HVAC not lighting up...???

[gadgetphreak]

My HVAC (Heating controls) are not lighting up at night when I turn my lights on... Are they supposed too? I am just talking about the area behind the dials for temperature, fan speed, etc. The AC button, etc. are lighting.

Is there an FAQ or write-up on how to replace them? Is it more likely to be a fuse (doesn't seem like it or I would think more lights would be out) or bulbs?

I searched the forums and read the threads that came up but didn't find the answer.

Thanks in advance for your help,
Gadget

[ZeroG]

My HVAC (Heating controls) are not lighting up at night when I turn my lights on... Are they supposed too? I am just talking about the area behind the dials for temperature, fan speed, etc. The AC button, etc. are lighting.

Is there an FAQ or write-up on how to replace them? Is it more likely to be a fuse (doesn't seem like it or I would think more lights would be out) or bulbs?

I searched the forums and read the threads that came up but didn't find the answer.

Thanks in advance for your help,
Gadget

Gadget,

OK, pull off the control nobs for the fan temperature and directional (Defrost, front, floor, etc.) When the nobs come off you should see a philips screw head un screw them all and the front panel should come off. Take out one of the light bulbs for the and run to kragen and then match it up replace and reverse install.

-Chad

[gadgetphreak]

Wohoo, I was hoping it would be as easy as that... It just seemed odd that all three were burnt out at the same time... What are the odds?

Makes me suspect something else is at work... a short, a fuse, or...?

I will start there and report back if that doesn't work.

Gadget

[socal318ti]

http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3968

I actually tried just taking out the screws and poping thart part of the dash off. No luck. I Think you have to take the radio out as well.

[gadgetphreak]

How odd is it that we both had the same issue at the same time...?

It's like deja' vu all over again...

Has anyone confirmed that you need to take your stereo out to get access to those bulbs?

[socal318ti]

I wasn't able to just pop the front panel off last night when I tried so I think you might have to remove the stereo but I'm still not sure.

[Phil Marx]

Yeah, I wrote it up once before. Here's what I said then:

For the HEATER CONTROL lighting it's real easy: Just remove your radio. (The proper five-sided hex tool works best but even a small screw driver will often turn the two grub screws necessary to release the clamps. If you aren't familiar with that procedure, let me know and I can elaborate!) Yes, my controls are the same as yours (mine is a '98 Active, April '98 production).

After the radio is dangling from your dash opening with all wires still attached, the heater control illumination _wire_ will be easily seen right on top of the entire heater control mechanism tucked under a little clip molded into the white plastic of the control section. The bulb is just pushed in to the unit and all you have to do is grab it and pull it out of the heater control. The wiring harness connector is a small two-pin plug but the bulb includes the male connectors and a plastic base that's at least the size of the glass part of the bulb itself. Simply unplug the wire from the bulb base, plug in the new bulb, turn on your lights and rotate the dimmer to full bright to check the bulb, then push the bulb base back into the control unit, reinstall your radio, and you're good to go.

If you need a photo of my dead bulb to make it any clearer, I'm happy to oblige, but I'm not pulling my Sony out of the dash again without good reason! <G>

The bulb part number is 61 13 8 353 797 and it's quite common to many BMW models including all other E36 models and is used in the ashtray on most as well as in other application. It is NOT the same bulb as that which illuminates your headlamp switch pictogram.

-Phil

[socal318ti]

Thanks a bunch for that. A picture of the bulb would be excellent. Thanks.

[swits]

My lights went out a few weeks ago! Same exact ones...just the dials. I noticed it after I had taken the stereo out to try to fix one of the dials (heater won't blow on the floor). Now the dials turn fine but they won't light up. It could be a coincidence and maybe the bulb just went bad, but I think it had to do with my tinkering in there.

I don't feel like taking the stereo and harness out again, but I think I'm gonna have to. I just hope I don't brake something else this time! :)

[socal318ti]

whoa whoa whoa.. it doesn't blow hot air on your feet anymore? that sounds kind of sketchy. now i'm not so sure about doing this. having hot air on my feet is about the only feature of the heating/ac that i use.

[swits]

No, FIRST the floor heater wasn't working, which was what I was trying to fix when in the process (I beleive) I accidentaly messed up something with the dial lights.

It's weird how it all happened because at first the dial wouldn't turn past the vent position to the floor, which I realzed was done when the cd player was installed because the harness had restriced a wire from moving that needed to when you turn the dial. I fixed it so it turns, but still don't get air on the floor. On top of that, now the dials don't light up. I'll get it right one day! =)

[socal318ti]

well lets hope i don't break anything. I'm going to atempt this when I get home from work today. Hopefully I won't be to sick.

[gadgetphreak]

So get this, I had my car detailed & the paint buffed and waxed, then treated with Xzilon to keep it from getting dirty as easily (the stuff really works...). I picked it up after work while it was still light out and it looks FANTASTIC, the inside is incredibly clean and they scrubbed every nook and cranny.

Later I turn my headlights on and I get this light shining in my eyes like somebody is standing in front of the car shining a flashlight at me... When they were cleaning the dash they must have pushed a little too hard on the headlamp switch indicator because it has been pushed in and fallen somewhere inside the dash (I presume)...

:(

So I called and left a message, but I am very bummed... The place that did it has a great reputation and they do all of our company show cars, so I am not expecting anything but great service in getting it resolved... so for now they get the benefit of the doubt.

Gadget

[gadgetphreak]

Steve -

Do you know the part # for the headlight display plate (the part for the headlight switch that is illuminated when the lights are on)..?

Where do you get those tech diagrams showing part #'s?

[ZeroG]

So get this, I had my car detailed & the paint buffed and waxed, then treated with Xzilon to keep it from getting dirty as easily (the stuff really works...). I picked it up after work while it was still light out and it looks FANTASTIC, the inside is incredibly clean and they scrubbed every nook and cranny.

Later I turn my headlights on and I get this light shining in my eyes like somebody is standing in front of the car shining a flashlight at me... When they were cleaning the dash they must have pushed a little too hard on the headlamp switch indicator because it has been pushed in and fallen somewhere inside the dash (I presume)...

:(

So I called and left a message, but I am very bummed... The place that did it has a great reputation and they do all of our company show cars, so I am not expecting anything but great service in getting it resolved... so for now they get the benefit of the doubt.

Gadget

Sorry that I gave you some bad info making it seem easier then it was. On my 95 318IS the plate and the radio are two separate things and one can be removed with out the other.

-Chad

[socal318ti]

Thats what I was thinking. I have the repair manual from BMW for the 3 series (92'-98') and it shows it just like you were talking about. Looks like even BMW forgot about us when they made the manual. :anger:

[gadgetphreak]

I found the diagram on Realoem.com and the part # (61318360431) to replace the Light Switch Covering. It changes out pretty easily so not a big deal.

Now I just need to get bulbs for the HVAC controls and I'm in like flynn..

Gadget