Limited lighted cupholders

[Bill1989]

I have a 2011 limited and I don't know how but my wife/kids broke the cupholder in the front. there is a huge crack and the ambient lighting does not work anymore. anyway to replace the cupholder completely?

 

[peterk9]

I have a 2011 limited and I don't know how but my wife/kids broke the cupholder in the front. there is a huge crack and the ambient lighting does not work anymore. anyway to replace the cupholder completely?

Are you saying the ambient light isn't working in just that broken cup holder or both of them?
I checked fordparts.com and it looks like the part number is 13562A ($61.45) and they also list a rubber cup holder insert 13562B ($63.67). I think it is likely better to visit the dealer and have them check it out and get a quote from the parts department. It doesn't look like the cup holder just pops out.
Good luck.

Peter

 

[serenaray]

I have a 2014 Ford Explorer Limited. One of the rings in my cupholder no longer lights very well. Parts of it don't light at all but my other cupholder and other ambient lighting works just fine. Im trying to just replace that one strip in the one cupholder but can't seem to find a way to. Can anyone help?

 

[peterk9]

Are you sure that there is just a separate LED strip or is it part of the cup holder itself? Unfortunately, as happens all too often, the thread starter never bothered to reply or update this thread. I don't recall another such problem and did not find one using the search feature. You may have to pull the console apart to get at it.
I'm not sure if part #18 is what you need or not. Console for 2014 Ford Explorer | Auto Nation Ford White Bear Lake

Peter

 

[Toddman41]

How do I get to the cupholder ambient lighting rings, as last time I went to a drive through, one soda cup leaked in the front cupholder, and has caused the LEDs to dim by 50%. Not sure if I can clean them to restore original brightness, or if I'll have to replace the cupholder AL ring.

I'm currently recovering from lower back surgery, so this may have to wait a bit. Just unsure how intensive this will be as I can't lift more than 10 lbs for 6 weeks.

 

[peterk9]

I don't believe they can be replaced individually. This may be the part that you are looking for and if so, I think you would have to take the console apart in order to fix it. 2016-2019 Ford Explorer Lamp FB5Z-14A318-B | TascaParts.com.
I did not find any other instances of a similar problem other than this thread.

Peter

 

[Toddman41]

I don't believe they can be replaced individually. This may be the part that you are looking for and if so, I think you would have to take the console apart in order to fix it. 2016-2019 Ford Explorer Lamp FB5Z-14A318-B | TascaParts.com.
I did not find any other instances of a similar problem other than this thread.

Peter

No, not trying to replace any individually. If you read my post I stated I want to try cleaning the front ring they was exposed to the soda. If like every other Ford equipped with AL, these LEDs are sealed inside a clear plastic ring. So more than likely these just have a sticky layer of soad over the plastic.

But, if that doesn't remedy the cupholder ring, I'll replace the cupholder ring which is one piece and surprisingly less than I was expecting.

 

[peterk9]

No, not trying to replace any individually. If you read my post I stated I want to try cleaning the front ring they was exposed to the soda. If like every other Ford equipped with AL, these LEDs are sealed inside a clear plastic ring. So more than likely these just have a sticky layer of soad over the plastic.

But, if that doesn't remedy the cupholder ring, I'll replace the cupholder ring which is one piece and surprisingly less than I was expecting.

I'm sure that using a moistened paper towel or cloth should remove any residue left by the soda. Hopefully, that's all that needs to be done.
I hope you have a speedy and full recovery. Back issues are no fun.

Peter

 

[Toddman41]

I got it all squared away and working like normal again. The front plastic ring for the front cupholder had a layer of dried stickey soda on it. I washed it off with warm water and soap.

Then upon opening the 2 small plastic housings that house the RGB board with a micro rgb smd led chip to the bottome of the cupholder area. I found the one that lights up the front to also be covered partially in dried stickey soda residue. I thought it was gonna be unrepairable due to the soda protrusion.

Thankfully I got it working like new again full brightness vs 25% prior, by cleaning the chip board with some isopropyl alcohol and a Q-tip.

While I had the cupholder/gearshift cover off. I also found there is a small led light for the console on my Explorer, it slides into a clear plastic tab covering a opening in the front of my console.. Same led light used for the front cubby area, only a separate bulb. Somehow the clip on the plastic lens the bulb slides over to stay in place on mine had one tab broke off.

I fixed the console light by re-attaching it with a very small zip tie. I should of used my hot glue gun, but there is very minimal space in that area. Really didn't want to butn my fingers. So I will see how long the zip tie method holds up.

As those aqua blue LEDs are not very bright in the front cubby, nor the console. I posted pics of each led chip board after cleaning each and then the are in the center console where I fixed the led light clip (and now will have some light in there at night) as well as the now full brightness cupholder ring lights. I was just happy that I didn't have to replace that entire harness for one cupholder ambient light led. As there are multiple LEDs and wires on it, not just as simple as replacing say a rgb led chip.

As always there was a good video on YouTube to remove the gearshifter cover/cupholder area piece. I used this video for help getting the cupholder cover out.

 

[MM07]

I guess I have some work to do. I didn't know there was one in the console behind the cup holders.

I saw it with my phone. It didn't come on at all.

The one in the front console didn't come on either.

I guess I need to check in the dark later.

Thanks for the tips Todd.

 

[Toddman41]

I guess I have some work to do. I didn't know there was one in the console behind the cup holders.

I saw it with my phone. It didn't come on at all.

The one in the front console didn't come on either.

I guess I need to check in the dark later.

Thanks for the tips Todd.

Don't thank me so soon, it was a PITA to get the shifter boot separate from the cupho!der/gearshift cover. I definitely recommend watching that video I linked to. Yeah both are just small LEDs that light up Aqua Blue, like out dash lights. They slide into the end of a clear plastic cover outside of both the front cubby and front consoles.

My cubby light was always working, where I noticed I didn't have any light in the console. It was when I was removing the cupholder piece, that I saw the console light was just randomly laying loose. I noticed how the front cubby light connected, and saw both were the same exact lights that connect to the clear cover in the exact same way.

Also it's not some super bright light, but a Subtle light Aqua blue light like in the cubby area. It really needs to be a brighter light for both.

 

[MM07]

Just got done watching that video.

I'll go check in a few when it gets dark.

 

[Toddman41]

Just got done watching that video.

I'll go check in a few when it gets dark.

I would suggest daytime so you can see what your doing the best.

 

[MM07]

I meant when I double check if both of those lights are working.

 

[Toddman41]

I meant when I double check if both of those lights are working.

Ok, gotcha

 

[MM07]

Mine are good.

I knew I had one in the front, but not in the console (which is very dim, I agree).

My ambient lights were off for some reason and I didn't notice. They do that from time to time.

 

[Toddman41]

I also noticed when unplugging the front cubby slot Sync single usb insert to the left of the 12v input. There 2 mini USB cables going to it as well as another long flat connector above.

My question is are both of those usb connections being used? Or will this allow me to buy a dual USB input Sync module for my explorer, as it only has one from the factory, the 2nd usb input is in the console.

 

[MM07]

Not sure what the other slot is for, maybe just extra?

One wire from the front feeds the USB in the console, the other feeds the cubby USB. And those USB's connect to the radio. I don't use that one because that front cubby is just too small for my phone to fit comfortably. I just leave my phone in the console.

I have seen on the F150 forums where people have changed that front USB port out. You might be able to do a double or even a USB-C. I just don't know if there would be enough power.

If you need just USB ports for charging you could get one of those USB 12v plug in things?

 

[Toddman41]

Not sure what the other slot is for, maybe just extra?

One wire from the front feeds the USB in the console, the other feeds the cubby USB. Ans those USB connect to the radio. I don't use that one because that front cubby is just too small for my phone to fit comfortably. I just leave my phone in the console.

I have seen on the F150 forums where people have changed that front USB port out. You might be able to do a double or even a USB-C. I just don't know if there would be enough power.

If you need just USB ports for charging you could get one of those USB 12v plug in things?

I use a proclip phone holder for my S22 U. I was hoping I could add a dual USB A in like on say Amazon so I could incorporate both my Motorola AA MA1 dongle and micro USB thumb drive into the cubby.

Vs the Motorola dongle in the cubby and thumb drive for music in the console.

 

[MM07]

Could try this..

Amazon product ASIN B07PGT7LSR