HVAC light fix write-up

[kenshinS14sks]

I know most S13s and 14s have a common problem with the ac panel lights going out, along with the defrost button and the hazard button...basically the whole damn middle panel... so i decided to fix mine and thought that it might be helpful to do a write-up for any that might also want to fix it. and for those of you that didn't know (*cough cough* irwin lau) that it was supposed to light up...it is... so that you can see the buttons at night =)

and just like in school, read the instructions before starting...i take no responsibility for mistakes made without paying attention to the aforementioned warnings and such~

First you'll have to take the a/c panel box out.
http://photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0803.jpg Just lift up the shift boot (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0803.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0805.jpg Undo those screws, and take off the lower part consisting of the ash tray and radio border (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0805.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0806.jpg Or if you're like me and have a hole in the panel where my hand is(shown below), you can just reach behind the top panel and pull out, no screws or anything for s14...just pull out (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0806.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0802-2.jpg undo the 4 screws holding the ac control box in place and pull out to find 3 plugs (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0802-2.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0762.jpg there should be two small 'plugs' and one big one, the big one didn't give me too much trouble pulling out, but the small ones did...you can try two things 1) push down the flap and push the plug in and then pull out or 2) using a flathead to push down the flap and twisting will force the plugs outs (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0762.jpg)

Warning this next section will involve pulling out stuff from the box and the buttons and control knob on the face of the box may pop out so be careful not to lose any parts... i thought by scotch taping them i would be smart but i later found that when taking the tape off of the buttons it takes a bit of paint with it...luckily i had an extra ac box to play with from a clip at driftspeed

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0740.jpg there are a total of 3 tabs hodling the control knob cylinder and i think like 4...maaaaaaaaybe 5 tabs holding the circuit board (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0740.jpg)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0741.jpgother side (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0741.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0742.jpg you'll have to take out the control knob cylinder out first before anything, examining the box you'll find 3 tabs holding the cylinder in, unclip the single side first by pushing the tab up and slightly pulling the cylinder out (pulling the cylinder is easier if you insert a flathead into the side and leveraging the whole thing out) so that the clip will get stuck and won't be holding in the cylinder housing in anymore (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0742.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0745.jpg then using two flatheads to lift up one of the two tabs on the otherside, leverage the cylinder out. then the same thing with the second of the two tabs (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0745.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0764.jpg looking inside the box you'll find two screws holding the circuit board in place (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0764.jpg)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0766.jpg flash or no flash...sorry bad pictures (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0766.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0767.jpg second screw holding the circuit board, also that white plug with like 10 gray lines coming out also disconnects i found later after i was done (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0767.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0748.jpg (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0748.jpg) http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0749.jpg after undoing all the screws carefully pivot and pull the panel out...again WARNING the buttons may pop/fly out all over the place so be careful and do not tape them for they may remove black paint off of the surface, also pull with force but carefully...i actually broke my a/c button so make sure your a/c button is in the off position when trying to pull!!! (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0749.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0760.jpg there are 3 white cone shaped tabs holding the two circuit boards together, and with the use of a needle-nose you can undo them allowing you to easily twist off the 3 bulbs that may be burned out or loose (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0760.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0769.jpg the bulbs have a blue nipple cover and the wires can be undone easily by pulling the metal wire off to the side and then using some creativity (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0769.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0770.jpg the neckid bulbs look very matrix go in your belly button thingy like (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0770.jpg)

then go to a electronics store in your area (JK Electronics in westminster if you're in the area is a good place)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0755.jpg i noticed that there was only one wire going to the contact so with my new bulb, the wire was long enough for me to wrap around twice making two contacts per side and then tested...it LIIIIIVES!!! now fix all bulbs screw in, and prepare to put back in box (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0755.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0773.jpg if you've misplaced your buttons like i did, you might be a bit confused on what goes to what...first of all, the buttons consist of two parts that pop on and off of each other...so make sure you have all of them (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0773.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0775.jpg so get them placed in the right place and popped in to the exoskeleton before putting the circuit board and control cylinder back in (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0775.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0777.jpg note: the back part of the a/c button is a bit different from the others (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0777.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0763.jpg also make sure that the illuminators are slid and snapped into the right places (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0763.jpg)

now just snap all the buttons with the circuit board and the tabs in the right places, screw in the 2 screws and put the control cylinder back in and connect all the wires back in and you're set!!




now for those that are wanting to also fix the defrost and hazard buttons.
disconnect the wires off the back and just pivot out of the panel

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0780.jpg each button has a tab or two on each side (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0780.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0781.jpg just stick a flat head in between the exo and inner part and pivot out carefully...nothing really to break here but always use caution (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0781.jpg)

Warning it didn't happen with me, but there is a spring in each of these buttons that may fly out!

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0787.jpg both the hazard and defrost have the same style bulbs...just pull it out and undo the wires. (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0787.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0792.jpg these are a little more difficult so if you have a spare bulb (maybe the ones that were blown out in the ac panel) will make it easier by sliding in the wire and using that to pull it out. then push the wire through to the other end and loop it again to pull it out...etc etc shouldn't be too hard (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0792.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0800.jpg put new bulbs in...i also made two contacts with these two by looping them through the hole twice, a bit ugly but functional (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0800.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0789.jpg putting them back might be a bit tricky, but have patience and you should be good. just make sure the white thingy has the groove facing up (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0789.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0797.jpg that gold thingy should fit right into the white thing's groove...so when piecing the parts together go in at a slight angle and when you've caught it...you'll know cuz it'll just slide in and out real freely. (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0797.jpg)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/th_100_0801.jpg of course the spring will make it a bit difficult so you'll have to hold the two exo parts together while sliding in the bulb holding piece at an angle. first sliding in the front all the way in and clamping it down (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/kenshins14sks/HVAC%20write-up/100_0801.jpg)

Note: the defrost button is a bit harder to piece back together. you have to slide it in a little bit further than will seem possible. the reason for this is because is you won't be able to clamp it down together easily because of the little edge by the white covered bulb.

Hope this helps guys! and hope i was clear enough in my explanations!

[sw20>>s14]

ive been meaning to do this for such a long time...its rediculous how eveytime i want to press a button i have to turn on the map lights...however, i must say im getting better because i dont have to turn on the lights anymore...its jedi powers at work...
anyways...sticky this shit!!! or put it in the "installs" section...ill refer to it when i finally decide to get off my lazy ass and do it...thanks for the thorough writeup...

[projectRDM]

Good writeup, though I'd have to say posting it here on zilvia is going to produce a flood of broken control heads and switches. You know these kids on here are too stupid to handle those instructions.

[SilviaDriver]

awsome, i bought the replacement bulbs over a year ago and never got a chance to do it

[TheTimanator]

what size/part number are the bubls?

[neilsan]

the hazard and defrost buttons have a light behind them other than the one that comes on when you activate them? I fixed my HVAC lights a year ago in my S13. The bulbs were fine... the contacts had gotten corroded. I pulled them out, saw they werent blown, said 'uh oh' and started fishing for blown fuses and pulled wires and after i couldnt find anything, put it back together and it worked.

[kenshinS14sks]

i dont quiet remember what numbers the bulbs were... i just took it apart, went to JK electronics and got the bulb that seemed closest in size ... the bulbs that went in the ac control box are now bigger because they didn't seem to have the same size, and me not wanting to waste time looking around to match bulbs...i just bought the closest sizes =i and they seemed to work fine.