Solution for Miserable Overhead Lighting
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: VA
Solution for Miserable Overhead Lighting
Folks,
I've really had it with the overhead light arrangement on the 2007-2009 ES350's. I don't understand how a $40k car has less practical interior lighting than my 1984 Ford Tempo. After driving a 2010 loaner, I thought I had a pretty slick solution: I proceeded to buy a used 2010 overhead Console.
The wiring harness and plug is IDENTICAL and the console size is exact. But after plugging it in, only one thing works (the garage door opener LED.) The overhead lights do not work and the moonroof switches don't function. So I reinstalled my wholly inadequate 2007 console and it works as before. But after a few more months night driving, spilling drinks and dropping change at the toll booth, I have reached my wits' end.
Is there any way I can wire this thing up? Wouldn't it be great if there was some $13 Metra harness converter or whatnot? Below are several pics, one of the mounted 2007 Console and three of the 2010 Console. The back and sides are exactly the same and the plug is identical, but obviously all the wires in the plug are in the "wrong" place......
If this works, this could be a simple upgrade for your pre-2010 cars and I'd be happy to post my install pics. Many thanks.
Andrew
I've really had it with the overhead light arrangement on the 2007-2009 ES350's. I don't understand how a $40k car has less practical interior lighting than my 1984 Ford Tempo. After driving a 2010 loaner, I thought I had a pretty slick solution: I proceeded to buy a used 2010 overhead Console.
The wiring harness and plug is IDENTICAL and the console size is exact. But after plugging it in, only one thing works (the garage door opener LED.) The overhead lights do not work and the moonroof switches don't function. So I reinstalled my wholly inadequate 2007 console and it works as before. But after a few more months night driving, spilling drinks and dropping change at the toll booth, I have reached my wits' end.
Is there any way I can wire this thing up? Wouldn't it be great if there was some $13 Metra harness converter or whatnot? Below are several pics, one of the mounted 2007 Console and three of the 2010 Console. The back and sides are exactly the same and the plug is identical, but obviously all the wires in the plug are in the "wrong" place......
If this works, this could be a simple upgrade for your pre-2010 cars and I'd be happy to post my install pics. Many thanks.
Andrew
Rookie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: GA
The newer one does look nice, although the color appears to be slightly mismatched with the headliner. The contrasting buttons should be easier to find in dim light, although I would have preferred backlights similar to other text labels in the car.
I know it's not a perfect solution, but if you leave the little door on the visor mirror open, you can just swing the visor down whenever you're looking for toll booth change, etc. The light behind there is fairly bright, and it shuts off like a refrigerator light when you flip the visor back up.
I know it's not a perfect solution, but if you leave the little door on the visor mirror open, you can just swing the visor down whenever you're looking for toll booth change, etc. The light behind there is fairly bright, and it shuts off like a refrigerator light when you flip the visor back up.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: VA
I didn't steal it from the loaner, although the thought did occur to me. 
It was like $90 on eBay from one of those car-breaker sellers.
The problem with the vanity-light solution is it's plenty bright, but it's right in your eyes and it only comes on with the visor straight down which obscures the road. If you put the visor all the way forward, the light shuts off again.
So anyone know how to hack this plug? If I could get the right signals to the right pins, this would work like a charm.
Andrew
It was like $90 on eBay from one of those car-breaker sellers. The problem with the vanity-light solution is it's plenty bright, but it's right in your eyes and it only comes on with the visor straight down which obscures the road. If you put the visor all the way forward, the light shuts off again.
So anyone know how to hack this plug? If I could get the right signals to the right pins, this would work like a charm.
Andrew
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 3
From: IL
Also would need to do the same for the original part.
The wires can probably be rearranged on the plastic plug by removing them from the back. The wires just have a metal end crimped on that clicks into the plastic plug. Using a tiny screwdriver you should be able to release them and then pop them into the appropriate location.
Most good service manuals provide electrical diagrams - it might even be worth asking the service department if they have this info. Maybe they'll print off a copy of each one for ya... they worst they could say is no!
Good luck.....
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Driver
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 184
Likes: 2
From: Texas
My guess is there's a small micro chip in that sub assembly. Try disconnecting fuses that relate to convenience items so it'll reset the entire convenience system that should force it to read the new sub assembly. If you can't find a fuse you can reset the entire system by disconnecting the negative terminal of the battery for a few minutes. This will however reset everything along with the emissions systems - no big deal, car may run rough first couple starts but it'll be fine after it re-learns it's normal settings.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 409
Likes: 17
From: TX
Looking at this 2008 wiring diagram it looks to be pretty straightforward. I would check to see if the brown, black, and red wires are in the correct locations on the 2010 plug as those are responsible for the Illumination signal, ground, and power in that order. If you can get a similar diagram for the 2010 you should be able to figure it out. Check out page 5 in the attached.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
I suspect that there is no microchip inside the overhead console as command for dimming or shutting the light source should come from the central computer control board. In other words, the console gets the 12V and routes to those bulbs via the on/off switch in a simple manner. If you have a volt-meter you can measure at the connector pins which one is ground (as suggested earlier by madmax96) and the 12V pin. As for the Homelink, I would think it is a module getting 12V all the time and transmits the code within the console - this should be simple to locate.
Time and patience is all it takes to find out the truth. However, be careful NOT to burn out the main CPU board that the connector goes to. It can be costly to replace. Hope yours is still under factory warranty!!
Yes, if I can get one of these 2010 console I would love to replace mine as well so I can read comfortably waiting for kids all the time.
Time and patience is all it takes to find out the truth. However, be careful NOT to burn out the main CPU board that the connector goes to. It can be costly to replace. Hope yours is still under factory warranty!!
Yes, if I can get one of these 2010 console I would love to replace mine as well so I can read comfortably waiting for kids all the time.