New Member, Older Truck

[NC_John]

Greetings y'all. I just picked up an '02 SLE for my work truck/daily driver. 175K miles when I got it but its mostly highway and very clean. 2WD with the 4.8L. I've got a punch list of items to fix on it. Nothing urgent, mostly just little annoying stuff that the previous owner let go.

Today's question is about the backlights in the HVAC controls. My lights aren't working which is annoying at night. The factory lists the lights as non-serviceable. The replacement control (PN 15054698) lists around $186 which a high price to pay to get working lights.

I pulled it out and opened it up when I installed a new deck the other weekend hoping to just change some bulbs and found out its not a real serviceable part. Mostly a circuit board. I'm scared to take too much of it apart if I break it- its real flimsy (and again, $186 to replace). I think I have a problem in the board- when I give it a good whack two of the three lights will come on. I'm hesitant to get one from a wrecker, why buy a part of the same age that might have the same problem any day?

Has anybody else dealt with this problem? Have I got an easy fix here or not?

thanks....

 

[E4L]

I got a 03 the driver side works on mine but the passenger is out I would like to fix mine so I'll just sit back and wait to hear how it's done. Good question.

 

[Bedore]

You can solder on new bulbs. I did this to mine for the blend/recirculate/ac buttons. I found the bulbs at Radio Shack.

 

[beav626]

ive seen people put LED's in there and it looks great!

There is a couple of people that do this and it is much cheaper than buying a replacement.

Check out JWMotoring -He offers it for Corvettes.

 

[NC_John]

ive seen people put LED's in there and it looks great!

There is a couple of people that do this and it is much cheaper than buying a replacement.

Check out JWMotoring -He offers it for Corvettes.

I'll check into it. Its just a direct swap? bulb for bulb? No impedance change
problems?

Thanks.....

---------- Post added at 08:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:14 AM ----------

You can solder on new bulbs. I did this to mine for the blend/recirculate/ac buttons. I found the bulbs at Radio Shack.

You got the board apart without breaking it? Is sure looked flimsy...

I'm also surpised you found what you needed at R/S. They ain't what they used to be. I wish I had a fry's electronics around here.

I'll check out the LED option first, replace the regular incandescents with the same as my backup.

Thanks!!

 

[beav626]

I'll check into it. Its just a direct swap? bulb for bulb? No impedance change
problems?

Thanks.....

Im pretty sure the bulbs are different and have to be soldered into place. But having it done in my last truck was less than $100 a couple of years ago.