2002 Camery Dash Light Bulbs

I have a 2002 Camery LE and the back light for the environmental controls blew. I went to the dealership and was told that to replace the bulb I would have to buy the whole controls unit, about $200!! Does anyone know where I can get a replacment bulb or is it time to go hunting thru junk yards?

fuzzybear,

That doesn't sound right to me. I would try another dealership. A phone call might me all that's needed to get the correct information from another dealership (they might even tell you the generic number for the bulb you need and you could get it at the local auto parts store) or call Toyota corporate in California at 800-331-4331 and talk to customer service.

Mike

The controls are lit up by LEDs when can be replaced by yourself, although you have to have a little working knowledge of electronics in order to do this. You can find replacement LEDs just about anywhere. They say that the controls should just be replaced because it's the easier, more profitable way out of it. But really all you'll have to do is take the panel apart, take a pair a pliers out and literally crush the LED off the board, take a soldering iron and remove the pins attached to it, and place the new ones in the same place on the board, and solder them back into place. It's rather simple, just depending on how much time you have to waste on something like that, or whether you don't want to fool with it and have them replace it for you for an astronomical rate.

I had the unit out and it is just a little twist out bulb with a blue plastic back that has a slot in it for a screwdriver. Once it is out the bulb itself looks similar to a Maglight bulb with the backing. I'm wondering if I should take the bulb to some different dealerships, not Toyota dealers, and see if they can supply it?

You could try to take the bulb to any auto parts retailer in your area and see if they have one that matches it. If that don't work then you could try to go to different repair shops and dealers and see what they have to say about it. I think it's crazy that they told you the whole unit would need to be replaced. I think they're just giving you the run around, trying to get you to pay more than you need to for the "unessessary repairs" they always intend to do. Be smart, shop around before believeing them. Post back, keep us updated.

fuzzybear,

Try to see if the bulb itself just pulls straight out of the plastic part. If it does, then it's just a standard 074 bulb you can pick up at any auto parts store or even a Walmart. Walmart sells them in pairs for about $3.

If that doesn't work (the bulb can not be pulled straight out of it's plastic retainer), now that you have it out, you can take it back to your local Toyota dealer and show it to them and ask them to check their inventory for this plastic and bulb combo.

Mike

I have a 2002 Camery LE and the back light for the environmental controls blew. I went to the dealership and was told that to replace the bulb I would have to buy the whole controls unit, about $200!! Does anyone know where I can get a replacment bulb or is it time to go hunting thru junk yards?

I have a 2002 Camry SE and the same environmental controls blew. I found that hitting the dash at the controls makes the light come back on and it has worked for me for about 6months.