FYI: Bulb under armrest

[MagneticGT]

I've replaced the incandescent OEM bulbs on my vehicle with all the available Cool White (6000K) LED bulbs currently offered by Diode Dynamics.

One last bulb I was hoping would complete the interior transformation is the one under the armrest. I thought perhaps it would take a bulb similar to the DD vanity LED. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

It turns out that this bulb is mounted on a tiny circuit board, to which the electrical wiring is soldered. The lens, bulb, and circuit board appear to be all one hardwired unit. Don't bother trying to remove it unless you want to spend hours of frustration trying to get it back in. :frusty:

I found out the hard way that this lighting unit cannot be removed from the front (into the armrest compartment). It is installed/removed from behind the rear wall of the armrest compartment. As I tried to squeeze the tabs on the top and bottom of the lens (thinking the lens would come off to reveal the bulb), the whole unit fell into the recess behind the rear wall. I had a bitch of a time trying to get it back into place. It finally dawned on me that I needed to remove the back trim panel of the center console. Only then was I able to insert a plastic upholstery tool into a small opening to snap the lighting unit back into place. :doh:

In summary, don't bother wasting your time with this bulb. Unless DD takes on the task of creating a custom unit to match their other lighting options, we're stuck with the OEM look. :(

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[FeedtheNeed]

What is the process for removing the rear panel?

I did the exact same thing as you, but I didn't go so far as removing the panel. I just gave up. :headbonk:

 

[MagneticGT]

Is your bulb dangling free in the hole?

You should be able to get your fingers under the bottom corners (at the seam with the side panel) and pull the rear panel towards the back seat. After the bottom is unclipped, you should then be able to get the top portion free. From what I remember, the rear panel clips on at four points.

What is the process for removing the rear panel?

I did the exact same thing as you, but I didn't go so far as removing the panel. I just gave up. :headbonk:

 

[FeedtheNeed]

Its not dangling, but its not really in all the way. One good hit to the center would probably knock it loose.

Thanks for the answer, I'll give it a shot!

 

[foxstr]

Guys, how can I remove the back trim panel of the center console as MagneticGT said? I pushed the bulb and now it's inside, I can't get it back in the place. It's dangling. Please, help me, I spent 2 hours and I didn't manage to do it...

 

[MidnightStars]

Guys, how can I remove the back trim panel of the center console as MagneticGT said? I pushed the bulb and now it's inside, I can't get it back in the place. It's dangling. Please, help me, I spent 2 hours and I didn't manage to do it...

I may be a few years too late, but figured I would provide a little guide on this. I ran into the same problem with the bulb popping out when I was in the middle of cleaning my car...

It really is as simple as OP stated, there are four pins that hold on the piece--two at the top, and two at the bottom. With a panel removal tool, pop out the tabs here on both sides, and work your way up along both sides until the bottom half pops out. Once it does, you can get a good grip on both sides, and pull straight back, and it will release. If it doesn't, continue using the trim removal tool and working your way up until the top two tabs release.

Pictured P/N: FR3B-6304584-A

Now to put the bulb back in... extradorinarily painful... With one hand, you will need to guide the bulb slightly to the right (picture yourself in the backseat, sitting the middle, stradling the transmission tunnel, facing to the front), and use any sturdy piece of plastic or tool, and slip into the back, a VERY tiny opening, and press the bulb back in place. Before applying force, make sure the bulb is aligned with the hole, so it can go in properly & snap in. Aligning it is the HARDEST part. It will take quite a bit of force, so avoid using anything metal and pointy, or you may wind up piercing through the back of the PCBA. Pictured explanation below...

You will need to position the bulb slightly off the center, because the harnessing/cable will want to pull it out of alignment.

From the rear, you will need to go through the very narrow opening w/ something like the tip of a straight piece of tooling--anything in the shape of a popsicle stick really.

Once positioned, press with enough pressure to hold the bulb in place, and move it to be in-line with the housing & press in. Here, the housing should be able to hold the bulb in place. You can then move the tooling to press in the clips on top and bottom of the bulb.

 

[Mike Pfeifer]

If you take out those 4 screws, does the armrest come off? Would that give you more room? Seems like it’s at least worth a try.

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