HVAC controls backlighting

[ringe]

Hi, I recently acquired a 98 OBW. I can't remember if my old 94 Legacy had this issue or not, but the HVAC controls are impossible to read at night because the only lighting they have is the little lights below each button for the mode controls, and I don't think the fan or temp controls light up either.

 

Is this normal or do I have a bad hvac control module? Does it have replaceable bulbs?

 

Thanks folks.

[davebugs]

Search around here. Some links to excellent writeups. I just get the 3 Suby bulbs at the dealer rather than going the Radio Shack route.

 

Dave

[Rooster2]

Search around here. Some links to excellent writeups. I just get the 3 Suby bulbs at the dealer rather than going the Radio Shack route.

 

Dave

 

There was a previous write up last year on how to disassemble the dash to gain access to change the bulbs. Pictures were included to make the instructions very clear. Do a search on this forum to find this information. It did not look like a difficult project.

[kudd]

Try this link. And the radio shack bulbs are easy to use. And I didn't use the shims he describes for our '98 Outback. ( I think the whole problem is related to the cup holders being right above the controls)

 

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/legacy_hvac_bulb_replacement-t91.html?t=91

[ringe]

Ah I see where those bulbs are. Shouldn't be too hard.

 

It will be interesting to find out if these were burned out from age or from careless spills, as Kudd mentioned. I know my wife has aleady managed to spill soda in there, making the a/c switch stick a bit .

 

Thx folks!

[davebugs]

I think they just burn out.

 

I don't know if that link has the suggestion to disconnect the cable at the floor rather than the back of the controls - but I highly recommend it.

 

I had the Radio Shack bulbs in hand the first one of these that I did. I couldn't get the rubbers off the burnt bulbs - they seem to get burnt on there. All 3 bulbs at the dealer (I forget 1 big, 2 small - or 2 big, one small) are under 20 bucks.

 

I gave the RS bulbs to another board member. Anymore I just get the dealer bulbs. I seem to do one of these per month.

 

Dave

[ringe]

Do the dealer bulbs come with the condoms?

[davebugs]

Yep. And they have the little plastic base on them so no messing with bulb wires like on the RS bulbs.

 

So I treat myself to dealer bulbs. No rubbers, no bulb wires. Sometimes it's just worth it to me to spend a few extra bucks - and this in one of those cases for me.

 

Dave

[ericem]

Hi, I recently acquired a 98 OBW. I can't remember if my old 94 Legacy had this issue or not, but the HVAC controls are impossible to read at night because the only lighting they have is the little lights below each button for the mode controls, and I don't think the fan or temp controls light up either.

 

Is this normal or do I have a bad hvac control module? Does it have replaceable bulbs?

 

Thanks folks.

 

I have a 93 legacy and 94 legacy and they are both backlit on the letters and the little light. I did have the bulbs in the 93 go bad at one point though.