Heater control bulb change. Dash removal
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 73
From: Pittsford, NY (Rochester 'burb)
Welcome! No soldering even necc... just order the right bulbs and it's really easy .. they twist lock into the sockets. My previous post links the bulbs and a tip on opening the HVAC unit. Again, welcome!
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 111
From: East Bay
Bulbs are on ebay and easy to find. It's a very easy job to do. Just did mine and it took 20 minutes. The master winDow controls are easy too. However, I need to go back in because one windows down function can't be done by the master anymore. Must have made the contact dirty or something
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 590
From: Virginia
I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who posted here. I'm a complete car repair novice and I was able to change out my bulbs on the hvac and now they're all working great. I got the bulbs off of eBay so I didn't need to solder anything. The only annoying issues I ran into was a metal clip holding the head unit to the hvac once I took the middle console apart, and getting the plastic clips off of the hvac unit to get into the circuit board. I had to use 2 screw drivers at the same time. I also used a flat head screw driver to tighten down the replacement bulbs in the same groove on the bottom of them so I didn't accidentally hit the circuit board. Thanks everyone!
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2
Better Idea
I know it’s been a while since you posted but I was having the same problem with mine recently. There’s a auto parts junkyard in Elgin Illinois which is available online called Elgin super auto parts. There, I just bought the control unit for $75. I noticed that after going through 2 control units, all the same lights are out. This leads me to believe that it’s not the control unit yet the wiring instead. So, in about a week or two, I’m going to have my auto electrician monkey around with this and a new BCM for a separate issue. I’ll let you know how it goes for future reference.
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 73
From: Pittsford, NY (Rochester 'burb)
I know it’s been a while since you posted but I was having the same problem with mine recently. There’s a auto parts junkyard in Elgin Illinois which is available online called Elgin super auto parts. There, I just bought the control unit for $75. I noticed that after going through 2 control units, all the same lights are out. This leads me to believe that it’s not the control unit yet the wiring instead. So, in about a week or two, I’m going to have my auto electrician monkey around with this and a new BCM for a separate issue. I’ll let you know how it goes for future reference.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1
Helpful, but not correct
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
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 13,056
From: Boat Town USA MI
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
I know this thread is old, long and I haven't read the whole thing BUT...the information in the beginning on how to remove the center console and instrument pod is helpful but those soldered in LED bulbs don't look right to me. If i had to bet, the poster bought his H3 used and this was an ""upgrade"" by the previous owner. What should be in there are T4/T4.2 Neo Wedge bulbs that can be found on Amazon for under $10. I'm about to replace these on ours and found this thread which was helpful but again, those soldered in bulbs are not factory. Hope this helps somebody...and no offense to the OP.
READ: Old Threads/'Necro-Bumping'