Hello! This is my first virgin post (I have chimed in a few times on other peoples'). I must say the experience level on this board is amazing and I really appreciate the help everyone gives.

 

Here's the thing: The light behind the AC buttons (not the actual air conditioner push button - the others that choose the vent paths, front defroster, etc.) and the gauge where you set hot/cold air, has been dead for a while, and I'd like to get in there and replace it. I've been told for a shop to do it it'll run upwards of $100 (for a bulb that's probably $2.) probably for the labor.

 

Before I get the dash apart, anyone know what bulb it is so I can pick it up beforehand? Are there several? Is there a site I can use to look it up myself?

 

Thanks in advance!

Hello! This is my first virgin post (I have chimed in a few times on other peoples'). I must say the experience level on this board is amazing and I really appreciate the help everyone gives.

 

Here's the thing: The light behind the AC buttons (not the actual air conditioner push button - the others that choose the vent paths, front defroster, etc.) and the gauge where you set hot/cold air, has been dead for a while, and I'd like to get in there and replace it. I've been told for a shop to do it it'll run upwards of $100 (for a bulb that's probably $2.) probably for the labor.

 

Before I get the dash apart, anyone know what bulb it is so I can pick it up beforehand? Are there several? Is there a site I can use to look it up myself?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

If you are going to do this yourself, there are several great posts already here showing "how to". Many of us have gone to Radio Shack and purchased a couple of packages of their cat # 7219 "micro lamps" (2 per package) to replace burned out mode control and other dash switch back-lighting bulbs. For the less "adventurous" among us, Subaru does sell the bulb and socket assemblies for the three lamps in the A/C mode control panel. I believe one of the other posts shows those Subaru part numbers.......

Are you a "do-it-yourself" kind of person (because this job isn't too difficult and there are other posts that give great detail on how it's done) or would you prefer that it be done by a shop?

 

Oh no, I'd much rather do it myself. I don't have a ton of experience, but I have changed things like the stereo, alternator, starter, headlight, etc. with little problem.

http://scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91

 

The above link is a step by step how-to with pictures and Subaru part numbers for the bulbs.

 

I suffered for a couple years without the lights in the A/C panel, just poking away at dark buttons, and this only took about 1/2 hour to fix.

 

I did not use the subaru bulbs, i used mini-bulbs that I bought from mouser electronics. I would recommend the OEM for a factory-fresh experience. The bulbs have a green cover that you can try to remove and place on new bulbs, but I tore the covers on mine, so the color of the lights in the a/c area does not match the rest of the dash lighting, but I don't care.

 

Matt

Oh no, I'd much rather do it myself. I don't have a ton of experience, but I have changed things like the stereo, alternator, starter, headlight, etc. with little problem.

 

If you haven't already found it, here's a link that shows the most helpful information:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/sh...php?threadid=91

I just replaced the bulbs in my heater/ac unit, (96 OBW) the directions on the link worked great. I would definitely buy just the bulbs, it is not too hard to figure out how to replace them, be careful taking off the green lens off the bulb, I messed up the first one, worked fine on the other two.

 

I found the bulbs at a local electronics supply house, they are actually rated at slightly less voltage than the originals, should work fine and last longer.

Thanks everyone! More than enough to get me going. I really appreciate it!