Heater control bulb change. Dash removal
I had my local car stereo shop swap these out for me for $50, as my car's been there getting my Stealthbox / amp put in anyways.
The bulbs were in stock at RS and cost $8.xx for all 3. So for under $60 is still way better than $4xx. Thanks for the heads up.
12V/50mA Incandescent Bulb : Incandescent Bulbs | RadioShack.com
UPDATE:
I got the car back from the shop and the lights indeed work. I replaced 2 of the 3 (not the leftmost - that was already fine). However I'm not quite sure if it's the actual design of the ***** or the actual bulbs but it appears to be slightly less bright, which is ok - doesn't bother me but it's noticeable.
The bulbs were in stock at RS and cost $8.xx for all 3. So for under $60 is still way better than $4xx. Thanks for the heads up.
12V/50mA Incandescent Bulb : Incandescent Bulbs | RadioShack.com
UPDATE:
I got the car back from the shop and the lights indeed work. I replaced 2 of the 3 (not the leftmost - that was already fine). However I'm not quite sure if it's the actual design of the ***** or the actual bulbs but it appears to be slightly less bright, which is ok - doesn't bother me but it's noticeable.
I just changed out bulbs in the HVAC panel and in the door panels of our '06 H3 using Radio Shack part #272-1154 (12V/50mA Incandescent Bulb). This bulb fits in the existing plastic base after you remove the burned out bulb, and is a pretty straight forward soldering operation. Not the cheapest option at 2.19 each, but I was able to pick them up and change out the bulbs without a wait on postage. Dealer tried to tell me it was a sealed unit and would be $430 + for a replacement. That wasn't going to happen. Thanks for the earlier write up on getting the HVAC unit apart. On the door panels, instead of reusing the blue covers on the factory bulbs (which didn't want to come off without tearing apart) I just used a blue sharpie to color the replacement bulbs and the result was a nice soft white glow just like the originals.
Last edited by djl1qu1d; Sep 11, 2013 at 11:13 AM.
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 33
From: Amherst , NY
Hello,
Glad I found this thread as I am having the same issue and need to change the bulbs. I was wondering how did you guys get the push button to be a different color than the reset of the lights. Is there a seperate light for them ? I know it sounds stupid but I have to ask.. Also does anyone have picture of a before and after pic ?
Glad I found this thread as I am having the same issue and need to change the bulbs. I was wondering how did you guys get the push button to be a different color than the reset of the lights. Is there a seperate light for them ? I know it sounds stupid but I have to ask.. Also does anyone have picture of a before and after pic ?
Hello,
Glad I found this thread as I am having the same issue and need to change the bulbs. I was wondering how did you guys get the push button to be a different color than the reset of the lights. Is there a seperate light for them ? I know it sounds stupid but I have to ask.. Also does anyone have picture of a before and after pic ?
Glad I found this thread as I am having the same issue and need to change the bulbs. I was wondering how did you guys get the push button to be a different color than the reset of the lights. Is there a seperate light for them ? I know it sounds stupid but I have to ask.. Also does anyone have picture of a before and after pic ?
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1
Great thread. I was wondering if you can use NEOx LED Bulb - Instrument Panel LED | Subminiature | Specialty & Automotive | Universal LED Bulb Finder | Super Bright LEDs for all push buttons and ***** on instrument panel?
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 73
From: Pittsford, NY (Rochester 'burb)
Hi all...just wanted to share my experience. After much reading/searching I found the real bulbs are now available and after searching out the #'s found the best deal (link below). The price was ridiculously low ($8 for 8 vs $3-14 per), the bulbs fit and worked perfect (no soldering or jerry rigging led's) and the seller shipped fast and cheap!
Eight 8 Bulbs for 2005 2010 Hummer H3 Heater A C Controls Window Switches Mini | eBay
The only caution I will give is replace them ALL while youre in there. I wasnt thinking, just did the burned out one, put it back together, and found another had blown from the jostling! Duh! If one was gone, the others were due. Replace all 3... an 8 pack gives more than enough to do all of them in the truck.
One more trick...to make the case disassembly easier use toothpicks or similar...gently pry each clip point open with a flat blade and insert pick next to tab to hold open. Once all are held open the halves of the case come apart pretty easily and without force, slipping, etc.
Hope this helps!
Eight 8 Bulbs for 2005 2010 Hummer H3 Heater A C Controls Window Switches Mini | eBay
The only caution I will give is replace them ALL while youre in there. I wasnt thinking, just did the burned out one, put it back together, and found another had blown from the jostling! Duh! If one was gone, the others were due. Replace all 3... an 8 pack gives more than enough to do all of them in the truck.
One more trick...to make the case disassembly easier use toothpicks or similar...gently pry each clip point open with a flat blade and insert pick next to tab to hold open. Once all are held open the halves of the case come apart pretty easily and without force, slipping, etc.
Hope this helps!
Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 57
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Ok I decided to take this on and one step further. the factory bulbs dont really match each other either, half the ones I took out had the little blue bulb condoms and half were clear. I've gone all blue on hvac, rear wiper, all window switches, and the cluster.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1
Hello guys,
on my 2006 H3 Lux (109k miles)a few bulbs in the HVAC, 4x4-Control and the powerwindow-control where broken.
Due to the fact that replacement-bulbs (with fitting socket) are not available in germany i replaced the bulbs with other lamps.
If you can solder, it's a very easy job and made in about a hour for only a few bucks. The bulbs are replaceable and you don't have to buy new parts if you are out of warranty.
First i started with the HVAC, to acces it, put your fingers in the power outletts of the center console and pull. So you can pull of the whole center console to acces the connectors of the HVAC. After unplugging you need a 7mm ratchet to remove the 4 screws of the HVAC.
The housing is closed with a few clips, you can remove with a flat screwdriver. After that you can see the bulbs.
Either you put replacement bulbs or you solder lamps in with 12V 0,62 Watts (I used this ones and they work fine.).
when you remount the HVAC, you have to take care that the front **** of the blower will allign with the switch on the back panel.
The 4x4-Control has only conventional lamps for the background light all others are led.
The 4x4-Control is mounted with 3 screws and the house is also mounted with screws. After unscrewing the housing you can pull the circuitboard out and acces the bulbs. Th ebulbs are soldered on the circuitboard. After unsoldering the old bulbs and resoldering the new ones you should put the light blue rubbers caps from the old lamps on the new ones, otherwise the light looks a little orange tinted.
Remount it and you're done.
The power window control has replaceable lamps, too. The have the same specs like the HVAC-Lamps. Only pull the Switchpanel out and you will see the bulbs mounted from the underside.
Hope i was able to help somebody, who is out of warranty, too.
Greets,
Jens
on my 2006 H3 Lux (109k miles)a few bulbs in the HVAC, 4x4-Control and the powerwindow-control where broken.
Due to the fact that replacement-bulbs (with fitting socket) are not available in germany i replaced the bulbs with other lamps.
If you can solder, it's a very easy job and made in about a hour for only a few bucks. The bulbs are replaceable and you don't have to buy new parts if you are out of warranty.
First i started with the HVAC, to acces it, put your fingers in the power outletts of the center console and pull. So you can pull of the whole center console to acces the connectors of the HVAC. After unplugging you need a 7mm ratchet to remove the 4 screws of the HVAC.
The housing is closed with a few clips, you can remove with a flat screwdriver. After that you can see the bulbs.
Either you put replacement bulbs or you solder lamps in with 12V 0,62 Watts (I used this ones and they work fine.).
when you remount the HVAC, you have to take care that the front **** of the blower will allign with the switch on the back panel.
The 4x4-Control has only conventional lamps for the background light all others are led.
The 4x4-Control is mounted with 3 screws and the house is also mounted with screws. After unscrewing the housing you can pull the circuitboard out and acces the bulbs. Th ebulbs are soldered on the circuitboard. After unsoldering the old bulbs and resoldering the new ones you should put the light blue rubbers caps from the old lamps on the new ones, otherwise the light looks a little orange tinted.
Remount it and you're done.
The power window control has replaceable lamps, too. The have the same specs like the HVAC-Lamps. Only pull the Switchpanel out and you will see the bulbs mounted from the underside.
Hope i was able to help somebody, who is out of warranty, too.
Greets,
Jens
Hey thanks for the post it was a great help. I have an 08 H3 which has socket type bulbs in the HVAC instead of soldered in. Can anyone provide a source for replacement bulbs and bulb specs. Were did you come up with 12v 0.62w? I wonder if my bulbs will be the same? Dealer doesn't sell replacement bulbs but will be happy to sell the entire control unit for $400 bucks.
Thx
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 73
From: Pittsford, NY (Rochester 'burb)
Hey thanks for the post it was a great help. I have an 08 H3 which has socket type bulbs in the HVAC instead of soldered in. Can anyone provide a source for replacement bulbs and bulb specs. Were did you come up with 12v 0.62w? I wonder if my bulbs will be the same? Dealer doesn't sell replacement bulbs but will be happy to sell the entire control unit for $400 bucks.
Thx
Thx
https://www.hummerforums.com/forum/h...e6/#post306026
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4
You can purchase the socket type LED bulbs from superbrightledcom. They are the 4mm. You may want to purchase the amber for the cool white look more of a blue tone where as the amber will tie into the dash better. Here is the link. Also test the unit before completely re-installing sometimes you may have to rotate the bulb 180 degrees for it to work. Good luck.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/...r,NEO4,21,240:
https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/...r,NEO4,21,240:
