Location: El Paso (Fort Bliss, 1st Armored Division) TX
Replacing bulb behind driver HVAC controls
I'm pretty sure my driver's side HVAC controls are supposed to be lit, so what bulb do I need to order and anyone have any instructions on replacing it?
I'm pretty sure my driver's side HVAC controls are supposed to be lit, so what bulb do I need to order and anyone have any instructions on replacing it?
The bulbs are soldered to the circuit board. Once one goes out the rest are soon to follow. In this thread http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1588861 are instructions for changing to LED's on all of the interior lights. I also believe that the replacement incandescent lamp is mentioned some place in this.
Location: El Paso (Fort Bliss, 1st Armored Division) TX
Quote:
Originally Posted by SilverC54me
The bulbs are soldered to the circuit board. Once one goes out the rest are soon to follow. In this thread http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1588861 are instructions for changing to LED's on all of the interior lights. I also believe that the replacement incandescent lamp is mentioned some place in this.
I have read recently that 1 mod shows adding the led's and tapping into the power, leaving the old ones in place. Looks a little messy, but by far the easiest way to accomplish what you want to do. Do a HVAC led search in here to see
You probably dont need to replace the bulbs (or the board for that matter). I have the "gets dim at times" problem with the backlight on the dual zone controller also. In researching it seems that its just a matter of resoldering a few of the ic's on the back of the board (they were put on poorly in manufacture).
Not supposed to be hard to do, and once done, works fine.
Im holding off till I pull the console apart to install my PC, I'll try to put up some pictures (but there are already good write ups on how to fix it)
Location: El Paso (Fort Bliss, 1st Armored Division) TX
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jistari
You probably dont need to replace the bulbs (or the board for that matter). I have the "gets dim at times" problem with the backlight on the dual zone controller also. In researching it seems that its just a matter of resoldering a few of the ic's on the back of the board (they were put on poorly in manufacture).
Not supposed to be hard to do, and once done, works fine.
Im holding off till I pull the console apart to install my PC, I'll try to put up some pictures (but there are already good write ups on how to fix it)
There are 14 small lamps that provide 'back lighting' when your headlights are on. When one fails, the rest are sure to follow. You can buy replacements from Radio Shack, or Parts Express. It's a PITA, but not too difficult if you have electronics experience.
The 'dimming' that people are referring to is related to the actual HVAC display. Many people experience problems where the temperature readout starts to dim, then goes completely out. This is because of the way that the circuit is designed. There are multiple surface mount resistors that are mounted in parallel that provide power to the display. The solder joints fail on the individual resistors, increasing the resistance to the display and limiting the overall voltage that the display "sees." Eventually, the display just doesn't light up at all. This is also an easy fix if you have the electronics experience.
I have already repaired one unit... took a couple of hours start to finish. (With a beer or two thrown in for good measure.)
Mark
Last edited by Fasthotrod; 01-08-2008 at 01:17 PM.
Location: El Paso (Fort Bliss, 1st Armored Division) TX
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fasthotrod
There are 14 (I think) small lamps that provide 'back lighting' when your headlights are on. When one fails, the rest are sure to follow. You can buy replacements from Radio Shack, or Parts Express. It's a PITA, but not too difficult if you have electronics experience.
The 'dimming' that people are referring to is related to the actual HVAC display. Many people experience problems where the temperature readout starts to dim, then goes completely out. This is because of the way that the circuit is designed. There are multiple surface mount resistors that are mounted in parallel that provide power to the display. The solder joints fail on the individual resistors, increasing the resistance to the display and limiting the overall voltage that the display "sees." Eventually, the display just doesn't light up at all. This is also an easy fix if you have the electronics experience.
I have already repaired one unit... took a couple of hours start to finish. (With a beer or two thrown in for good measure.)
Mark
So I'm confused now. The above link is to fix the actual temp/fan display? What I'm having problems with is the soft white light behind the panel that illuminates the knob, the off button, and the fan speed selector.
So I'm confused now. The above link is to fix the actual temp/fan display? What I'm having problems with is the soft white light behind the panel that illuminates the knob, the off button, and the fan speed selector.
Okay... lets back up a second. The C5 came with two different types of HVAC systems. One is a "manual" system with knobs, then other is an automatic dual zone unit with a center display and two temperature adjust knobs.
This is the Dual Zone unit between the aftermarket stuff:
Location: El Paso (Fort Bliss, 1st Armored Division) TX
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fasthotrod
Okay... lets back up a second. The C5 came with two different types of HVAC systems. One is a "manual" system with knobs, then other is an automatic dual zone unit with a center display and two temperature adjust knobs.
This is the Dual Zone unit between the aftermarket stuff:
Which unit do you have?
Mark
You picture isn't showing up on my computer at work but I have the second type, with two adjustment knobs and it displays the outside temp and stuff on an LED display in between the knobs.
You picture isn't showing up on my computer at work but I have the second type, with two adjustment knobs and it displays the outside temp and stuff on an LED display in between the knobs.
Okay.. in that case, it's back to the 14 lamps that are soldered to the internal board in the Dual Zone Climate Control Head.
If you look at this picture:
You will see the guts of the Dual Zone Climate Control unit that has been disassembled. Notice the 14 lamps that are lit up... they provide the illumination when your headlights are on.
Notice the center area of the circuit board? That's the temperature display in the center of your Dual Zone Climate Control. The six lights to the left of that are for the temperature knob, the off button, the A/C button, and the fan speed control. The silver things aiming at 5 o-clock are the driver and passenger temperature adjustment dials.
If you have no light for the knob, off, and fan speed selector, then there are probably five lamps in your unit that are burned out... and more are sure to follow as their life expectancy is similar... just like regular lamps at your house. (Replace one bulb in a set of 5, guess how long it is until the next one goes out... then the next one... then the next one... PITA, right?)
If you have the experience working with electronics, you can replace the lamps yourself. It's not that hard, really... Just need some basic knowledge and tools, a soldering iron, replacement lamps, and some solder. And a little patience.
I had a similar problem with my HVAC. Thankfully i'd already ordered LEDs to replace them. Playing with the Circuitboard is heart pounding especially when you realize the unit costs about $400.
Here's how i fixed it without touching the circuit board: Soldering is required but no resistors and it can't possibly screw up the electronics.
Wiring nightmare, yes. But it does look cool. I eventually used a 100 ohm resistor on the main power wire because it was TOO bright. If you go the LED route, I highly suggest shaving the tips off the LEDs with a dremel cut-off wheel to prevent hot spots.
Here's the final result:
YOu can also pick up repaired HVACs on ebay for ~$100 or have yours repaired for around $50
Wonder how much it costs to have repaired. Maybe someone in the local Vette club knows how to do it.
It costs anywhere between $55 to $100. There is a guy that has multiple listings on an auction site that we can't link to here... but if you do a search on Google for "c5 climate control repair" you will see what I am talking about.
A friend of mine had his go out in his C5 vert, so he just replaced it. I got his old one and I repaired it and put it in my C5. (Lamps and Display were both acting funny.) Now all I have to do is fix my old one.
Now that I think about it.... it wouldn't be a big deal to do two at the same time.
Ever heard of "Pay it Forward?" Today is your day.
If you can't find anyone locally to help you... I'll fix it for you.
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Replacing bulb behind driver HVAC controls
PITA, right?)
