How To Replace AC Panel Lights

01FIERA · May 23, 2008

Hey Corolla Enthusiast

I have read a couple of threads here where a lot of you guys were debating changing the AC Panel Lights. Well I did mines since one bulb burned out and took Pictures to share with the rest of you. All the tools you need are a Flat head screwdriver and a Philips head Screwdriver. Also The replacement Bulbs and Color Gels for color change.

This is a Pic of the panel. Plain and simple!! 2001 Corolla Same panel from 1998 to 2002 no change in it.

Step 1 Remove the Radio Panel.

It will have Electrical Harnesses for the Hazards, Clock, and Defrost (1998-200)

Step 2 Remove The radio. It is bolted with 4 screws. Remove them after this pull the radio out.

These are the screws holding the radio in place.

Place radio on top of dash. If you want you can disconnect all electrical harnesses to the radio and place it on the passenger seat. Its up to you.

By taking out the ashtray you can Remove the bottom Bezel With your hand. If it does not come out. Use a flat head and pry it out.

http://s298.photobucket.com/albums/mm259/trijet727/?action=view&current=d8-1.jpg

once out, There are 2 screws holding in the AC panel. Remove them. Gently pull out the ac panel slightly out don’t pull it out all the way.

Here is the left side bulb holder showing its harness. Twist and remove. If you have big hands (like me lol) A pair of needle Nose pliers helps a lot!

here are the bulbs. Remove from socket and use replacement bulb.

This is the Toyota part no for the replacement. Bulb 74 does not work. Tried it. Bulb 194 also does not work tried it as well. This is the only one that will fit. According to the Toyota parts clerk. They had one left in stock!!! Guess who bought it?

test before putting the assembly back together.

installation is the reverse of disassembly.

This is for all of you who have Corolla S Models and HATE the green ac panel lights and red dash that don’t match at all. This applies to all models too so If you want the color changed..

available at pep boys

put the condom on the willy!

test and replace!!

Guys I’m not a mechanic!! Sorry if I misnamed a few parts in this post However hope this helps out all who want to change their dash bulbs, I did it with the car on and AC Blasting While listening to music. It is not recommended as you will be working with electrical parts.

Let me know What you guys think. Hope it gelps our anyone trying to do this easy project.

Tourigjm · May 23, 2008

74's fit. There are 2 kinds of 74 bulbs. A short fat one and a long skinny one. I thunk the fat one is a 74U. The normal skinny 74 bulb fits fine.

01FIERA · May 23, 2008

Thanks for the input. Another good mod for the interior would be making the Clock glow red instead of greem. Has anyone tried Painting it with a very light paint. Or maybe a red film in front of it would work.

gaj1967 · May 23, 2008

This is where I got the bulb numbers mixed up. I installed 74's and the condoms were too loose so I used a little glue to hold them on.

According to Vamps bulb change (http://vamp.darkravers.net/cpg/thumbnails.php?album=98) he says the bulbs are #2721. He also reaches the sockets by just removing the radio. Something I haven't tried yet.

What I'd really like to do is replace the LED's in the A/C controls but I'm not going to try that unless I need to pull out the controls for some strange reason.

Gil

phil_99rolla · May 24, 2008

where did you get the carbon fiber dash?

01FIERA · May 24, 2008

The carbon fiber (fake carbon fiber) Dash came with the car when i bought it. I have seen several kits on ebay for them.

phil_99rolla · Jun 7, 2008

ehh. i dont have much luck with e-bay. lost allot of money to it. lol. if you ever decide to sell. pm me. lol

azary1010 · Aug 20, 2009

Awesome! Just replaced my ac bulbs. Seems like a lot of work for such a small light but worth it.

01FIERA, how did you get your speedometer gauge to be red? It looks cool.

hokie_sti · Aug 20, 2009

All I had to do was remove the radio. I don't think you need to remove the ash tray or pop out the AC controls. You can still disconnect the bulbs easily with the unit still in place.

Crowbar911 · Aug 20, 2009

On a side note, Is anybody else having trouble with vamps site?

Ive been looking for the DIY for these bulbs, but i cant access his site form a few different computers.

btw, anybody know a sharp white light like on the 9th gens dash? Im trying to get that color bulb, but dont know what to choose.

Bdub215 · Aug 21, 2009

Crowbar911 said:
On a side note, Is anybody else having trouble with vamps site?

Ive been looking for the DIY for these bulbs, but i cant access his site form a few different computers.

btw, anybody know a sharp white light like on the 9th gens dash? Im trying to get that color bulb, but dont know what to choose.

yep his site is down. to the OP, we have a FAQ for a reason. this should go in there

-BW

MistuhVinhie · Oct 3, 2009

brought the brand sylvania #74 bulb which called ashtray at autozone it didn't work out at all the light was not turning on and it felt hard to put it in while the orginial was easier to push in any help? someone said there was two diffrent #74 i don't see it at autozone the only one they got was the ash tray....

MistuhVinhie · Oct 3, 2009

one more thing i pull out the ashtray but i can't seem to manage to pull out the whole trim around the ac unit? any idea? i try to pry it out but it was still hard and if i force it! then it will break

dah61789 · Nov 12, 2009

Found this site looking for information on how to change the light bulb for the heater controls. The pictures and instructions here made it easy, it only took about 15 minutes to do the job! I didn't need to pull the heater control, ash tray or its trim off, only had to pull the radio trim and radio. I had no problem reaching in there with my fingers and turning the bulb socket and removing the bulb.

I bought a replacement bulb from the local Toyota dealer. Cost was $7.50 which I thought was way too expensive but probably worth it considering the possibility of multiple trips to the local auto parts store to get the right bulb.

Thanks for the help, Don

hokie_sti · Nov 12, 2009

2nd this. As I said above all I had to do was remove the radio and radio trim. No need to pull out the AC/Heater controls.

breadbin · Mar 5, 2011

thanks man

i don't need to replace the bulb but it might come in handy for taking the centre console off to get to the radio

riceroni · Feb 18, 2014

Mixed feelings on that dash board, anyone havean smd count they recoomend for converting these to smds? i currently looking at t5 smd1 red color but if yall know anything i dont share please

and how about reaching the other lights on the hvac, like the knobs?

How To Replace AC Panel Lights

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