Replacing Bulbs

[smalcom]

There are three bulbs out (behind the buttons) in the climate control of my 97 Q45t. Is there any way to replace these bulbs, or do I just have to live with it.

In my 98 Volvo XC70, they had to replace the radio when the bulbs went out ($600) fortunately paid under warranty.

[tfvesquire]

Hi There:

Yes you can replace them. First thing is to download the FSM or you will snap off every clip holding the center dash vents and shifter trim. Once you remove those two parts, you can remove the screws that hold in the center HVAC and radio unit. The hardest part IMO is removing the center dash vents without cracking anything since they are ten years old and brittle.

It's up to you whether you want to completely remove the HVAC and radio and bring it to your workbench, but you can replace the bulbs with the radio still plugged in.

Unplug the two main plugs in the rear of the HVAC unit. There will be five (5) bulbs that light up the HVAC. Use a pair of needle nose pliers and carefully turn the burned out bulbs a 1/2 turn to the left and then pull them straight up. You can lay the HVAC/radio center assembly on the shifter bezel, just make sure you have a thick shirt or rag under the metal bracket edges or you will scratch the hell oiut of your plastic woodgrain pieces.

I do not remember the part number for the replacement bulbs, but I do know they are $5.00 each from the dealer. You can also remove the entire bulb and go to Radio Shack and match up the bulb size and rethread the new bulb (like replacing a burned out Christmas light string) into the bulb mount and put the blue rubber bulb cover back on to keep the lights looking the same.

Remember, some of the bulbs light up several items, so you may have to plug the center assembly back in and test it to make sure you replaced the correct bulbs. Also, make sure theyre is no corrosion on the bulb circuits.

Good luck.

Ted

[smalcom]

Hi There:

Yes you can replace them. First thing is to download the FSM or you will snap off every clip holding the center dash vents and shifter trim. Once you remove those two parts, you can remove the screws that hold in the center HVAC and radio unit. The hardest part IMO is removing the center dash vents without cracking anything since they are ten years old and brittle.

It's up to you whether you want to completely remove the HVAC and radio and bring it to your workbench, but you can replace the bulbs with the radio still plugged in.

Unplug the two main plugs in the rear of the HVAC unit. There will be five (5) bulbs that light up the HVAC. Use a pair of needle nose pliers and carefully turn the burned out bulbs a 1/2 turn to the left and then pull them straight up. You can lay the HVAC/radio center assembly on the shifter bezel, just make sure you have a thick shirt or rag under the metal bracket edges or you will scratch the hell oiut of your plastic woodgrain pieces.

I do not remember the part number for the replacement bulbs, but I do know they are $5.00 each from the dealer. You can also remove the entire bulb and go to Radio Shack and match up the bulb size and rethread the new bulb (like replacing a burned out Christmas light string) into the bulb mount and put the blue rubber bulb cover back on to keep the lights looking the same.

Remember, some of the bulbs light up several items, so you may have to plug the center assembly back in and test it to make sure you replaced the correct bulbs. Also, make sure theyre is no corrosion on the bulb circuits.

Good luck.

Ted

Thanks for the very explicit instructions. Will get to it this week-end.Steve

[smalcom]

Never got to get behind the dash. Had an XM SkyFi3 installed in the car. Lo and behold, all of the lights are now on. Interesting!