Instrumentation Illumination Question

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by guruerror

I'll probably hook the disassembled unit up this weekend and get some readings wth my voltmeter. I'm just gonna start replacing all the bulbs with LEDs.

I'll post pics and my results in this thread in case anyone is interested in following.

I think I'm gonna tackle the AC control unit and the instrument cluster first...my speedometer light has been out for months.

I know this is an old post but what did you have to disassemble to replace the bulbs in the ac control unit. Did you take the whole thing apart or do the buttons pop off?

I noticed I?ve got several out recently and haven?t had a moment to look at it.

Thanks bud,

Mark

[guruerror]

I took the whole thing out and apart. I bought some LEDs to replace the bulbs but was having difficulty finding someone to solder them in place; so I just bit the bullet and bought a brand new control unit.

Surprisingly the manufacture date on the new one was from 2010, so I'm hoping they've put better bulbs in this one. Finger crossed.

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by guruerror

I took the whole thing out and apart. I bought some LEDs to replace the bulbs but was having difficulty finding someone to solder them in place; so I just bit the bullet and bought a brand new control unit.

Surprisingly the manufacture date on the new one was from 2010, so I'm hoping they've put better bulbs in this one. Finger crossed.

Is it safe to say that you can?t pop the covers off and replace the bulbs back with normal bulbs?

Thanks,

Mark

[guruerror]

Nope...those little, fragile bulbs are soldered in place.

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by guruerror

Nope...those little, fragile bulbs are soldered in place.

Greaaat... damn GM. Guess I?ll pull the panel out and send it out. There?s a company we use that does all sorts of repair work to instrument panels, speedometers, radios, etc, etc...

Just out of curiousity, how much was your replacement unit?

New or used?

Thanks,

Mark

[guruerror]

I went with a new one...I think it was just under $200. So far, so good, all buttons still lit.

[OrangeCrush]

Thanks bud, I appreciate it. For under 200 bucks, it?s not worth me taking it out and getting it repaired. I?ll have more in it than that repairing it and shipping.... not to mention downtime.


Thanks,

Mark