Climate Control Back Lighting
 

Just finished restoring my dim climate display by resoldering all 8 resistors on my '04! Many thanks and Kudos to all of you who posted how to do the repair. Worked like a charm. Now I need to replace the burnt out back lighting bulbs. 10 of the 14 are now history so I will replace all 14. According to many on the Forum Radio Shack bulb 272-1092 will work, however, my local store has zero in stock. A local electronics supply company has model 8111, 14V, 65mA which according to them is a longer life bulb and that should work just fine. Anyone have any experience with these bulbs? Any imput is appreciated!!

Strictly based on the voltage and current rating for the lamp, they will work.

Gary

This is what tstar recommended in another thread: http://www.mcmaster.com/#1505k414/=10ypi79

I used something similar, and they're very bright--brighter than the stock radio backlights.

All you gotta do is melt the solder on the back of the old bulbs while pushing the bulb to the side; this will release the lead. Clean up the hole with a pin or something. Then stick the leads for the new bulb through and re-solder. Then trim the extra length of the leads to as close to the board as you can.

Another option (less expensive)
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/25-995

I've used these on dozens of back light repairs.

I like to use a soldering iron to remove the existing bulb then the de-soldering iron to clean up the hole. Alternatively you can use a 1/64" drill bit to open up the hole.

Thanks guys!! I replaced the bulbs last Friday with the 8111, 14V 65mA. Found them locally at an electronics supply store. The owner said he could do the replacement of all 14 bulbs for me for $20 and have it done in 30 min. So I opted for that route. The bulbs were $1.27 each. The unit was back in the car and functioning perfectly about an hour later. Brightness of the bulbs sure appear to be a good match in brightness compared the the radio. I'm a happy camper! Thanks again!!

I sent my radio and HVAC to TSTAR and had LEDs installed in both. For some reason the HVAC will dim but the radio will not.