Cargo Light Switch Install w/ Pics
 

The pics are pretty self-explanatory. Now I can kill the light when I want to hang out with the hatch open at Joshua Tree...

Fit - Cargo Light Switch Install - a set on Flickr

Cost me around $30 after all was said and done and works like a charm.

Hmm. interesting little mod. Not my thing but if you spend alot of time with the hatch open i can see a need for it. I gotta give you credit none the less. Im still trying to figure out how you spent $30 bucks for a couple feet of wire and a switch though. You gotta help me out on that one. Otherwise pretty neat and thanks for sharing with the masses:D

Nice DIY

Although you're probably better off going to your local junkyard and picking up a rear hatch/trunk light from a Civic/Accord. They have the switches built in to the light housing itself.

This is one that I picked up a while ago but never installed as the older plastic isn't as nice and shiny as the ones that we have in the car now.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...n/DSC00345.jpg

If you want to buy brand new, I'd suggest getting the rear hatch light from an RDX. The clear plastic is nice and shiny and it's a direct replacement for the light we have now.

X2, I was going to suggest that method, the install looks so much cleaner than having a switch stuck into the plastic panel.

pretty good idea now all you need is one of the led panel lights i got for sell.

I put a switch on my cargo area light, but instead of drilling a hole in the body panel, I drilled the hole in the clear lens and mounted the switch in the lens, similar to the pic above. Cost: less than $5 for the switch.

Getting a Honda light with a switch (from a junkyard) is a great idea.

ive been meaning to do this for a really long time, thanks!

For the oem lights w/switch, my buddy gave me one exactly the same as above but it is just a lil bit bigger than the oem fit one

A little sanding and polishing can go a long way. I'm sure you could get it to look nice and clear like ours.

That would come in handy @ a drive in movie theater.

It does seem weird that it cost me $30... but I got the actual switch on eBay for $10 shipped, it was the installation stuff that cost me an extra $20 at the hardware store.

I had to buy a $5 file set to get a file small enough to file the notch in the plastic for the switch, and I'm guessing I got raped on the 3/4" boring bit and electrical connectors.

I feel like the install is clean enough where I'm not sweating it, but replacing the light itself with one that has a switch on it would have been cleaner. The only thing is, seems hard to find. EDIT: I tried to find the RDX light w/ the switch but couldn't confirm it actually had one. When I googled the part number all I got was a Japanese web site showing a pic of one w/ NO switch...

Can you confirm what Civic/Accord that comes from (part # or model+year plz?). We should be able to get it from hondapartsdeals.com if we can't find it anywhere else.

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Acura Parts @ AcuraOEMparts.com - Genuine Acura OEM Parts from Delray Acura

Sorry, can't remember what year car i pulled it from. This was one of the first things that I did to my car when i got it 2 years ago!!!

This is what the RDX light looks like:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...n/rdxlight.jpg

Again, I have no idea of the part number. Best call up your local Acura parts department.

rdx one looks good! anyone know if its the same size though?

yeah rdx and 07+ mdx have it, i put it on my car, fits perfect!!!

Looks good man!

thanks! now to find a cargo light!
rep'd! :)


Edit: Found the part number. 34265-SFE-003 not sure if there is a difference in models of RDX but this is for an 07 w/tech pkg.

nah theyre same.. 07+ rdx or mdx rear cargo light, all models

Thanks all, I just ordered the RDX lens. Another great tip from FitFreak!!! I checked to see if the switch on the overhead light would turn off the cargo light as well but it didn't. 5 minutes later, I placed my order.

My excellent experience and a question
 

I ordered Acura part number 34265-SFE-003 from an internet Acura parts dealer. I took pictures comparing the two before the install so all could see what we're dealing with. The two are identical (with two exceptions) in form, fit and function. The electrical plug is a direct fit too. The two differences are the switch and a small resistor in parallel with the lamp. The switch is in the RDX lens (first pic). The resistor is on the Fit lens (see second pic). I'm not sure what the resistor is for but my guess is either a current limiter/dimmer for the lamp, or part of the security system. :confused: Maybe it's a diode and not a resistor, it's been a while since I've dealt with electronic parts. Either way, the RDX lens is a perfect fitting replacement for the fit lens, looks great (see 3rd pic) and has a switch. If I get any weird issues with the new lens, I'll post.

Here are the fronts side by side (Fit on top).

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/6...6000vh5.th.jpg

Here are the backs side by side (Fit on top). Note the resistor/diode in the upper left corner of the Fit lens.

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/4...5998gn4.th.jpg

Here's the RDX lens installed.

http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/2...6001pr3.th.jpg

The back and front of the lens fit perfect - nice and tight in the back, close fit to the recessed panel from the front. :wavey:

RG

nice at least you can turn it on and off now