Light Bulbs Behind Defroster Control Panel Question?

[Jadams1]

Anyone ever replace the small light bulbs behind the defroster control panel? Can you get to them by just removing the ashtray or does it require some invasive surgery? Thanks!

ps. This thread is not to test rattlsnak's previous post.

[RoninLB]

It's a pain but doable without surgery

[fintstone]

There is a nut at the back of the panel (about 4 inches behind the face plate) that you can remove to pull out the panel for access...at least on my '74. Piece of cake

[Jdub]

Sweet Jesus don't tell us you are going in there!

Your 1980 uses (I believe) four bulbs to backlight the lever control glyphs, two per side. What you will find is that, when you pull the bulb base unit, the bulb will remain in the hole. You will then have to take a small paper clip or pointed wire tester and crush that bulb with extreme malice, blowing out the crap with a computer air sprayer.

New bulbs are placed carefully in the bulb base unit. Do not attempt to crimp the metal that contact the bulb, it will break. Carefully, using a pair of needlenose pliers, guide the bulb back into its hole without disloding any of the other bulbs. You may find it easier to pull a lower bulb unit out, sacrificing that bulb, to get clearance to get to the upper bulb - the design is that bad.

Best of luck. I have been through this twice and can only advise deep breaths and lots of patience.

John

[howie944]

If you have a mechanically inclined 2 year old daughter with double jointed slender fingers those bulbs are a snap to replace! The bulb holder is a press fit in the socket in the back side of the display. Sometimes they work loose and the bulbs are still working but are sitting on top of the ash tray or hanging loose illuminating they wire labyrinth under the dash. If you simply (simply, that's a laugh) have to reinsert the bulb holder into the receptacle I would suggest using some type of non permanent adhesive (something like the stuff used to hold some speaker grilles to the surround). Have fun!

[Speedy1]

This is funny it seems the po of my 82 beat the living s**t out of my heater control pannel only two lamps work and the face of the controler is smashed and cracked what a dumb ass sorry is that one word hmmm dumbass guess not . That mother is spendy to replace too. The controls are working but very stiff. I do apoligise for the profanity

[cary]

Originally posted by howie944
If you have a mechanically inclined 2 year old daughter with double jointed slender fingers those bulbs are a snap to replace!

That's the ticket. LOL.

[vesnyder]

I've had issues with mine popping out - one of them cam half way out and melted the holder? The best way I've found to replace them is to remove the radio whcih makes access much easier - especially for the ones closer to the passengers side. I thought I had fixed it for good, but noticed this morning it had come loose again?? The glue is a good idea!

[fintstone]

To answer the PMs I received regarding my earlier post here....here is a picture. taken from under the dash, looking up. I don't know if all years are the same, but if you take out the small bolt (It is the only bolt on the pix) at the back of the assembly (goes into a nutplate) about 4 inches behind the face, Gently pull the panel out far enough to access the bulbs easily. There is a rubber washer between the panel and mount for isolation.

[howie944]

Vesnyder the "glue" I was referring to is almost like the "dum dum" used on body panels etc. Almost the consistency of chewing gum but a lot more sticky. Don't know if that stuff used to mount posters to walls would work but might be worth a shot. This way if you ever have to replace a burnt out bulb its not JB welded in the socket.

[Jadams1]

Thank you for all the replies. I'll post back if I come up with any useful tips of my own.

[Jim Garfield]

John, you inspired me to reattach my right side bulb wire/holder that came loose last year. It has been hanging loose illuminating the under side of the dash.

Turned out to be a 30 sec fix, just popped back on... but then I got a leg cramp... I was upside down on the seat, my head next to the pedals, with about 1/2" between my chest and the steering wheel. I couldn't get out. Ow, ow, ow I was laughing and crying at the same time, STUCK! Finally my daughter was able to pull my legs out the door and I was able to squirm out.

Let this be a warning to you all!

[Jadams1]

Jim, I hope somebody captured that on film? It sounds like your daughter earned an extra $5 for her allowance this week. I didn't get around to it this weekend but when I do, I'm removing my seat to make it a little more comfortable.

[Jim Garfield]

Originally posted by Jadams1
I'm removing my seat to make it a little more comfortable.

John, that will make it much easier. It's very claustrophobic with the seat in.

[304065]

Welcome to the "Inverted Yoga Position!" It's even more fun with a six-point roll cage and non-sliding racing seats!

[moneymanager]

Here's more on this topic, as well as my latest precautionary note on an LED bulb conversion.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/389533-lights-heater-fresh-air-contols-post4312788.html#post4312788

[3.2 CAB]

2 words for you... MM!

OK, not MotorMe***er, but Midget Mechanic, or your trained trunk monkey, for ease of bulb replacement. Tony.

[robert walsh]

After replacing the clutch cable and associated bushings in the forward cabin I found the replacement of these lights to be a walk in the park . Don't ever glue them in place, then when the bulb blows again you will find a real problem on your hands. I found that I had 2 that commonly fell out, I wrapped them in a piece of painters tape and plugged them, haven't fallen out in 4 months.

[moneymanager]

Haven't done a clutch replacement but I would nominate this for the ugliest job on a Porsche. My bulbs, in their bent-out-of-shape sockets, are held in with electrical tape. Who knows how long this unsatisfying fix will last. Next time I pull the entire unit out with cables and reengineer the little sockets so they will actually hold the bulbs.

[mthomas58]

Some helpful pics from another post. I've got to deal with this sometime myself. Will be going with LED replacement bulbs.