Thread: HVAC unit lights are dodgy

Originally Posted by Metoikos13

.... However, since I can now find them by touch in the dark, I'm not pulling the thing out to fix the problem.

Lawrence

Easy to do tho.

If you follow the RAVE instructions, they make it sound harder than it really is.
So when you say the switches arent' illuminated, do you mean the temp control buttons on each side or the lower control buttons .. or both.
If you see from my photo, the central lower(green arrow) bulb does all the lower buttons, and the temp control lights are individual bulbs.

Like I thought for Julians situation, it's unlikely that all three button bulbs will blow(no reason not too, just less likely) .. so could be a wire on one of the three external connectors, or more likely, the ribbon cable inside.

The head unit comes out easy enough .. maybe first time it'll seem 'hard' if you use the card method as the cards are ~2mm thickness, and the gaps between head unit and console are similar, so the card places a bit of friction on the head unit.
I don't have any, but I reckon that a plastic spatula like the type used to do plaster fixes, where they are very thin at the end would be ideal for removal.
The locking tabs on either side of the head unit are about half the height of the head unit, and are located nearer the top of the head unit. So quite easy to locate blindly.

Originally Posted by AK83

Easy to do tho.

If you follow the RAVE instructions, they make it sound harder than it really is.
So when you say the switches arent' illuminated, do you mean the temp control buttons on each side or the lower control buttons .. or both.
If you see from my photo, the central lower(green arrow) bulb does all the lower buttons, and the temp control lights are individual bulbs.

Like I thought for Julians situation, it's unlikely that all three button bulbs will blow(no reason not too, just less likely) .. so could be a wire on one of the three external connectors, or more likely, the ribbon cable inside.

The head unit comes out easy enough .. maybe first time it'll seem 'hard' if you use the card method as the cards are ~2mm thickness, and the gaps between head unit and console are similar, so the card places a bit of friction on the head unit.
I don't have any, but I reckon that a plastic spatula like the type used to do plaster fixes, where they are very thin at the end would be ideal for removal.
The locking tabs on either side of the head unit are about half the height of the head unit, and are located nearer the top of the head unit. So quite easy to locate blindly.

OK Arthur, you've persuaded me. I'll give it a go next week. It's just the lower buttons. Where do I get the bulbs?

Cheers

Lawrence

Just the lower is one bulb, so most likely it's blown.

I got mine off ebay, ordered both T4.2 types and T4.7s .. not sure which they are .. but.

I have both types, just don't know which is which.. there are no markings.
But because one of my bulb types fits and the other doesn't .. only by a bee's thingy .. I'm guessing they are T4.2 bulbs.

So look for T4.2 bulbs on ebay is my suggestion.

On a drive today, the temp control lights were on. All other lights off. Tap the unit and the temp display screen lights up. tap it again and the switches light up. I guess it is the connectors. Some fun for the weekend.
Contact cleaner on the ribbon connector ok?

Originally Posted by Bohica

.....
Contact cleaner on the ribbon connector ok?

yep.

Also remove the display lights. Could be that the springiness of the contacts in the bulb holder are a tad loose too.
But if all are intermittent, then as you said, more likely the loom connectors and or the ribbon cable.

Originally Posted by AK83

HVAC head unit doesn't require radio out.
I've removed many times without radio head unit out.

I use two credit card type cards(driver license, old Medicare card ... etc) slim sturdy plastic card of some type.

Slot into thin gap either side of temp control buttons.
Push in and jiggle head unit at the same time.
Head unit won't pop out, but as you eventually hit the side spring clips with the cards(whilst you wriggle head unit) it will pop out and just sit proud of the fascia.
Needs to come out straight on as it has 4 locating pins/lugs near each corner.

Could possibly be the plugs as you predict, but I reckon more likely the globes aren't sitting right.

IIRC, globes are 3 x T5 globes and 3 x (either) T4.2 or T4.7 globes for all of them.

I've tried this, Hard to jiggle, nothing to grip. I push the cards in, then at an angle, and I can hear a springing type of noise... The unit does not budge. One of my cards is now missing a corner.
Time for plan 'B'..... What ever plan 'B' is.

Remove the audio head and work down?

I do remember the first time I did it, cards are a bit thick for the gap, but do eventually work.. just perseverance.

I use old cards(license/CC/VideoEzy! )

I was thinking .. maybe a couple of those cheapie plastic scraper/plastering smoother outerer doodads could do a better job of it.

Reason it's a bit hard to jiggle out is that there are 4 locating pin/lug type things at each corner, likely to stop squeaky/rattly vibes. They are a bit sticky, so help the head unit to cling on for dear life.

I'll see if I can get a short vid of how I do it .. can't guarantee I can do it soon tho, but I will try.

I am thinking of making a pair of metal bits to fit, like a spatula knife. 1.5mm or 1mm, what ever is in the workshop.
A video would help. images of the sides where the clips are would be great.