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I'm told that my 81 doesn't have back lite HVAC controls. I read that there is a little flashlight map light on the center gauge cluster above the gauges that shines down onto the control but I can't find it. Can someone send me a picture or educate me if I'm misinformed? I'm sure it's probably obvious but apparently I'm not that smart. Thanks!!
It probably has the wrong bulb in it, originally it had a bulb with thick glass that would magnify the light. Not sure if they are still available or not, hopefully some one will chime in with more info.
I made the whole a little larger but it is still shows little light on the heat control. Actually it is useless. Will the correct bulb man a significant difference?
I made the whole a little larger but it is still shows little light on the heat control. Actually it is useless. Will the correct bulb man a significant difference?
If you're out in the country in the dark without a lot of indirect lighting coming in, then yes, you should notice a difference. If most of your driving is in city/town with a lot of streetlights around you then most likely not enough that you'll notice.
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
IMO, that bulb is worthless even in the best of conditions. It was a bad design by GM and should have been a back-lit control panel. The 77-82 are the same lighting and they all are pathetic. Try a new bulb and roll with it.
Last edited by Buccaneer; Aug 16, 2018 at 12:41 PM.
Yes, the proper bulb definitely helps. If you disassemble the lantern assembly you'll find a metal piece with a rectangular hole that acts as an aperture. I too enlarged it a bit and the lighting is better. At best it's certainly not nearly as effective as backlighting. It seems a strange design and I'm surprised it was ever used.
Where is map light for A/C Control?
