Overhead console switch bulb

[Christophe Salvain]

Hi

Do you know anything about this bulb ? : http://kitesurfer.free.fr/16120946.gif

This bulb is inside the overhead console switches (power door, rear power windows etc etc )

Local GM dealer dont provide it and I dont found any reference or web site. Any advice welcome.

Christophe Salvaing

[Barberryn]

Don't let the black plastic base fool you. While I haven't identified the bulb yet, it is sold seperate from the base. If you look at it closely you can see that the fine wire tails can be unwound from the base and the bulb actually pulled free from the base, simillar to some styles of Christmas tree light string bulbs.

If you are going to try this, carfully note the orentation and direction of the "winding" in relation to the lock device that holds the base into the switch body, so you can reassemble it correctly and get the wires to touch down on the switches curcuit.

The bulb is obviously 12 Volt but the wattage is still unknown. I am sure they can be found at any local industrial electronics store. You might have to buy twenty at a time but at least you get them.

If I get a part number and/or supplier info I will post again here.

[Christophe Salvain]

Originally Posted by Barberryn

Don't let the black plastic base fool you. While I haven't identified the bulb yet, it is sold seperate from the base. ..[SNIP]...
If I get a part number and/or supplier info I will post again here.

Ok thank you.
I found out the #16120946 bulb here : http://198.208.187.182/internet/Vehi...e=18&part=2832

But after email to 3 GM dealer, the bulb seems not available

Any help is welcome.

Thank you.

Christophe SALVAING

[jeq]

Originally Posted by Christophe Salvain

Ok thank you.
I found out the #16120946 bulb here :<nonworking address deleted>

But after email to 3 GM dealer, the bulb seems not available

Any help is welcome.

Thank you.

Christophe SALVAING

In the Better Late Than Never department:

I found it. The plastic-based bulb is patented to GM, and is called
a Neo-Wedge lamp. LED replacements are available at:
http://superlumination.com/74.htm

In the case of my 2003 Venture, it is style "B" - 10mm base -
and I suspect all Venture overhead clusters would use the same size.
I'm placing my order for three of them now...

Pity, though. The patent claims state that these bulbs are easier to
replace. So why'd GM design this switch cluster so that you have
to disassemble it completely to give the bulb the requisite 10-degree
twist to replace it? Oy!

jeq

[jeq]

Originally Posted by jeq

In the Better Late Than Never department:

I found it. The plastic-based bulb is patented to GM, and is called
a Neo-Wedge lamp. LED replacements are available at:
http://superlumination.com/74.htm

In the case of my 2003 Venture, it is style "B" - 10mm base -
and I suspect all Venture overhead clusters would use the same size.
I'm placing my order for three of them now...

Pity, though. The patent claims state that these bulbs are easier to
replace. So why'd GM design this switch cluster so that you have
to disassemble it completely to give the bulb the requisite 10-degree
twist to replace it? Oy!

jeq

The LEDs arrived today. I don't know why I was convinced we had amber
interior lighting. I ordered the regular-power amber LEDs from autolumination.
I should have ordered the white high-power LEDs.

The switches are now all lit, but dimly. Still, they work.

Thing to remember with the LED replacements - polarity matters.
If you reassemble the thing, and the LEDs don't light, turn them 180 degrees.
There's no good way to predict. So if you're not willing to take it all apart
the second time, order the incandescent replacements.