Climate Control Light Burned

[papanots]

I have a 2002 Impala LS and yesterday I noticed that the light behind the rear defrost button has burned out. I searched everywhere to find out how I go about changing this light. I fear the worst as it may require the whole dash coming off - all for a small light to be changed. Any help is appreciated.

[thermal izod]

ur gonna have to take the dash cover off....i just did that for some indiglo gauges...it's not that hard, the job is diplayed on impalahq.com...it's actually only about 8 screws, mostly fasteners. once u get that off, u can get into the AC controls really easily.

[papanots]

Thanks for the info Thermal. Much appreciated! How do you like the indiglo by the way?

[thermal izod]

it's awesome...but i didn't know that i'd have to disabale the stock dash bulbs, to eliminate the white glow around the needle base, or the blinker color, so that's next on my list...otherwise, it looks awesome...not too over-the-top, of course, but classy/performance, i'm happy w/ it...

[papanots]

Update to this. Took off the dash (very easy). After disconnecting the climate control itself I noticed that the lights that shine through are acutally little bulbs that are soldered on the module's printed circuit - no easy pull/twist socket bulbs. What a joke. Looks like I will have to change up the whole unit unless anyone can shed some new light on this (sorry, I couldn't resist the pun!).

[thermal izod]

wouldn't u be able to solder the old ones off and new ones on? I shoulda figured that b/c the dash display is the same way...

[papanots]

I thought of it. But what stopped me was the fact that right behind the position control knob (defrost, feet, mix etc), there are two springs that are held in place from the pressure of the front panel and the printed circuit. You know, the kind of set up that's easy to take apart but practically impossible to put back together?...

I'll take another look at it after my vacation next week and see what happens.

[thermal izod]

i know what u mean...u might just have to suck it up, pull it out and spend the time on the reassembly of the button...