Heater control light
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 556
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From: C3 Forum, Colorado
Heater control light
I would like some help please on how to get better illumination on the heater/AC controls. I have done a search with no luck. I did find that there is a bulb with a magnifier tip but it should not be used as it draws too many amps and will melt the socket. Now I know I read on (I think on this forum) where someone did a modification inside the controller and it worked great and everyone agreed. It had pictures and everything. But I'll be darned if I can find it. So is there a special bulb for the controller or does anyone have a link to the modification I'm talking about. Or is this just the way they all are and it's always been so have a nice day.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
The bulb with the magnifier goes in a later model , it mounts at the top of the dash and shoots down from above to light the controls.
I have a couple bulbs in the shop that are brighter than the standard bulbs , I'll check the number and get back to you.
I have a couple bulbs in the shop that are brighter than the standard bulbs , I'll check the number and get back to you.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 556
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From: C3 Forum, Colorado
Thanks
Thank you very much! I'll be anxious to hear from you. So are these the bulbs you run in your controller and do they make a difference? I'm still interested in others opinions on this too. So please chime in if you have an suggestion. Still interested in that modification also if anyone knows of it. I don't really want to go that route, but apparently it works awesome.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Thank you very much! I'll be anxious to hear from you. So are these the bulbs you run in your controller and do they make a difference? I'm still interested in others opinions on this too. So please chime in if you have an suggestion. Still interested in that modification also if anyone knows of it. I don't really want to go that route, but apparently it works awesome.
I agree with Mike I would start with a good cleaning. But looking at the assembly the illumination is reflective. Maybe after cleaning you could brighten up the inside to improve on the reflectiveness.
It might be an experiment but looks like you might be able to remove the inner plate so the light could go straight through rather than around the plate.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: C3 Forum, Colorado
Thanks Mike, but I've already done that. Completely disassembled and cleaned. It helped some but I think it could be brighter. At least as bright as the other instruments. I've also checked the ground, voltage and a tight fit where the socket snaps into the controller. All checked out okay. Don't get me wrong, the light works and you can read the dial but I do have to lean forward and look at it. (No I don't need glasses either.) 
Looking at it from a driving position forget it. I might as well be texting while driving.
So yes, this is sort of a safety issue.
Looking at it from a driving position forget it. I might as well be texting while driving. So yes, this is sort of a safety issue.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: C3 Forum, Colorado
Thanks for sacrificing some finger prints for the cause Roger. 
This has been done before and gives the dial a spot light like effect or something and doesn't work well. The modification I'm looking for addresses this. Now if I could only find it.
I remember It had something to do with cutting slots in the inner plate.
I remember It had something to do with cutting slots in the inner plate.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Yep just went out and removed the inner plate,that would be VERY annoying. I'l be anxious to see if someone chimes in with the link you need.There must be a way to get more of that light to dial.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: C3 Forum, Colorado
Nope. Unfortunately I don't remember any of that. I'm not even sure it was on this forum. I'm almost positive it was though. I read it about 1 1/2 to 2 years ago I think. If you search this forum with "heater light" it only hits on two or three topics. I would think there would be more threads about this. Maybe that means it's not an issue for anyone else?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Here is a mod by CCrane and the other thread has a brighter bulb being put in the control.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...-brighter.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...atches-ip.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...-brighter.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...atches-ip.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
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From: Peekskill NY
I think this may have been how they all were. Mine is very dull also. Barely illuminates the dials. I didn't even realize there was a bulb there until someone else was discussing this topic. I opened it up and there was the bulb & socket which had fallen out of the socket hole. Stuck it back in all excited and barely made a difference.
Let us know what you do & if it brightened up.
Glenn
Let us know what you do & if it brightened up.
Glenn
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 556
Likes: 13
From: C3 Forum, Colorado
Here is a mod by CCrane and the other thread has a brighter bulb being put in the control.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...-brighter.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...atches-ip.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...-brighter.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...atches-ip.html
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Your welcome. Let us know how it works and some before and after pics might be fun.
I'm going out and see if center is where to drill or if you have to lay the upper plate on and mark the area hidden by the upper plate.
edit- just like CCrane said ,right down the center will hide the holes under the top plate.
I'm going out and see if center is where to drill or if you have to lay the upper plate on and mark the area hidden by the upper plate.
edit- just like CCrane said ,right down the center will hide the holes under the top plate.
Last edited by ...Roger...; Oct 15, 2010 at 02:40 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 556
Likes: 13
From: C3 Forum, Colorado
I think this may have been how they all were. Mine is very dull also. Barely illuminates the dials. I didn't even realize there was a bulb there until someone else was discussing this topic. I opened it up and there was the bulb & socket which had fallen out of the socket hole. Stuck it back in all excited and barely made a difference.
Let us know what you do & if it brightened up.
Glenn
Let us know what you do & if it brightened up.
Glenn
