Clock light is out, is it serviceable?

[mike2004tct]

My daughter's '96 Sunfire's clock on the radio light is out. Clock still works, just can't set it (or the radio station freq.). It's the factory AM/FM/CASSETTE unit with the theftlock setup (it's unlocked).

Anyone ever take one of these units apart?

[muff34]

I`ve had my my Silverado stereo apart just waiting on bulbs. Some say it can`t be done but others say it can,so we`ll see. worst case scenario is have to buy a new stereo. check at a scrap yard if don`t want to go that route. do a search in Silverado forum "stereo lighting "

[mike2004tct]

Took it apart today, and there is a bulb in there. Had to remove the head unit, then snap the face plate off,took the tuner unit off the front and mangled the bulb out (it was welded on from age.) It was almost a flush mount twist in bulb, only stuck 1/4" above the circuit board.

I have a radio from my '97 Blazer laying around, but that has an enclosed LED display unit with the backlight built in- no luck there.

Went down to Napa and got a replacement twist-in unit that was too tall( the base is about 3/4" tall-interfering with the case as you slide the tuner back in), so I had to notch a piece of the case out so the bulb would fit inside the case. The bulb is close to the front, I notched a piece 1 x 1". It works OK.


Backyard specialty service.

[muff34]

wish mine was that simple.....LOL 10 mini bulbs ,solder ,sounds like fun when the bulbs get hear

[richtazz]

It's a special bulb that is soldered to the PCB behind the display. They are available, but hard to find. You can take the old bulb out and go to Radio Shack, or another place that sells electronics repair parts, and see if you can find a match. I have a GM authorized radio/cluster place in town, but they won't give you the bulb part number. It cost me $5 from them.

[muff34]

I`m getting #8098 bulb from jaytronics.com as suggested by Blue Bowtie. $1.22 a bulb. .2000 silverado. check the silverado post stereo lighting picture of bulb there.
muff

[mike2004tct]

Originally Posted by richtazz

It cost me $5 from them.

Robbery, I say.
I spent $2.50 for a non fitting unit from Napa that I modified the case so it would fit. The amazing thing is, that $2.50 Napa bulb is identical to a $1.09 Napa bulb I use in my 4 wheel drive indicator on my '97 Blazer. Go figure.

Next time I'll use the $1.09 unit.

BTW, my '97 radio also has the soldered in bulbs. I'm sure Radio shack will sell them for less than $1.00 (5Volt units I'd guess)