HVAC - burnt out lights

[KKLumina]

OK...

I know this thread has been done before, but I will start a new one anyway. I've got a "1990.5" Lumina (the car is a '90 that had a 2.5 but I swapped it for a 3.1 from a '91 right before Christmas). Anyway enough history...

It appears there are 6 lights inside the control panel that light up at night when the dash lights are on. I know, after reading the forums that they are a PITA to replace because they are soldered in place. And I also know that some people have replaced with LED's. With all my education from the forums too, I've found out that the recommended way to fix is to buy new (lotsa $$$) or find one at a junkyard...

Well, I've got 2 spare units and have both apart. Between the 12 bulbs, only 1 works! ONLY 1! So, I can't even make 1 good one out of the 2 spare ones I have. If I de-solder the lights from the control board, does anyone know of a part number I can use at Radio Shack to get 6 new bulbs? Also, if anyone has done this repair, what is the PITA part of the job that sucks so bad? Taking the HVAC boxes apart? If so, that's already done... is it the soldering that's such a pain? If so, I'll just be patient and persistant with it.

It sucks at night only having about 20% of the thing lit up. Actually my car is fine... it's the wife's '93 that has the bad unit. With everything else I replaced on my '90.5 that's one of the few things on my car that works 100%. I suppose I could take her existing one apart and fix that one instead of the two spares and have less bulbs to replace. Fun fun fun... minor annoyance, I know. Thanks for any help provided...

[john51md]

Originally Posted by KKLumina

OK...

I know this thread has been done before, but I will start a new one anyway. I've got a "1990.5" Lumina (the car is a '90 that had a 2.5 but I swapped it for a 3.1 from a '91 right before Christmas). Anyway enough history...

It appears there are 6 lights inside the control panel that light up at night when the dash lights are on. I know, after reading the forums that they are a PITA to replace because they are soldered in place. And I also know that some people have replaced with LED's. With all my education from the forums too, I've found out that the recommended way to fix is to buy new (lotsa $$$) or find one at a junkyard...

Well, I've got 2 spare units and have both apart. Between the 12 bulbs, only 1 works! ONLY 1! So, I can't even make 1 good one out of the 2 spare ones I have. If I de-solder the lights from the control board, does anyone know of a part number I can use at Radio Shack to get 6 new bulbs? Also, if anyone has done this repair, what is the PITA part of the job that sucks so bad? Taking the HVAC boxes apart? If so, that's already done... is it the soldering that's such a pain? If so, I'll just be patient and persistant with it.

It sucks at night only having about 20% of the thing lit up. Actually my car is fine... it's the wife's '93 that has the bad unit. With everything else I replaced on my '90.5 that's one of the few things on my car that works 100%. I suppose I could take her existing one apart and fix that one instead of the two spares and have less bulbs to replace. Fun fun fun... minor annoyance, I know. Thanks for any help provided...

Are you talking about the dash illumination bulbs? if so i havent saw any soldered on my 91, they are easy to get to by removing the dash top, few screws and top lifts right out, replaced a few in mine over time, in twist out sockets

[john51md]

Originally Posted by john51md

Are you talking about the dash illumination bulbs? if so i havent saw any soldered on my 91, they are easy to get to by removing the dash top, few screws and top lifts right out, replaced a few in mine over time, in twist out sockets

OOps, saw you said HVAC... those tiny little bulbs right? some of those are out in mine, to lazy to care tho. I just use the lighted rear view mirror when in question

[KKLumina]

OK... going to Radio Shack tonight...

Has anyone done this repair? There's one light on the top under the temo. slider, 3 across the middle, and 2 at the bottom. I just need to know what kind of bulbs to buy - if any little bulb will work or not. I am going to bring the circuit board to Radio Shack just in case. Thanks...

KK