honda has finally started to update their website to the 2005 models! looks like the accord sedan was the first one done! i like the tail of the "new" sedan alot more than the 03/04. :D

Thanks for the heads up! Looks like the price also got a bump :mad: Also those EX V6 wheels look like the one they put on the 2.4L in Malaysia.

yep, a small bump, nothing too huge atleast!

i want to see if they change anything on the 05 coupes, but they haven't posted them yet. :(

I wanna have the Illuminated steering wheel-mounted controls !! :mad: Is this an option that we can add into our 03's and 04's ??
Princess, maybe you can get some info from Honda?

Originally posted by carbonavi
I wanna have the Illuminated steering wheel-mounted controls !! :mad: Is this an option that we can add into our 03's and 04's ??
Princess, maybe you can get some info from Honda?

I agree... that would be something I'd like to do as well.... if it's not too complicated or doesn't require pulling apart the whole interior.

i'm not sure if i'd want the lit ones or not. please keep me away from the 05's on the lots so i won't decide that i want them! :D

SURPRISE! All 05 Accords come with dual front airbags, front side airbags AND side curtain airbags. That means even the DX! Wow, that increase in price was just justified :)

That's pretty cool.

You know, I actually like the 03-04 style taillights... instead of the all-red 05 ones.

Any word on whether the illuminated steering wheel controls would work in the 03-04 models?

I wish Honda Accord '05 have an HID Projector, which is why I didn't purchase the '04. Thought the '05 come standard light Nissan Maxima. Even the Korean brand Kia or Hyundai came standard. I am very disappointed with Honda.

The only reason I'd like those headlights is so that I can blind everyone on the road too.... :D

Not all projector headlamps are HID... and not all HID headlights are the projector type.

Originally posted by anysia
The only reason I'd like those headlights is so that I can blind everyone on the road too.... :D

No true, but I believed many of the owner do adjust higher to hurt on coming vehicle. HID Projector have very low flare than holgen. and D2R HID do create lots of flare.

Projector headlights **** when paired with halogens - trust me on this one. And being an Accord, they're not giving you HID's standard, so don't wish for those projectors.

I'd be interested in the lighted steering wheel controls too! If I find out, I'll let you know. Unfortunately complicated is a relative term.....my prince seems to make it all look easy! So when the parts list is released, I'll see if I can post the instructions, 'K?

Sure. Thanks for your help. :)

Yup.. Thank's for the help Princess. Seems like your Prince works for Honda? Sorry if I'm little behind, I'm still new in the Forum. :blush:

My dad and I just bought our accords just a little over a month ago and we were both complaining about not having the steering wheel controls not lighting up, and now it comes with that and the side curtain air-bags. We should have waited....hopefully we can install the new wheel controls.

Welcome, BigW34!

carbonavi, yep, my prince has been a Honda tech since 1981.

Thanks princess...I am going to try and get pics of the car up on my website this week...

Yea, I am waiting for him or you to post up the prices/install for the sterring wheel lighting..and thanks for doing it in advance!

Uh, I'm a bit slow with this.....but welcome
res-pilot!

You mentioned not buying an '04 Accord, but do you have an older one? Are you a fellow Piloteer?:D

Originally posted by princess
Uh, I'm a bit slow with this.....but welcome
res-pilot!

You mentioned not buying an '04 Accord, but do you have an older one? Are you a fellow Piloteer?:D

Thank you!!!

Actually, my sister-in-law have an '04 V6 EX-L Navi Accord just three month ago. I test drive it, I love it, the Accord do have power. But, like I said the only thing that hold me back was to wait for the '05 in case Honda add more gadget, ie, HID Projector.
I was wrong, no changes between '04 and '05. I'm thinking getting Nissan Maxima instead. I had a Pilot which I retro my head light to HID Projector cost over a grant, don't want to do that again.
Don't get me wrong, they are awesome with no flare. I know many high end vehicle owner adjust their projector higher after purchase the car, that is very bad especially when you look at it.

front

front2

If you like the Accord, then just add the lights you want.....several seem to take that route!

I'm pretty razzed about the lighted controls on the '05 & keep looking for the parts! If they can be plugged into the exsisting harness I'll add them. If they can easily be spliced in, I'll have them. If there's too much to change I'll wish I had them......

Trading an '02 for an '03 to get Nav was one thing....I won't do it again for lighted controls!;)

HID projectors can be added easily for ~$600-800. Supplies have gotten better as the supply cars (Mercedes, BMW E46, Audi A4/A6, etc) have increased in numbers, and there are a few new ones (S2000, RX330, X5, etc).

Could someone use the inerds from the Acura ones?

Believe you can, but mostly I see people using Acura's for their HID ballasts/bulbs/etc, not so much with the projectors.

ps-they've also now added the 05 civic sedan and coupe info, doesn't look like much has changed there.

where's the 05 accord coupe info?? :confused:

Update 2005 Coupe info is up. Also new Accord hybrid info has been RELEASED.

2005 Honda Accord Hybrid

* Super-efficient Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system
* 3.0 liter I-VTEC V6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM)
* Horsepower increases to 255 hp
* Increased torque to 232 lb.-ft
* Fuel economy increases to 30 city/38 highway
* Addition of Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system
* New Active Control Engine Mount System
* Addition of active noise control system
* New hybrid powered Dual-Zone automatic climate control system
* New instrumentation IMA charge and assist display
* New IMA battery charge indicator
* New instantaneous and lifetime fuel economy meter
* New Dual-Stage front 3-point seat belts with Automatic Tensioning System
* New electric Variable Assist Power Rack-and-Pinion steering
* Unique new front grille design
* Unique hybrid badging
* Addition of rear trunk lid spoiler
* Increased tire size P215/60R16
* Illumination of existing steering wheel mounted audio controls
* New Instant Mobility System
* New exterior color added: Opal Silver

notice they didn't touch the coupe's exterior? they even have some of the same photos up that they had for 04! :D :confused: :( :rolleyes: not sure whether i like that or not!

the hybrid sounds great ! :D

Originally posted by anysia
notice they didn't touch the coupe's exterior? they even have some of the same photos up that they had for 04! :D :confused: :( :rolleyes: not sure whether i like that or not!

One more year and I think they'll do something more dramatic with the coupe and maybe even the sedan. Perhaps 17" on the EX V6 and 18" on the 6-speed, new "red/clear" taillights, or blackhousing headlights. I'd like to see a new front bumper too, I don't like it!

Originally posted by BenjiBoy650
Perhaps 17" on the EX V6 and 18" on the 6-speed


I was bored so I tried to build "my car" as a 2005 model on the Honda web site. I couldn't get 17" wheels to come up... even as an option. But they do show the split 5 spokes in the pics?? Info for 6 speed EX shows 16's. I wonder if they forgot to add it or are doing away with the 17's???

I doubt it, I think they just forgot to change it.

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the forum because we just bought our first accord. We got a graphite '05 EX V-6 Nav. The car had just come off the truck Sunday and hadn't even had the plastic removed from the hood, trunk, or interior. We bought it for the same price that another dealer offered the '04 model. The lit steeriing wheel controls are nice. I prefer the '04 tail lights, but the '05 lights are nice too. The wheels are different on the '05, but I like them just as well as the '04 wheels. I DO wish they offered Xenon lights. Our last car had self-levelling bi-xenon headlights and they are a LOT nicer than halogen. Maybe I'll upgrade with aftermarket later. I put Sylvania Silverstars in my Yukon XL and they are sufficient, so maybe I'll try them before going the expensive route with xenon upgrades. Anyway, I just wanted to say hello to everyone and let you know we have an '05 on the road now.

Welcome!

I believe you'll find this site useful for your new Accord. I would like the lit steering wheel controls, but I don't drive at night very often.

What was your other vehicle with the Xenon lights?

Congrats on your new car, jeffrey! :D
Can't wait to see the pics, maybe u can get one that shows the lit steering wheel controls..

Enjoy the car!

Welcome to the forum, Jeffrey137! We'll be anxiously waiting for pictures of your new "baby" in the gallery!

Being the first here with an '05.....maybe you can answer some questions people have had about the newest features....:)

We traded in a '04 VW beetle convertible GLS. It was a mid-year '04 GLS, so it had the in dash cd player with mp3, leather, dark blue with tan top and tan interior. We got tired of it quickly and wanted something more practical and more hp.

The nav system on the accord has us both wanting to sit in the car in the driveway to figure out the new car. The only thing I want to change soon will be the lights, xenon spoils you quickly. I'll try to get some pics up asap.

I put a couple of pics up under the gallery section. The pics of the steering wheel controls isn't the best, but it's the best I could get even with the dash lights dimmed. Maybe it'll give an idea of how it looks.

Hey, Princess, has Prince found out yet whether the Illuminated steering wheel switches can be retrofitted to the earlier 7th gen. models?

I haven't remembered to ask him....maybe he can look it up for me later today!

That'd be just swell!!:D

Here's what we found about the '05's lighted switch on the steering wheel....

The whole switch would need to be replaced with the '05 version to make the '03 or '04 light up. (Normally just a part of it it replaced for repair...) It looks like the part # is 35880-SDB-A11ZA, or Honda code 7773666. It's simply called "switch HN482L". It runs about 50 bucks for the part. Of course, the steering wheel needs to come apart to replace it, but it looks like the plugs will work on the exsisting wiring.

We haven't done this yet. He's not convinced we will..... I think it would make those night drives easier.

Now this IS the part # for the V6 with nav, so if you have a different model it COULD be a different part#. Point is they do look interchangable IF you replace the whole switch!!:D

I'm unclear as to which models (or if they all) have the lighted controls. You guys would probably know this stuf better than I.;)

Hey thanks, Princess. I for one am going to look into getting the parts. Mine is a straight 04 EX V-6. So my guess is parts may be a little cheaper.:D

Don't count on it! It may be the same part!

He only used mine to look it up & I noticed it said the model at the top of the page he brought home....so I thought it would be wise to make sure y'all knew that part too
.:)

It's definately different part numbers... but even more important although the pins plug right in, there's no power to the extra ones needed for the lights. So you need to find & run the power!! The other important note is that you'll need a special tool to remove the airbag & let it sit several minutes after disconnecting the battery to give it a chance to undo the backup system. He's doing mine now. So pictures or other notes may follow!

35880-SDP-A01ZA (2 dr lx V6, 2 dr ex, 2 dr ex V6, 2 dr exl)
35880-SDP-A11ZA (2 dr w/ nav, 2 dr V6 w/ nav)
35880-SDB-A01ZA (4 dr ex, 4 dr ex V6)

But check with your parts dept. to double check the numbers!

The next several posts will be the "how-to" with pictures..... I do NOT advise ones that would have trouble installing their own stereo to even attempt this!


The parts:

1st disconnect the Battery and wait at least 3 minutes before working on it. The SRS control unit has large capacitors that store power as a back up for the battery and the take a while to fully discharge, before that time the air bag could still go off.

2nd two remove the access cover from the underside of the steering wheel

3rd disconnect the air bag and horn

.

4th use a T30 torx bit to remove the two bolts on sides of the steering wheel holding the air bag in place (handle it with care and place it in a safe place)

5th remove the old switches (two screws each on the back side of the steering wheel)

6th remove the top cover of the steering shaft, you will see a white connector in the top center (this is where the real fun begins) you will need to add two more wires to that connector

The power wire goes in the second hole from the right on the top row (looking at the connector from the wire side withe the lock tab up) I pulled two pins from the wires I removed with the old switches

7th The ground wire goes into the only open hole in the bottom row

8th you need to find someplace to tap into the running lights, I spliced into the wired on the frog light connector (red with a black stripe for light power and black for ground)

9th I did not bother to add lights to the voice switch so I removed the old connector from the wires and inserted only the pins I needed from the new wires, if you replace that switch at the same time the new connector should just plug in.

10th install the new switches paying close attention to the wire routing

11th install the air bag and reconnect the air bag and horn connectors

reconnect the battery, it should all be working now but you are still not done, you will need to inter you radio code and you need to do a Idle learn procedure anytime you remove power from the computers to do this you need to
1 turn off all electrical devices (A/C, Lights, Radio....)
2. Start the engine and let it reach normal operating temperature
3. Let it idle for 5 more minutes (all the time not touching the throttle)
That's it your done


Now I need to tell you that this is not for everyone, it require a skill level of 8 to 10 to do the rewiring needed, any mistake could be very costly. In other words I would say DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME. But on the other hand I did have fun and it's pretty cool to say it can be done because I did it.

And dangerous when messing with airbags..... they can explode!!!:bawling:

If you damage the airbag.....it's gonna cost you about $800:eek:

Originally posted by princess
If you damage the airbag.....it's gonna cost you about $800:eek:

That's in addition to the injuries you might sustain. Maybe not quite an arm and a leg, but I'd have to say pretty close.

Yeah, that too!! "you could poke an eye out".......:eek: :)

probably not worth paying for the labor at a dealership either....

i think i'll stick to trying to find someone to help me change the ambient light thing!!! (as cool as a blue one would be, it might clash somewhat with my dash!)

Last night we drove home on a VERY dark road & it was really cool to have those controls lit! They are slightly duller lights than the ones on the dash around the screen. But that's a good thing! We wouldn't want things too bright on the steering wheel!:D I like 'em!

A complication I don't think he mentioned was that one of the bolts to the air bag was cross threaded! The bolt broke! It had to be drilled out & retapped, then hunt down the same kind! Even with all that it only took about 3 hours including a lunch break!;) That was much longer than expected though.... We were disappointed that we had to find a hot wire, the hope was it would already be there.:(

So his Pilot has the bun warmers of an '04 & my Accord has the steering wheel lights of an '05!:D

Well this is afew months after this thread started but I found it and had to act. I always wondered why the steering wheel controls wern't illuminated on my '03 Accord coupe AV6. To me it made sence they should be. Anyway bought the switches($23)
and had a former Honda tech WITH THE HELP(instructions/photos)
FROM THIS TREAD and $30 for him, and WOW, I love 'em. No more unwanted channel changing or horn blowing. I sure I would have been killed with dealer labor costs if I had them do it. Only took 1Hr. to install. He's Good.

Welcome, odk!!:)

welcome odk! glad to hear the install went smoothly for you! :)

I worked on this with a friend and instead of the fog lights we tapped into the TCS. The fog light wasn't lighting it for some reason. It worked fine and then I started getting TCS warning lights coming on. I disconnected and it started fine without warning lights (no illuminated controls though). I drove in again to work and the TCS light comes on again. Here is the problem, my friend is a great electrical oriented person and he says that tapping into that line shouldn't do anything at all. In addition, the light came on before, but would always go away after I turned the car off. I am going to the dealer, but this has been the week from hell with my car. See this THREAD (http://www.v6performance.net/forums/showthread.php?t=48283) over at v6p.net. Thanks for the write up. I was missing the one grey wire, but you have Nav and I don't.

J-

Welcome mishima8! Let us know how it turns out....

Originally posted by princess
Welcome mishima8! Let us know how it turns out.... Thanks, and I will.

Hi, Princess

Am very confuse with the POWER WIRE FOR LIGHT green with brown strip shown on diffrent slot on step 6th and 7th also you state that ((pulled two pins from the wires ))
could you pls explain.

Thanks,

The power wire goes in the second hole from the right on the top row (looking at the connector from the wire side withe the lock tab up) I I removed with the old switches

I got it all done. I connected the power and ground to some LEDs I had hooked up, so they come on when the key is on ACC. Then last weekend I got into an accident. :( Some minor injuries, but it wasn't my fault. I am not happy, initial estimate is 10K damage.

http://www.v6performance.net/forums/showthread.php?t=49079

Originally posted by mishima8
I got it all done. I connected the power and ground to some LEDs I had hooked up, so they come on when the key is on ACC. Then last weekend I got into an accident. :( Some minor injuries, but it wasn't my fault. I am not happy, initial estimate is 10K damage.

http://www.v6performance.net/forums/showthread.php?t=49079

mishima~sorry to hear about your accident!! glad everyone is ok, only minor injuries! is the link for pics? i can't access that site from work, they have it blocked.... :(

my grand total for my repairs on my car from the accident back in november is up over 9k after the most recent fixes.... and the car will never be the same again, so i really feel your pain on that one. :bawling:

mishima8, so sorry to hear about the accident!!!!

veasnalong, my prince posted all that for me, so I'll see what he has to say. In re-reading it....I'm not sure what info you need. The new & old connectors didn't quite match would be why a couple of pins would need to be removed. Maybe some of the others that have also made the change could explain it better....

Princess:
The part number you posted for the '04 came up to only $16.88 on the Majestic Honda website. If this is correct (tried to call and they are closed), I'm definitely doing this mod. I curse those dark controls at least one or two nights per week! (my old Firebird had them, truck has them)
http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/srchrslts.jsp?search=sku&srchwords=35880-SDB-A01ZA

Thanks!

Thank you for your response anyway I got the part from Majestic Honda two weeks ago and got it to installed it works great.

I really want to do this, but I do not want to tackle it myself.

I am wondering if my local independent Honda repair shop could handle this.

I may ask them next time I am in. My guess is that the labor may be a bit prohibitive if you don't do it yourself.

Of all the mods and upgrades I've done to my car this is probably the best. It kinda turned my '03 into an '05. I believe the car and me are a little safer 'cause I'm not fumbling for switches at night. It just makes sense to have them illuminated. This makes the car funner :D to drive.

I don't know what the big fuss is about having lighted switches.. Personally, I can go through all the controls in the car by feel. Each switch on the steering wheel has different kinds of bumps on them to tell you what switch it is. I got lighted steering wheel controls from the factory and I can't think of a time when I needed to look down at the buttons to know what they are. They're so dimly lit at night that you have to stare at them for a few seconds for your eyes to adjust in order to read them anyway. Is every one else's lighted steering wheel controls seem to be dimmer than the rest of the dash lights (ie. gauges, radio, window switches etc)?

103,655 miles and counting for my '03!

You are right, the controls are a little dim but better than nothing. I typically drive at night after a 12 hour day on the road, I welcome the lighted cruise buttons, sometimes I fumble for them, even after 100k. On my GM vehicles, the lighted controls can be brightened like any of the other dash lights. I typically keep my display lights dime, so the steering wheel controls are visible enough. I love to tinker, so adding a $20 mod is worth it just for the challenge alone!

103,655 miles and counting for my '03!

I can't believe the mileage some of you put on your cars!!! :jawdrop: After out trip to LA this weekend I'll have about 13.5K. (that's putting about 1K on it) We've now owned it for 21 months.


I like the lighting of the wheel controls. We have some pretty dark roads around here..... if it were brighter, it would be annoying. Just enough to see when needed. Great for driving on the levee roads! :thmsup:

I can't believe the mileage some of you put on your cars!!!After out trip to LA this weekend I'll have about 13.5K. (that's putting about 1K on it) We've now owned it for 21

Dang - I don't have no where near 100K+ on my 03 but I do my share of driving. I have 30K on my 03 after 2.5 years - that's about 12,000 a year. BUT - I also put about 15,000 on my 91 RT4WD Wagon every year AND 10,000 on the Prelude per year :D I've only had the "fleet" for just over two years now. I bought a house with a garage that just begged to be filled up :thmsup: When I had only one car, I was easily doing about 40-45,000 a year.

Um, where do I go? Hell - everywhere :lmao: I visit friends in Pitt, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Rochester on a regular basis. I'll make the 9 hour drive to Ral, NC about once every 6 weeks or so (sometime more during the summer.) And most of the time I always take the "long way home". To avoid the stop and go traffic light infested streets created by sprawl and growing shopping malls, I'll find myself taking the path less traveled waaaAAAYYY around everything. More scenic. Less traffic. And a lot of times, it's quicker because fewer cars choose the long way. Works for me! :yes:

95% work miles for me. I receive a car allowance and mileage reimbursement for gas/maintenance. I'm all over the NJ/PA and NY turnpike systems on a regular basis. The 4 cylinder has met all of my travel needs in the past two years. My only regret is not getting the leather interior, that black velour is tough to keep clean.

Last year I put 35K on my old car with a 40 mile one way commute to work and 5 trips to Rochester. In the month since I got my new car I've put 2k on it :paranoid: eventhough my work commute is now less than :banana: 20mi round trip. For some reason I think my new car is forcing me to drive more and take the long way around too. :notworthy Something about finally having a V-6 and seat heaters...? :biggrin: :thmsup:

i have 13 k... had the car for 11 months just about, but it was out of commission for 5.5 weeks.... so in reality it's been on the road for less than 10 months! ;)

the mileage has slowed significantly though since i moved!!!

if i hadn't moved back in february, i'd be closer to 18k now!

i like taking the long way around sometimes too! and going for random pointless drives just to get into my car!


on the subject of interiors, my cloh used to be harder to keep clean. somehow it seems to have gotten easier with time! attracts less fuzz/lint now! :dunno: :thmsup:

For those of you with cloth interiors, do you find yourself getting shocked when you get out of the car? I didn't make the connection between the shock and cloth interiors until I got my car an realized that I don't get shocked any more. :banana:

YES!!! :yes: My old car had cloth and I was constantly getting shocked. With the leather it very rarely happens unless the dog is goofing around trying escape the back seat to fit between the front seats. (he doesn' fit through there too well and he's a little big to sit comfortably in the front). The leather is also much easier to keep clean IMO. Nothing really soaks in and is easy to wipe off or use a vaccum. Looks much cleaner too :thmsup:

Any time I have my dog in the car, it's covered in doggy hairs.. All I do is drive with all the windows open, then slap the seats a bit to blow out the hairs. :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: It gets rid of 90% of the hairs, but the rest is a lot easier to remove. The doggy hairs just embed themselves into the cloth seats I had in my old car and vaccuuming never seems to get rid of all of it.

DUCT TAPE!

Take an 8 - 10 inch piece of duct tape, hold it taut with sticky side down and "tap" the cloth repeatedly. It should pull up 99% of the stubborn dog hair and lint.

I agree with some of the other posters . . . leather rules. It's easier to clean, seems more durable, doesn't soak in spills, and when you buff it, you get the new car smell back. :D Ahhhhhhh - love that smell :lmao:

For those of you with cloth interiors, do you find yourself getting shocked when you get out of the car? I didn't make the connection between the shock and cloth interiors until I got my car an realized that I don't get shocked any more. :banana:
I have leather, and I always get shocked when I try to use my keycard access gate. Maybe it's my clothes? *shrug*

I have leather, and I always get shocked when I try to use my keycard access gate. Maybe it's my clothes? *shrug*

I'll bet that it's the shoes. I always get shocked when I'm wearing my flip flops, and we're not talking about little shocks either. We're talking about stuff that even a passenger on the other side of the car could hear...lol

I've tried two different types of shoes... but that's not it. It's probably my polyester uniform... It's funny to watch the shock though. It's like one of those purple static orb thingies when it shocks me.

I've tried two different types of shoes... but that's not it. It's probably my polyester uniform... It's funny to watch the shock though. It's like one of those purple static orb thingies when it shocks me.

Some shoes (Timberlands in particular I think) have metal strips in them to improve comfort...maybe that's it? :dunno: I have never gotten shocked (in memory) with my tennis shoes on.

I think the static is caused by the action of getting in/out of the car. It's kinda hard not to slide off the seat and when you do, you're creating static.. I don't know what so special about the leather, but it doesn't hold a charge like cloth does.

A good reminder, always make sure to discharge all static BEFORE pumping gas.

I was watching MythBusters on Discovery Channel awhile back, and they did a segment on the myth of not using cell phones at a gas station. The cell phone never set anything off, but the act of starting the pump, going back to the car, and then getting out to stop the pump was found to be the cause of most fires. I guess thats why most stations removed the pump lock, and require you to manually hold the pump now.

You could always use your knuckles to touch the door frame of the car to discharge yourself after stepping out of the car. You don't have many nerve endings there and the shock wouldn't hurt as much.

You could always use your knuckles to touch the door frame of the car to discharge yourself after stepping out of the car. You don't have many nerve endings there and the shock wouldn't hurt as much.

Good tip :thumbsup:

I think I learned that from my 10th grade Physics teacher or some professor in college. I made good use of that tip ever since! :yes: :thmsup:

I always get shock when I close the door...after getting out of the car...cloth interiors? AC? I dont know...so I try to close the door by pushing the door with my butt...that way...saves that stupid jerk that you get when you shock yourself...

btw...it is May and why the hell is it still cold at nights?!! the midwest sux...

accord_boy66

I still used the heated seats last night! I still want to live where Princess is. I still..... ok, I'll stop rambling! :yes: :biggrin:

Today is drizzly & 70....but they claim we're going to be 90 on Sunday.....we'll see!

It was nice down in LA! 84 & sunny! Nights were just cool enough to wear pants instead of shorts....but some people still wore them.

I didn't need my seat heaters all weekend!!! :banana: Of course, we DID wlak to the parks...... :nuts:

4th use a T30 torx bit to remove the two bolts on sides of the steering wheel holding the air bag in place (handle it with care and place it in a safe place)


Bought a T30 torx screw driver ... can't get it undone

Bought a T30 torx bit for my electric drill ... STILL won't come undone ...


any suggestions please?

Bought a T30 torx screw driver ... can't get it undone

Bought a T30 torx bit for my electric drill ... STILL won't come undone ...


any suggestions please?
they are set in with lock-tite. be very carefull.. don't strip the heads out......

okay thanks.

but what is lock-tite?


how do i get the bolts out!?

how do i lock tite them again when im done?

lock tite does kinda what it says. "locks" the bolts in there once they are in so there is no way the will back out or come loose on their own. no big trick to getting them out, just slow and carefull. take a flashlight and look at the bolt head and see if it looks messed up. if not use your socket and hand ratchet and push inward VERY hard and turn slowly. replace the bolts if you can, new ones will have the lock tite on them. side note... no car I've worked on other than 7th gen accords has lock tite on these bolts... so really is it required???? not in my opinion, but do it right and replace the bolts anyways.

hmm okay fantastic...

except i can't get this thing off...

and im also working on a coupe i dunno if that should make a different

but i have the T30 bit in my 1350rpm electric drill and im pushing really really hard and it won't budge at all..

where can i purchase the same lock-tite bolts from if i ever can manage to get this off?

put the drill away. :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: these bolts take easy and finess, not a drill. you may have already ruined the heads of the bolts. take a close look. my car is a coupe, so same thing... get new bolts at honda dealer.

okay drill is gone

flashlight is out..bolt looks good and doesn't have any visible stripping to the head..

i just did a google search on how to remove loctite threadlocker and it says if its blue hand tools can remove it

if its red or green apply heat and hand tools...

i dunno about applying heat around the airbag...plus i can't tell what color the loctite is..

so back to the hand t30 tool.. not gonna lie this is really killing my mojo for doing this mod im going on 3 hours on trying to get these two bolts off

i appreciate your help tho...got anymore tips or ideas..how did you get yours off? was it a pain?

the lock tite on those is red. but DO NOT heat. just be careful and they will come out. just push into the head as hard as you can.

alright thanks..but im pushing as hard as i can and i can't even get this thing to budge...this project is getting shelved in 2.3minutes .. thanks tho

yeh this project is shelved.

im wearing work gloves and still got a blister on my right palm.

F**K!!!!!! i hate it when i can't get sh** to work

Try a T30 bit on a long handled socket wrench, that should give you the torque you need to remove the bolts.

Would this apply to the 2005 Value Package 4 door with no Cruise Control. Could I buy this part and have the steering controls installed, or is cruise control not a part of my Accord at all?

hi all
first of all lemme congratulate u all for doing such a great job... u're helping alot of accord owners....keep up the good work

like many others i also have a question
i have a 2004 accord LX which doesn't have any audio controls in the steering wheel... if i follow the instructions as per this forum and add the buttons, will the work with the existing radio ? will i find the place in my steering wheel to connect the wires of the buttons ??

Depends on your radio.. if the connectors are they, then you can have it...

I tried this mod on an 04 LX with no luck. The issue you are going to run into is with the cable reel behind the steering wheel. I bought an EX 6-disk radio but there is NO way to pass the wires needed for the steering wheel controls unless you buy a cable reel from an EX (which is expensive because of the airbag controls)

i know this is an old therad but i definitely want to do this in my car...do you have pictures at night with the steering wheel lights illuminated?

does anyone have pics of the steering wheel controls illuminated (on) ?

ok so i dont mean to bump an old thread again buttttt. today i worked on a 07 ex 4cyl sedan. had steering wheel controls. i kept messing with them to see if they lit up, they did, but they were very dim. they weren't green, they were like that yellow-whitish color (white) and i tried adjusting the brightness but it didnt change.

princess you said yours were green. i wonder if it all depends on the model of the car. because their gauges were white, ALL white, even the needles, needles weren't orange! i also noticed when i was pressing the trip button, it didnt show temp, but it showed oil life % and when you turned it to adjust the brightness, there was actually a little level that went from left to right showing the brightness/dimness on it which was pretty cool.

As I said mine are light green....I have no idea which '04 they were supposed to go in.

sorry to bump after 2 years but found stearing wheel controls i bought from ebay with stearing wheel from 05 and they do light up (put 12V to power wires), i also removed inside defusers to make leds little brighter, not sure how much brighter they got. Princess so plugs are different on 03-04 then on 05 stearing wheel controls? mine is blue and one in your pic is white. so there is no 12V running to stearing wheel and you have to run wire somewhere to get to this controls light up?

any idea if i can install the steering wheel audio controls on my 07 ex? i have the 6cd changer and cruise control but no audio controls. the stereo is the same as the ones you guys get in the US.

you have ex and no audio contols? thats wierd, thought ex gets everything except navi
possibly you can if connector is same and same head unit. but im not 100% sure

yup here in UAE the options are slightly different. i know for sure that the stereo is the same as the US spec cars. what connector should i be looking for? if anyone could post a pic it would really help.

start from post #47 http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1205&page=4

Hey Sy, I got mixed up on with that too, the harness in princess pic is not of the harness on the steering wheel, its the white harness in the steering COLUMN!!!

Took me a few nights of reading and rereading to figure that out, all the while it was right in the post.

So you dont modify anything on the blue harness. Just leave that alone.

Pop open the top cover of the steering COLUMN and unplug the WHITE harness, looks exactly like the BLUE one in the steering wheel as pictured on princess' post.

Then follow the rest of her DIY and add a wire for power on position #2 on the bottom row and a ground on the top row postion #4 and tap that over to the fog light or sunroof switch.

For my car, the first postion on the sunroof switch was ground and the second position was power (red with black strip). Hope that helps all who are considering doing this mod.

sorry to bump after 2 years but found stearing wheel controls i bought from ebay with stearing wheel from 05 and they do light up (put 12V to power wires), i also removed inside defusers to make leds little brighter, not sure how much brighter they got. Princess so plugs are different on 03-04 then on 05 stearing wheel controls? mine is blue and one in your pic is white. so there is no 12V running to stearing wheel and you have to run wire somewhere to get to this controls light up?

Princess,

I love that you showed in great detail how to do this project, however, I'm still a bit confused by the wiring. I don't have a v6, I have a four cylinder black coupe, that's awesome, and this mod would be perfect, looking to tap into the headlight multiswitch for some power to those lights, so that when my headlights are on, so are the audio controls! Any ideas? I'm kind of at a loss, and I've been waiting trying to figure out how to get this done on my EX 03 coupe four cylinder. if you wouldn't mind shooting me an email at brandondgordon@gmail.com, that'd be great too!

I'm not sure if she'll respond. She's recovering right now. Send well wishes here: http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?t=88745
I took some pics when I was installing mine a few years ago. I have a V6 though, so I don't know if it's identical to your I4. Hopefully, they'll assist you.


http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f161/zetaroy/IMAG0168-1_zpsfcf4be04.jpg (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/zetaroy/media/IMAG0168-1_zpsfcf4be04.jpg.html)
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f161/zetaroy/IMAG0169_zps9f43eefd.jpg (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/zetaroy/media/IMAG0169_zps9f43eefd.jpg.html)
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f161/zetaroy/IMAG0171-1_zpse0c6f759.jpg (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/zetaroy/media/IMAG0171-1_zpse0c6f759.jpg.html)
T-tapped into the red/black wire and black wire from my fog light switch.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f161/zetaroy/IMAG0175-1_zps9e5f8720.jpg (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/zetaroy/media/IMAG0175-1_zps9e5f8720.jpg.html)

Where do the green and brown wires come from? Can I just attach different colored wires to it? Does it matter? where did you get those wires from?

Alright guys, I'm gonna be honest, I can't get past the freaking torque screws!! Help! I've got all the equipment and I'm ready to roll, I just cannot get the torque screws!! Anyone have any suggestions?

Where do the green and brown wires come from? Can I just attach different colored wires to it? Does it matter? where did you get those wires from?
The green and brown wires came from the old steering switches you're replacing. You can use different colors if you want.
I just cannot get the torque screws!! Anyone have any suggestions?
I used a socket wrench with a long handle and SLOWLY removed them to prevent stripping them.

The green and brown wires came from the old steering switches you're replacing. You can use different colors if you want.

I used a socket wrench with a long handle and SLOWLY removed them to prevent stripping them.

Thank you so much! Hey I did get those screws out just used the socket wrench :P one of those things you kinda learn as you go on, and then I had to destroy the plastic on the old boy to get the pins out with the wire. Holy crap talk about lots of busy work!

also, zetaroy, if I'm tapping my sunroof switch, which wire is hot and which is ground? any idea?

Hey Sy, I got mixed up on with that too, the harness in princess pic is not of the harness on the steering wheel, its the white harness in the steering COLUMN!!!

Took me a few nights of reading and rereading to figure that out, all the while it was right in the post.

So you dont modify anything on the blue harness. Just leave that alone.

Pop open the top cover of the steering COLUMN and unplug the WHITE harness, looks exactly like the BLUE one in the steering wheel as pictured on princess' post.

Then follow the rest of her DIY and add a wire for power on position #2 on the bottom row and a ground on the top row postion #4 and tap that over to the fog light or sunroof switch.

For my car, the first postion on the sunroof switch was ground and the second position was power (red with black strip). Hope that helps all who are considering doing this mod.

I was just curious, because I did this with the sunroof switch like you advised and it didn't work, what do I need to do? The power on the sunroof switch was the black and red wire correct? and the ground was that blue and gray colored wire? I'm only asking because in looking at the wiring, and hooking it all up on the back of the sunroof switch, none of the lighting worked. If you could give me a pointer on how to get this to light up I'd appreciate it, because at this point I don't have to take off the airbag anymore, I just have to fiddle with the wiring between the switches and the sunroof. Thanks!!

if I'm tapping my sunroof switch, which wire is hot and which is ground?
Hmm, not sure. According to this diagram, I would say the positive wire taps to #5 and the negative wire taps to either #1, #2, or #3. Only one way to find out. Good luck!
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd260/got2lovme9/2006accordmoonroof.png

Some people say the illuminated switches are kind of dim so you may want to try this to brighten them up.
This is a common sentiment about the illuminated switches so before I installed my switches, I removed a portion of the "rubber gasket" covering the LEDs. For those who want to brighten their steering wheel switches, can give this a shot.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f161/zetaroy/IMAG0108-1.jpghttp://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f161/zetaroy/IMAG0109.jpghttp://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f161/zetaroy/IMAG0110.jpghttp://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f161/zetaroy/IMAG0111.jpghttp://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f161/zetaroy/IMAG0112.jpghttp://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f161/zetaroy/IMAG0184.jpg

Unfortunately they're not just dark...I just can't get them to light up, and there's a possibility of 2 differen't problems I guess. The green power wire that I put in to the new plug was a little bent in at the very tip, which I guess means that could be not making contact correctly. One question I have for you Zetaroy, is how to I back that wire out and put another one in without destroying the plastic? Also, does it matter what color wire I use from my old unit, or can i use any color? Also the wiring that I spliced to the wire from the column over to the sunroof wire wasn't copper wiring, it was just some spare wiring I had leftover from a light project I did a few months back that was silver colored wiring.

how to I back that wire out and put another one in without destroying the plastic? Also the wiring that I spliced to the wire from the column over to the sunroof wire wasn't copper wiring...
That's unfortunate to hear. It doesn't matter what color you use, but not using copper wiring might be the culprit. To remove the wire, you need a tiny screwdriver. I suggest .9mm or smaller.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f161/zetaroy/20130504_092438_zps87537a33.jpg (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/zetaroy/media/20130504_092438_zps87537a33.jpg.html)
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f161/zetaroy/20130504_090450_zpsa6d1edf3.jpg (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/zetaroy/media/20130504_090450_zpsa6d1edf3.jpg.html)
Remove the locking cap.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f161/zetaroy/20130504_090613_zps326a99a0.jpg (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/zetaroy/media/20130504_090613_zps326a99a0.jpg.html)
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f161/zetaroy/20130504_090737_zps4599d9aa.jpg (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/zetaroy/media/20130504_090737_zps4599d9aa.jpg.html)
Insert the screwdriver and lift the little tab that's holding the wire in place. It's hard to see so you may want to practice doing this on your old switches which uses the same plastic connector.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f161/zetaroy/20130504_090914_zpsa8554599.jpg (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/zetaroy/media/20130504_090914_zpsa8554599.jpg.html)
With the tab lifted, tug on the wire and it should slide out.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f161/zetaroy/20130504_091436_zpsabe7ba00.jpg (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/zetaroy/media/20130504_091436_zpsabe7ba00.jpg.html)

Zetaroy, found out it is copper wiring that I ran, it's just coated in a very thin layer of some silver coating, which peels right back, and I'm sure my taps penetrated. I think I'm going to try the wire thing this morning/afternoon, if I can find a screwdriver small enough. I used to have tons, but not so sure anymore, I think it might be the connection in the green wire due to the fact that it's a little crunched at the front. I'll follow up once I've got that replaced.:thmsup: