Console lights?
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 50
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From: NJ - NEW JERSEY
Console lights?
Anyone else bothered by the lack of illuminated buttons in the overhead console?
Was fumbling around last night looking for a Homelink button when I realized unlike my last three cars with Homelink these aren't lit.
Disappointing on a $40k car.
Posted from ClubLexus.com App for Android
Was fumbling around last night looking for a Homelink button when I realized unlike my last three cars with Homelink these aren't lit.
Disappointing on a $40k car.
Posted from ClubLexus.com App for Android
Last edited by deilenberg; Feb 19, 2013 at 08:32 AM. Reason: smelling pistchake
Pit Crew
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 212
Likes: 10
From: AZ.
Anyone else bothered by the lack of illumined buttons in the overhead console?
Was fumbling around last night looking for a Homelink button when I realized unlike my last three cars with Homelink these aren't lit.
Disappointing on a $40k car.
Posted from ClubLexus.com App for Android
Was fumbling around last night looking for a Homelink button when I realized unlike my last three cars with Homelink these aren't lit.
Disappointing on a $40k car.
Posted from ClubLexus.com App for Android
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 50
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From: NJ - NEW JERSEY
Just seems odd on a car this expensive that the engineers (Pursuing Perfection) would miss the need to LIGHT all the controls one might use when it's dark in the truck/car. Took the P car to the gym late this afternoon, turning into the driveway around 6PM I reached over, pressed the button with one-dot on it (#1 homelink button) and voila! the garage door started opening. Very odd oversight (as is not having the mode control buttons for the audio system illuminated..)
No, I don't play soccer!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,652
Likes: 177
From: NJ
Yup, the lack of illuminated buttons is up there literally with the missing sunglass holder. Some members have resorted to placing fluorescent tape on them. The shape helps me figure it out.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,676
Likes: 18
From: So California
...and I agree it is a missing feature Lexus went backward on when it was eliminated -- a failure in Lexus' pursuit of perfection. Fortunately I've not been in a moon-less or pitch black situation yet where I couldn't locate the right button to push. I'm fortunate that there has generally been enough ambient light to figure out where to push, or perhaps I'm used to figuring out the location of the 2nd button I use most of the time to park my RX, so I don't consider this as a major failure compared to other things, in an otherwise well thought out ride.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2013
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From: NJ - NEW JERSEY
Wonder if Lexus has a "suggested routes to perfection" (ie - product improvement) submission form on their website. That would show they are serious about PoP.. 
Meanwhile - I'll be thinking about some way to illuminate that area.
Meanwhile - I'll be thinking about some way to illuminate that area.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 50
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From: NJ - NEW JERSEY
Hmmm.. thinking "mod"..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reactive-Lig...item19d8ebcce9
Thinking mounting it so it shines across the buttons - we know there is 12V in the overhead console (the interior lights need it)..
There are others I found...
Only problem I see is they may be took bright, and since LEDs are iffy on dimming (by dropping voltage with a resistor) it might be impractical.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reactive-Lig...item19d8ebcce9
Thinking mounting it so it shines across the buttons - we know there is 12V in the overhead console (the interior lights need it)..
There are others I found...
Only problem I see is they may be took bright, and since LEDs are iffy on dimming (by dropping voltage with a resistor) it might be impractical.
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No, I don't play soccer!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,652
Likes: 177
From: NJ
I have LED bulbs in the dome lights and they still dim, albeit a little less gracefully. There is a way to remove the entire front overhead console. I asked the dealer a while back but haven't figured it out yet. I imagine it's just a few tabs that have to be released. Nobody has pursued a fix to this problem. Don, feel free to give it a try.
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 7
From: AZ
I did try to make a mod to this and I believe there is a thread somewhere in here. Overhead console is easily removed but illuminating the buttons requires drilling a hole through them as they do not back light. I have learned to just aim for the pin hole light and have my garage door set for the center button.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,146
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From: AZ
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 362
Likes: 2
From: WA
The 2nd Gen RX had lots of lights in the overhead console, even lights for the sunroof buttons. Our 3rd Gen's console is dark and depressing at night
a little off topic but the 2nd Gen RX had lights in all the interior door handles... ours do not
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 953
From: Toronto, ON
Backlit from?
I did try to make a mod to this and I believe there is a thread somewhere in here. Overhead console is easily removed but illuminating the buttons requires drilling a hole through them as they do not back light. I have learned to just aim for the pin hole light and have my garage door set for the center button.
My Sienna has backlit homelink buttons and effectively the lighting is a similar idea. A tiny light behind the button and each button has either 1, 2, or 3 little dots of clear plastic.
Pit Crew
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 189
Likes: 2
From: Ontario
The overhead lighting dilemma... Again
I see that this is an inherent problem in many Japanese cars. My 2003 VW golf lit more items then my Lexus. They have improved it slightly in 2013 by illuminating the LED light switch. My question is, now that we have lighting there has anyone tried to illuminate the rest of the buttons? I'm too chicken to try anything lol, it was tried on a pre 2013 RX in another thread.
Pit Crew
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 189
Likes: 2
From: Ontario
This is what Lexus should do, lets hope someone will read this... I know we are being picky but we want perfection.
Here are some pics and my request list for future Lexus purchases:
-Illuminate ALL overhead lights
-light the seat memory buttons
-light the middle up/down arrows on the controller
-light pwr vol/ tune/scroll and temp lettering on the radio
-light the vent open/close icons
Any other requests?
Here are some pics and my request list for future Lexus purchases:
-Illuminate ALL overhead lights
-light the seat memory buttons
-light the middle up/down arrows on the controller
-light pwr vol/ tune/scroll and temp lettering on the radio
-light the vent open/close icons
Any other requests?
