Today I went into the dash to replace a burnt out bulb for heating and a/c controls on my 97 Outback, and had a little trouble finding the right one. As it turns out, Subaru had problems with these little bulbs burning out all the time and therefore switched to a significantly bigger one. It still fits fine, of course, but it threw they guy at the parts counter for a loop when comparing my original one and the new one. It wasn't until another employee came along and knew of this change in spec. Just thought I would give everyone a heads-up if they run into this.

We have been buying these bulbs from radioshack.. 2 bulbs for 2 dollars and change, and very easy to install.

 

 

nipper

Sid, do you happen to have the part number?? Please!

Sid, do you happen to have the part number?? Please!

 

Sorry, I suppose I should have included the part numbers.

There are two shorter bulbs:

#72351AC061

And one longer bulb:

#72351AC051

Yeah, I noticed that the second time I replaced the bulbs a few years back. The bulb was quite a bit bigger. However, it didn't really last any longer.

 

The last time I replaced the bulbs, I used the RS 7219 bulbs. Since the green condoms wouldn't fit, I didn't bother with them. I have a white light instead of green, but no big deal. Interestingly, the bulbs have stood up twice as long and are still going.

 

I used the same RS bulbs in the dash switches, but was able to use the old green condoms. They have eventually burned out. Someone had theorized in another thread that the condom increases heat in the bulb and leads to the failure. My experience would support that theory.

 

Commuter

Sorry, I suppose I should have included the part numbers.

There are two shorter bulbs:

#72351AC061

And one longer bulb:

#72351AC051

 

Can anyone who has used these larger bulbs comment on output? Are/were your panel lights noticably brighter?

Can anyone who has used these larger bulbs comment on output? Are/were your panel lights noticably brighter?

 

No change that I noticed (with the larger OEM bulbs compared to the original smaller ones).

 

Brighter without the green condom (on the RS bulbs), but not by much. Obviously, white light instead of green as a result.

 

Commuter

Does anyone make an LED replacement for these damthings. That would solve it once and for all. So far all our dash ligts are functional, but the console shift indicators lights are all burnt out.

My lights are out (the ones for the A/C panel) How to I change them? Any doc with step by step on how to take the panel out?

 

George.

do a search on climate control, somone mentioned how to use leds to replace the bulbs. There is alsso a step by step procedure for it.....use the search

 

 

nipper

See the thread "Climate Control Backlight". Lots of info and links. It resurfaced recently, I saw it around page 4 I think.

 

Commuter