Taking apart defrost and A/C bottons (W/ PIC) - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

crxnewbie · 07-25-2005, 09:31 PM

I have an gen 4 camry, and I have managed to change all the interior color except for the defrost and A/C bottons. I have have taking them out of the climate control unit. I was wondering how do I take them apart??? I noticed theres a bulb in side with green condoms in it, but I cant seem to figure out how I can take them apart.

98CamryLE · 07-25-2005, 10:12 PM

I think they just clip on. I remember changing the one on my 98 camry a/c indicator light, and I think the whole button clips off, and then the cover on the button (or maybe the back) comes out. Do yourself a favor, change all the bulbs back there while you have the climate panel out. I think the bulbs are like 2 bucks a piece at the dealer. It's a weird bulb that I think you can only get at the dealer. Just be careful... plastic breaks easily.

If you change them all in one shot, you don't run the risk of having another one burn out 2 days after you reinstall the whole freaking center dash panel.

crxnewbie · 07-25-2005, 10:17 PM

Well here is the photo, as you can see I have taken out the A/C and the defrost cover. And the bulbs are inside of the socket!! I have no clue how I can apart! Please give me insight for those who have done it! I have searched but mostly I found are very general direction like taking them apart, but I want to know where to start first! Thanks!

crxnewbie · 07-26-2005, 02:18 AM

ummmmm I still cant get it apart...

bassthrive · 07-26-2005, 03:40 AM

The bulbs can't be replaced with a colored #74 or whathaveyou. Painting them is my choice. Read on...

I pried the button faces off the cartridges with a small screwdriver. For the bulbs in the button, flip the cartridge over and turn what looks like a plastic screw (actually the bulb socket) with a tiny philips head screwdriver. You may need to use the tiny flathead to pop it all the way out, but once you get it its just a matter of removing the connie and painting the desired color. Sharpie works but it does not last. I suggest nailpolish. "A/C" text is a bulb. "A/C on" indicator is a LED, therefore impossible to paint. Rear defrost is the easiest - both the label and indicator are removable lightbulbs. Recirc button is the hardest since it is all LED.

- Paul

yosh · 07-26-2005, 04:03 AM

The process bassthrive described is the way to remove those bulbs. I replaced them with 3mm LED's.

mystickid · 07-26-2005, 10:25 AM

yosh,

Is that the intelliglow needlekit or a differentt glowguage kit u put on there. it looks nice!

yosh · 07-26-2005, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mystickid

yosh,

Is that the intelliglow needlekit or a differentt glowguage kit u put on there. it looks nice!

Thanks. Yeah that is the needle kit. It was a bitch to put on and I almost screwed it up many times.

mystickid · 08-03-2005, 08:44 AM

Excluding the AC and Rear defrost buttons, What are the bulb sizes for the bulbs backlighting the Climate area in a Gen 4 camry?

BTW, To remove the climate area panels, Do I just remove the same panels I would when installing a head unit??? Thanx