How do change the bulbs behind the HVAC?

[mbenno@yahoo.co]

Greetings, I am new to the forum.

I have a burned out bulb that illuminated the heater control dials (HVAC). I can't seem to figure out how to get back behind there and fix it. I was hoping someone could help me with a BTDT and possibly a part number for the bulb.

Thanks
Mike Benno
98 318ti

[rendoll911]

part number is 61-13-8-353-797 will cost ya about $10 from a dealer since its a combined bulb/socket.

to install it just pop out the radio and look downward through the radio hole and you should see a a couple wires leading to the dead bulb.socket. Pull that out(requires quite a bit of tugging but it will come out) and replace it with the new bulb.

also if you disconnect the battery make sure you have the radio code because you'll have to type it in when you reconnect it.

[mbenno@yahoo.co]

It looks like I need some sort of flat tool

[rendoll911]

yeah i just used my finger nail to open those plastic covers also the hex bolts that hold the radio in use a special 5 sided tool to open but i found that a regular allen wrench works fine

[gadgetphreak]

I had the same need when I first purchased my ti... I used a small flat head screw driver to flip open the small doors on each side of the radio. I found that a small Torx Head screw driver fit perfectly (I can see how the right size allen wrench would work).

I purchased an extra bulb so i had it handy, cost me about $8 each at the local dealer.

[mbenno@yahoo.co]

Thanks to all, I will fix it tomorrow.