2004 Custom bulbs out all over dash

[3echo9]

Just bought a "new to me" 2004 LeSabre.

Just noticed I have lights out all over the dash. The radio, the HVAC controls, steering wheel audio controls, parking light switch...

Is this a poor design by GM? It appears from previous posts that bulbs are used to illuminate these accesories..anyone try to replace the bulbs with LEDs?

Just wondering before I hit Radio Shack up for some bulbs.

[1381ken]

There is a guy on Ebay who will rebuild your dash for about 100.00. You will need to remove the dash and send it to him. It is probably worth doing since fixing the bulbs in the dash is not easy. The steering wheel lights are surface mount bulbs and are not replacable unless you are good at soldering surface mount components. You can replace the whole switch.

[polarzak]

Wouldn't it be prudent to check for a dead fuse?

[3echo9]

It's not a fuse. The bulbs are only out on specific areas. Like preset button 3-4 on the radio. Heat and Vent on the HVAC. The volume control on the stering wheel. Those may not be the exact locations but you get the picture.

My thoughts were to tear out the radio and hvac control and desolder the bulbs and replace with a like bulb but I was wondering if anyone had any success in using an LED.

Seems like these bulbs were prone to burn out prematurely. I have a 99 GP that the only bulbs out are the steering wheel radio controls.

[dondeere]

I have a 2003 LeSabre with same problem. Easy to replace bulbs in steering wheel. Not too worried about dash, radio,doors, etc. (China parts). Everything in my 1997 LeSabre works (USA parts).

[3echo9]

Good to know...thanks, for the reply. Now I just need to find the time.

[pcmos]

Yeah, I'm a dash bulb replacement expert for the '04 lol. I've kept all of mine in full working order over the years. It's a pain in the neck. You have to remove the device that houses the dead bulbs, then figure out how to disasemble that particular device. Once you have the unit apart, you have to gain access to the board that contains the dead bulbs. Then you have to de-solder the bulbs one at a time. After de-soldering you then have to do whatever modifications are necessary to fit the bulbs that are readily available from radioshack / mouser. Then rebuild the component. Then the first time you power up the new bulbs you'll probably blow out bulbs in other components, so you chase those down. Bulbs burn out in other components after replacement because you won't be able to match the current draw of the OE bulbs. Weak bulbs in other devices will be overloaded and fail immediately once you've played with another component. All told, I've tackled the radio, HVAC, heated seat button, and all four steering wheel controls. Right now I've had all the lamps running consistently for about a year and a half. I keep my dimmer control relatively low and I make sure my auto-wipers are turned off when it isn't raining. Leaving the wipers in auto mode needlessly illuminates all the dash bulbs during daytime driving conditions. I can give you some tips if you want to tackle the job. The dealer would tell you that you just have to replace the components. Bulbs are not considered "serviceable" items on this car. You also cannot use LEDs to replace them because the current / voltage requirements will be very different for the LEDs and even the factory service manual doesn't give you enough detail in the single line diagram to re-balance the load using resistors. LED's will also respond poorly to the dimmer control and typically require an active dimmer circuit to match the dimming of incandescent bulbs.

[dpalomaki]

Been there, done that.

Keep in mind that the electrical system typically runs about 14.5 volts when the engine is on, so typical 12 volt bulbs will tend to have a much shorter than specification life.

I used #8111 miniature lamps, they are rated 14 volts and 50,000 hours. Bought in bulk (like 40 or so) and replaced all lamps in each display device I opened. (Easier to replace all once than go back in a year later when othere burn out). LED's might work but need current limiting resistors that take space and you have to get the polarity right.

The existing bulbs are a combination of bin base and wire base, soldered in place, and many also haev a plastic space under them. Most also have a blue filter over the bulb that with care you can remove and install on the new lamp.

You need the skills to do fine soldering work, and a bit of patience. You may need to remove the steering wheel and air bag to get the the lamps there.