Topic: Dash lights
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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Can some one tell me how to get at the light bulbs for the heater and air controls ?
|UPDATED|7/23/2014 8:48:02 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
|UPDATED|7/23/2014 8:48:02 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1965
Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
swany 80vette said:
Can some one tell me how to get at the light bulbs for the heater and air controls ?
You mean to replace the bulbs?? You have to get into the center console!!
Lifetime MemberAsh Fork, AZ - USA
Joined: 4/18/2007
Posts: 1058
Vette(s): 1981 Red Interior White exterior
Yep, what Dan said. You'll have to remove one or maybe both(if you can't reach) side panels along the shifter console. Those would be the ones covered in carpet. There may be 1, 2 or 3 screws attaching them to brackets under the shifter console. This will depend on who may have installed them previously. One of the screws might not be accessible unless you remove the seat. Soon you will learn that nothing in interior of these cars can be done without removing a seat or the dash...
Dave C..........My mantra: I can not be bought!! Long and short term leases available.
In the words of Zora Arkus-Duntov "Is your seat belt fastened? Alright, Let's go"
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Lifetime Member #192
swany 80vette said:
Can some one tell me how to get at the light bulbs for the heater and air controls ?
Well technically the illumination for the slider controls for the heat, vent, A/C and blower fan switch come from one little "558" light bulb located above the center vents on the center gauge cluster console. The bulb has like a "lens" in the tip of it that focuses the light onto the heater/AC controls. It's fun trying to wiggle the cluster out to get to that bulb. It likes to catch the edge of the dash pad. Just don't stick a regular 194 build in there. You'll melt the housing the bulb sits in. I know NAPA sells the 558 bulb still.
So there is no bulbs down in the center lower console except for the automatics I believe to light up the shift indicator plate. Manual trans cars such as mine have nothing down there.
TKO500 5 spd.
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975
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Lifetime Member #26
Exactly correct Sarge. My 1980 only has a bulb for shifter lens under the console. Some also had a bulb for the ashtray. Every socket that I have seen for the bulb to shine down On A/C heater control are melted. I have original parts if you need to replace anything sockets,wires etc. be very careful not to crack the dash when removing the gauge gauge cluster.
Mine is a automatic,l so I will remove the console side panels. Thanks for the advice.
swany 80vette said: Mine is a automatic,l so I will remove the console side panels. Thanks for the advice.
Why? I thought you wanted to replace the HVAC illumination bulb.
Mine is an automatic also. I think we are trying to figure out exactly what is the bulb you are trying to replace. if it is the bulb that shines down from above on the heater a/c control panel. Then you don't need to remove the side panels from console. You need to remove the gauge cluster above the radio is where that bulb is located.
If you are trying yo change the bulb the illuminates your shift indicator then you need to remove side panels. But I believe your original question was how to change the bulb for heater a/c control panel. That bulb does not shine from BELOW it shines from ABOVE.
Lifetime MemberAsh Fork, AZ - USA
Joined: 4/18/2007
Posts: 1058
Vette(s): 1981 Red Interior White exterior
Yeppers, I was thinking of the bulb for the shifter indicator sorry about that...I say screw the whole thing and get glow in the dark paint!
Dave C..........My mantra: I can not be bought!! Long and short term leases available.
In the words of Zora Arkus-Duntov "Is your seat belt fastened? Alright, Let's go"
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Lifetime Member #192
Sorry misunderstood
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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