'96 GA Shifter Light(s)

Is there a lightbulb that illuminates from beneath the shifter? It's completely dark, and my son's a new driver and isn't really comfortable with shifting into gear in the dark without being able to see what gear he is in.

He can turn on the dome light, but I'd rather fix this. Is it a bulb, or do I have to replace the whole "box thingy" under the shifter mechanism?

those are LEDs, there is a connector with 3 wires (black, pink and tan) check if the connector is tight if yes, check if you have voltage at pink wire. Pink is 12V black is ground tan is bus wire to dlc connector. If you have 12v with ignition on - replace the white shifter module. (Junk yard)

Usually LED's do not burn out, but it is possible that the LEDs did burn out. As stated by 3100 check the voltages and check and make sure the ground wire is good also.

Hey, let me be more specific. The light(s) that isn't working is the NIGHTTIME light(s). The LEDs underneath the PRNDL dots are lighting up. However, you can't see the letters at night. Is there a way to illuminate the letters?

I don't even know...is there illumination for the shifter (PRNDL) besides the little orange dots next to the letters? Because at night, you can't see what gear you are in.

yes huff thier should be a single 194 bulb which illuminates the shifter position with the headlights on.

yes huff thier should be a single 194 bulb which illuminates the shifter position with the headlights on.

Where is that bulb located? I couldn't find a socket inside the shifter mechanism.

I tore into this last night, and there doesn't seem to be any way to illuminate the PRNDL letters from behind. They seem to be enclosed from beneath by the module. Evidently, that module must have a light inside to illuminate the letters.

Is that correct?

Sorry huff I was certain the 96 had a bulb in there.

Is thier a hole that looks like a socket in the shifter module(the white plastic part) ?

Sorry huff I was certain the 96 had a bulb in there.

Is thier a hole that looks like a socket in the shifter module(the white plastic part) ?

No. Just a couple of little ventilation slots. Otherwise, it's completely enclosed. I'm thinking I would just have to replace the module.

Any idea what those cost?

If you go back and read my first reply to you I said junk yard. This would be special order from dealer. But why not get two from junk yard? One will work for sure, and sometimes they would give you such small parts for free or $5 max. Also just explain to your son that he can count clicks from P to D That is R N and D so on the third click stop. And when he parks just to push the shifter back all the way to the end. How hard is that? After one month he will get used to and will not need a light right? In the worst case he can turn the dome light on for sec.

You might be able to setup some white LEDs under the white module to illuminate the letters so you son can see them. Pull the module and see if there is a lamp that does illuminate the letters.

huff, please post the part number it should start with PAT and then number

it is made in Canada if I can remember, but just give me the part #

I looked on GM partsdirect and it wouldnt show me the part #, but it did say this.
GM parts direct - 4 speed auto 96-98 list $66.13 price you pay $39.18

Probly worth the $40. You might be able to disassemble that and see if any wires are broken inside , might even be a resistor in there thats burnt out.

Xeroinfinity, that is what I am thinking also. If there is not I would do what I suggested above.

Those LEDs usualy dont burn out unless their's been a bad short in the console.

I will need to tear into it again and see if I can find a part number.

The part number on the GM parts website you mentioned was 22608226.

I think you are right. It would probably make sense to replace this for safety's sake.

if you give me the correct part number I will be able to help you, I think your #should start with pat (patent).# 524............ something like that
there is a site just for this part. Company is in Canada and they have all the schematics and parts inside of the module, so if you google your part number you will be able to see if there the module integrates bulb 194 that XI mentioned. .. good luck

Take a look at this post here. http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=951655

He has all the letters lite up green, you might want to ask him how it did that. Maybe you might be able to do that also. :)

I'm sorry it took me so long to reply to this post.

Here are all the numbers and information I could find on the electronic part of the shift mechanism:

Made in Canada
Invotronics Mfg.
US Pat No. 5,245,313

Pontiac 22654028 6050

Also, I was able to do a bit of disassembly, and I found that there are two very small lightbulbs that light up the letters. Evidently, those are burnt out. There are also some LEDs under a cover (I'm not sure they're accessible) that light up the dots beside the letters to show what gear you are in. I'm pretty sure 2-3 of those are also burnt out.

Anyone know where I could purchase the part for less online? I got a quote from a local dealer, and I think it was up around $60-$80 or something.