Instrument Cluster Light??? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

bfg9000d · 12-09-2008, 10:35 PM

I have a 2004 Toyota Camry The backlight on the temp control and the back light on the power of the blower is out also. These are the standard control knobs. But the backlight on the directional air flow is still on. How do I got about fixing this. I read in haynes manual you can pull the assembly out. By poping out the panel with a flat bevel. I do have pictures on doing that. But no info on going about replacing the bulb or what i do. I really need some help guys. Please.

LE05 · 12-09-2008, 10:39 PM

when you get the hvac controls pulled out, you'll see what looks like slotted "screws". those are the bases of the bulbs, usually green or black in color. there should be two, i think. haven't seen the back of my hvac in a while to be sure.

MrSo0h0o · 12-09-2008, 10:39 PM

the bulbs are just twist out. I dont remember the type of bulb but your manual will tell you what type of bulb it is. Most likely the bulb will be available at your local auto parts store

bfg9000d · 12-10-2008, 09:59 AM

ok guys I will let you know how it goes. I may or may not be able to work on it today. Most likely tomorrow. I do allot of night time driving. So it probably figures they would burn out so quick. I havent really done anything to the car that would warrent a short. Other then change the oil on the car. Went to turn the lights on last night and notice it was out. Haynes is real ***ue about that particular area of the car. Thank you for the help.

islandboy57 · 12-23-2008, 03:20 AM

What a coincidence, I found this thread by Googling. The same A/C control lights are out on my Camry. I've seen a few other websites (like Edmunds) where people have mentioned the same two knobs going out. It started a week ago and tapping it will bring the lights back on. They'll stay on without a problem (for days at a time) so I'm curious if some kind of wire is loose. I think it'd be a bit odd for both lights to burn out at the same time - and the fact that they'll stay on for an hour long drive means they still work, they're just not getting power all the time for some reason.

I'll have to get the bezel off and take a look. Hopefully it's something simple - and not expensive either!

islandboy57 · 12-25-2008, 07:23 PM

EDIT: Nevermind, figured out the bulbs had that big blue base to them - I didn't know what they were! One bulb is clearly burnt out and the other you can tell is on its way out. I'm off to Toyota tomorrow to hopefully get replacements at the parts department!

islandboy57 · 01-18-2009, 10:55 AM

Just wanted to post an update. I went to the first Toyota parts department and the guy couldn't find the part number so he said my only option was to purchase the entire A/C panel for $700. No thank you! I went to Checkers and they don't sell the bulb either.. Luckily the guy knew someone at another Toyota parts department and the guy [extremely helpful] he put me in touch with has been trying very hard to get me the bulb.

He said it's on "factory backorder" with no ETA on when it will be back in stock and available for delivery. I'm getting tired of not being able to see the temp knob at night so I'm going to try some 'Neo5' T1.5 LEDs from superbrightleds.com and see if that will do the trick. If it does, great, if not, I'll just wait for the Toyota bulbs.

camries · 01-27-2009, 06:00 AM

I have the same problem with my 05 Camry, any update on this?

Also, can you post the pictures on how to remove the assembly, thank you.

jermyjerm · 01-27-2009, 07:14 AM

beat on it,makes mine come back on.

islandboy57 · 01-27-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camries

I have the same problem with my 05 Camry, any update on this?

Also, can you post the pictures on how to remove the assembly, thank you.

The bulbs actually came in yesterday, good timing because I was just about to order LEDs. He gave me a 10% discount on the bulbs since the wait was so long. The invoice is in my car - I'll try and post a short tutorial. It's fast, but more importantly you need the part number for the bulb. I can't believe how difficult and time consuming it was to get the bulb.

***CharmCityES*** · 01-27-2009, 11:02 PM

i had the bulb for the blendor (airflow dial) burn out, and i had to trek to 3 different dealerships for that damn bulb...most dealers dont stock it, and no aito parts stores have them

my 2003 also has the issues with the blower speed/tempature dial backlights going on and off...i tap it and they come back on...never have ben able to figure out what the issue with it is
islandboy, did replacing the bulbs help anything? im sick of the lights going on and off

MrSo0h0o · 01-27-2009, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorCamrySE

i had the bulb for the blendor (airflow dial) burn out, and i had to trek to 3 different dealerships for that damn bulb...most dealers dont stock it, and no aito parts stores have them

my 2003 also has the issues with the blower speed/tempature dial backlights going on and off...i tap it and they come back on...never have ben able to figure out what the issue with it is
islandboy, did replacing the bulbs help anything? im sick of the lights going on and off

Corey,

I know you probably already tried this, but have you taken the panel out to make sure the bulbs are sitting tight in the socket? My center HVAC bulb went out and when i took a look at it, it turned out to just be loose..

***CharmCityES*** · 01-27-2009, 11:32 PM

yes sir randy i did check the bulbs and the wires too...everything seems secure
its odd because both go out simultaneously...never one at a time, but always both

ive messed with it several times, and so have a few of my coworkers...it remains one of the great unsolved mysteries at my dealership
i think the damn thing is possessed...sometimes itll work for months at a time, and sometimes every bump i hit turns it on and off

somick · 01-28-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorCamrySE

yes sir randy i did check the bulbs and the wires too...everything seems secure
its odd because both go out simultaneously...never one at a time, but always both

ive messed with it several times, and so have a few of my coworkers...it remains one of the great unsolved mysteries at my dealership
i think the damn thing is possessed...sometimes itll work for months at a time, and sometimes every bump i hit turns it on and off

Must be a bad/lose connector. Good luck finding it...

Sam

islandboy57 · 01-29-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorCamrySE

islandboy, did replacing the bulbs help anything? im sick of the lights going on and off

Yep. Problem solved! Hitting the HVAC panel would get the lights back on for a while but then one bulb was dead for good so I set out for a replacement. Both bulbs were burnt out - the filament looked intact but the lens was brownish.

Considering my mom's gen 3.5 just made 14 years old and all the little bulbs in it work fine [except for the "D" LED which I had to swap out] I thought if after 3.5 years my gen 5.5 had a sporadic HVAC panel backlight, that it might be an electrical problem. Fortunately I guess it was just a crappy bulb from the factory!