and then you can have a "mouse-fur" (flocked) sunglass holder. Whoopee!

* I extrapolated that the pin-out on the big harness MUST be totally different too. Plus, the LX console has a second multi-pin harness that plugs in on the opposite side that I have NO idea what it's for.

So, I'm frustrated but I haven't finished noodling about this yet, but using any LX bits in the 220 will require major surgery, and undoubtedly more expense just to add ambient light and/or spot lights, and then I will have an expensive bit of chopped-up LX plastic that I will have to toss. Not sure how to progress here, but I'm not done yet. I'll start a new thread with photos if I decide to make any changes.

Wow, what a PIA, thanks for the info.

 

[TexAZ]

@RickC5 thanks for posting up the info and taking the hit buying the LX console.
does the plug for the LX physically mount up to the LC harness? if so, is there any chance that changes can be made with the tech stream software to "trick" the LC into operating the LX options in the console?

just a thought since you've already investing the $$ and time comparing.

 

[RickC5]

@RickC5 thanks for posting up the info and taking the hit buying the LX console.
does the plug for the LX physically mount up to the LC harness? if so, is there any chance that changes can be made with the tech stream software to "trick" the LC into operating the LX options in the console?

just a thought since you've already investing the $$ and time comparing.

Yeah, the 200 harness plugs right into the LX console, but as I mentioned, the LX console has a 2nd, smaller harness the 200 doesn't have, and I have NO idea how much functionality depends on that 2nd harness being connected. Frankly, I was surprised & amazed at the differences between the electronics in the consoles. the plastic pieces are identical & even have the same part numbers, but the circuit board? Wow! Totally different. There's also the differences between 2008 "Lexus Link" and 2015 "Toyota Connect" that I don't know. The 200's female voice immediately told me that: "Toyota Connect is not working. Contact your dealer." when I plugged in the Lexus console. Whoops! She sounded pissed!

Anyway, if I decide to go forward, I'll likely butcher up both consoles just to get the ambient light pieces (minus the LEDs which I will need to figure out) and the spot lights which I think are quite clever & nice (need to swap diffusers too to do this). And of course, I'll swap the sunglasses holder--love that Lexus mouse fur!

I did manage to buy that LX console at a much reduced price, as compared to some other LX consoles on eBay that appeared identical. I spent about $100 shipped, compared to $250-350 that others were priced at. I can't imagine what Lexus would want for that same console--maybe $1000 or even more? It really is FULL of electronics. I'll take comparison photos next time....

BTW- I don't have the tech stream software, as I don't have a laptop.

 

[linuxgod]

Well, This may sound really silly, but I bit the bullet and bought a used 2008 Lexus LX570 O/H console off eBay. I had just sold a bunch of junk on eBay and had quite a bit of spending money in my PayPal account, so what the heck?

While you're dismantling both your LC and your LX, can you see how the wiring for the power trunk works in the LX and let me know if you think it would be possible to modify the LC to use the power tailgate motor/switches? My 5'2" wife would be thrilled if that was possible

 

[Markuson]

While you're dismantling both your LC and your LX, can you see how the wiring for the power trunk works in the LX and let me know if you think it would be possible to modify the LC to use the power tailgate motor/switches? My 5'2" wife would be thrilled if that was possible

Or save a couple grand and just attach a strap/handle to the upper tail section. No more jumping needed by your little wifey (mine is about 5'2" also).

 

[RickC5]

While you're dismantling both your LC and your LX, can you see how the wiring for the power trunk works in the LX and let me know if you think it would be possible to modify the LC to use the power tailgate motor/switches? My 5'2" wife would be thrilled if that was possible

Uh, all I'm working on (playing with) are Overhead Consoles, not the entire trucks. We own a 2015 LC200, but only the Overhead Console from the Lexus LX570, which does not contain a button to open/close the rear hatch. Sorry 'bout that.

Yes, I agree that a strap would work fine for your wife. Lots of minivans have straps on the rear doors, so I bet junkyards are full of them--or try eBay.

 

[linuxgod]

Uh, all I'm working on (playing with) are Overhead Consoles, not the entire trucks. We own a 2015 LC200, but only the Overhead Console from the Lexus LX570, which does not contain a button to open/close the rear hatch. Sorry 'bout that.

Yes, I agree that a strap would work fine for your wife. Lots of minivans have straps on the rear doors, so I bet junkyards are full of them--or try eBay.

Hah, sorry I read "we bough a used 2008 LX" and mentally ignored the "O/H console" part.

Nevermind - unless you decide to randomly buy an LX tailgate, in which case please let me know