HVAC removal question - gen 3

[lars949]

All the lights on my hvac/climate control are out except for the little light illuminating the A/C button. I figurned it's probably a bulb or two inside of there. I took out the dash and undid the screws and the screw behind the temp knob, but I could not figure out how to remove the temperature linkage from the rest of the controls.

I've looked around here but haven't found much on on this piece.
Can anyone give some more detailed instructions as to how to remove the controls from the temperature cable?

Once I get that out I assume getting to the LEDs will be fairly straight forward, perhaps with some soldering involved.

And also what kind of bulbs will I need and can I get them at radio shack?

Thanks

[ghettosled]

welcome to the board!

i just did this about a month ago. i too couldnt get the temp control linkage off so i left it attached. the front faceplate comes off enough to reveal the light bulbs, not LEDs. dont forget to take off the plastic knob/tab on the fresh air/recirculation selector. that just pulls off. i cant remember what bulbs it takes off hand, but my local auto store didnt have the same exact bulbs so i got the closest ones i could find. the only problem was there is a green sleeve that slides over the bulbs to give that green color and the bulbs i got were smaller, but they seemed to work. no problems yet.

[ASG14]

There is 3 clips that should be holding the main assembly to the heat control. you can see in the pic. Take a flathead and pry the top ones, and it sould pop right off, and stay in the dash.

[ASG14]

Oh, and for bulbs, LED's won't work well, trust me, I've tried. The bulb you see in my pic can be gotten at misc places, but the other ones witht he holders ARE Toyota only, due to the base on the bulb. Some of the bulbs are $3 at the dealer, others are $10. I forgot which ones are what prices, sorry.

[lars949]

Thanks for the tips guys! I got it off and replaced the bulbs behind there, and they look good! I took off the green "condoms" so it's a nice white light too.

[renmike]

I found a place besides Toyota that you could've gotten the bulb. Talking to a few people I know around here, I probably could have gotten it at an electronics store (Radio Shack prolly has to order it). I ordered it from a place I've dealt with online, it's the exact bulb so the green condom will fit on it. Glad to hear you got something that works for you, though.

[lars949]

I actually just went to auto zone and picked up some 74 bulbs. I could tell they were a little different, but they fit in the sockets.