Clock Dimming

[alfun]

Sometimes my clock on the dash dims. Other times it'll be working fine (nice and bright). Or sometimes it goes out completely. When it goes out completely the time will be off 10min or sometimes it saves the correct time. What could cause this?

I checked the radio fuse and it is OK. I checked the wiring and connector that plugs into the clock and it is OK. Are the electronics for the clock known to go bad over time?

[GTChink]

Hmm interesting. You might want to pick up a used one from one of the guys on here parting their cars out and see if that's the issue. Could be just the clock is aged.

[KenLayton]

Perhaps bad solder joints on the clock circuit board?

[alfun]

I went to the junkyard and found a new clock. It doesn't go out completely anymore but it still dims sometimes a little bit, but not as much as my old one.

Before I installed it I took them both apart. Both of the lenses have a burnt mark in the upper right hand corner. Also both were deteriorating on the circuit board where you push the buttons to adjust the time. I guess this is a common thing for the clocks when they get old?

Also the bulb for the HVAC control seem to burn out too.

[iToaster]

HVAC controls are illuminated by a single #74 bulb behind the clear diffuser. I would imagine the burn marks are common as, come to think of it, both of my Corolla clocks have had the burn marks on them when taken apart.