Bose Radio bulb replacement-1999 Nissan Pathfinder

[Crockett]

I wanted to offer these pictures and brief procedure for replacing burnt out bulbs in your Nissan Pathfinder radio. I have a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder with the Bose system, however the bulbs required for my system may likely fit similar radios and years. These bulbs light the pre-set buttons, ON-OFF button, CD, Tape, Seek & Find buttons, etc. My system required six (6) leaded bulbs.

The bulb that I used can be found here, ten (10) to a pack: http://www.replacementlightbulbs.com/lamp7219.html

1. I first removed the bezel and radio. I will have to assume everyone has taken the bezel off surrounding the radio. There are two screws at the very bottom of the bezel. The key needs to be turned to ACC and the shifter placed in LOW 1 in order to pull the bezel out and the radio as well. Unplug antennae and connectors on the back of the radio.

2. The front bezel/plate/PC Board on the radio can be removed as a unit. There are no screws to remove. You must use a small slotted screwdriver to push in the tabs surrounding the unit. Work your way around the unit, pushing in the tabs as you go while gently pulling the bezel away from the main unit. http://s1042.photobucket.com/user/jmode ... k.jpg.html

http://s1042.photobucket.com/user/jmode ... k.jpg.html

3. Once the bezel is removed you will notice several Phillips Head screws holding the board in place. Remove these screws and set aside.

4. Once the screws are removed, remove the Radio ON/OFF button so the PC Board can be pulled away from the bezel.

5. The BC Board is held in place by tabs that fit into the bezel. Use a slotted screwdriver in between the PC Board and bezel to release the tabs.

6. Once the PC Board is removed you will notice six (6) bulbs covered in a blue, rubber material ( I have already removed one of the blue bulbs)
Mark on the back of the board with a Sharpe where the leads come through the PC Board in order to know which leads are associated with these bulbs. http://s1042.photobucket.com/user/jmode ... h.jpg.html

http://s1042.photobucket.com/user/jmode ... t.jpg.html

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7. I use a Weller soldering iron (see pictures) with a blunt tip. Using the soldering tip and a pair of tweezers I heat the lead and at the same time straighten the lead into an upright position, or straight up, so the bulb can be pulled straight out. Heat each lead, one at a time, and straighten them out. http://s1042.photobucket.com/user/jmode ... k.jpg.html

8. You will need Solder Wick to remove the solder around the bulb leads, which will allow you to pull the bulb through and free of the PC Board. http://s1042.photobucket.com/user/jmode ... v.jpg.html

9. Once the bulbs are removed, remove the blue rubber cover and pull the bulb out of its black holder. Keep this holder and put the leads of the new bulb through the holder like the old bulbs were found.http://s1042.photobucket.com/user/jmode ... c.jpg.html

10. Put the leads of the new bulb thought the PC Board. Turn the PC Board over and gently pull the leads straight out, then splay them to the left and right flat on the board.http://s1042.photobucket.com/user/jmode ... p.jpg.html

11. Solder the leads one at a time being careful not to apply too much heat. Once soldered, snip off the excess lead. Clean areas around leads with alcohol as well as fingerprints from bulbs.http://s1042.photobucket.com/user/jmode ... d.jpg.html

[atraudes]

That's awesome, thanks for the writeup!

[Crockett]

Thanks! The new bulbs work great and really light up the radio functions. I would like to go so far as to replace these bulbs with LEDs. However, LEDs are polarized so it will be a little more difficult to determine the polarity without soldering them in, installing the radio, then turning it on to see which bulbs work. You can determine the polarity of an LED, surface mount or leaded, by finding which side is the Anode and which side is the Cathode. This can be found on the associated data sheet if one is available. However, again, if you don't know the circuitry of the PC Board you won't know which directions the LEDs go.