Shifter lights not working properly

Tiny
JESSICA MERTENS
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 ACURA TL
  • 3.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 88,000 MILES
I am wondering if at night when you have your lights on, what the shifter should look like and how it should be lit up. Most cars light up which gear you are in but mine doesn't, the P and N are always red.
Saturday, December 25th, 2021 AT 3:06 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,289 POSTS
Hi,

Only the gear selected should light up. On this vehicle, the transmission range sensor indicated the gear positioning to the PCM (powertrain control module) which signals the gauge control module gear selected via what is called the can-bus. At that point, the specifically selected gear should light.

CAN stands for controller area network. Basically, all the computers and modules are tied together via a few wires. If you could, have the can-bus scanned to determine where the breakdown is located. Regardless of the module holding the diagnostic trouble code, this will identify it.

However, before we jump to conclusions, is the vehicle shifting normally? Are the correct gears indicated when the lights are off? One last thing. I need you to check a fuse that could be causing issues as well.

The fuse is number 12 in the fuse box under the dash on the left side. See pic below. Also, when you check it, first make sure the fuse is good. If it is good, then it's important to check for power to and from the fuse. Note: the key will need to be in the on position. The engine doesn't need to be running. Here is a link you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

If you look at the pic below, I highlighted the fuse to check to help locate it.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
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Saturday, December 25th, 2021 AT 10:47 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,003 POSTS
Which indicators are you talking about? The one on the console only lights up with the P&N positions in red and the others in white or blue depending on the options. You can visually tell by the position of the stick next to the gear. They are lit from below with the red made into the plastic windows for park and neutral gears. The actual gear you are in should show in the middle between the gauges as in the second image.
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Sunday, December 26th, 2021 AT 2:41 AM
Tiny
JESSICA MERTENS
  • MEMBER
  • 55 POSTS
The last car I had the color in the 1st pic would change depending on what gear it's in. I thought maybe this car was the same.
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Monday, December 27th, 2021 AT 1:24 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,003 POSTS
Okay. No, they just light up in that car. The indicator in the dash does the rest.
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Monday, December 27th, 2021 AT 1:28 PM

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