Question on analog climate control lighting

[furherfecker]

Hello all,

I've recently been going through the old threads to find out how to change the lights for the analog climate controls.

I managed to find 1 explanation where we must remove the 2 knobs remove the screws behing, remove the front cover and change the lightbulb.

My question is, what does that light light up? The knob surrounds or the 4 buttons?

On my climate control, the 4 button (Rear defroster, AC, etc.) all light up but not the knobs that control temperature, and vent "decider"

Is this the right bulb to change?

Many thanks,

anyone? ....anyone? Bueller?

Parts department is open for another 28 minutes...

[flyfishvt]

The AC, Recirc and rear window defrost buttons are backlighted by two very small bulbs that are part of the switch for each button. The large dials and the smaller temp control dials are backlighted from a single small bulb in the middle of the control unit. The light is dispersed from this sinle bulb using clear plastic similar to how Angel Eyes work.

I just checked a spare uint I have and there are not any bulbs that can be swapped out unless you intend to do some soldering.

The OBC however, DOES have bulbs that can be replaced. It there any chance you were looking at info about the OBC and not the climate control?

[furherfecker]

Hi flyfishvt,

Thank you for the reply.

No i was defintely looking at the Analog climate control unit and not the OBC.

A bought the bulb last night, its a tiny little thing. I beleive its part number 2127 at bavauto but i'm not 100%

From what i read in the thread (I will try to find it again) they gave the following instructions:

-remove both larger knobs
-Remove the 2 screws in back
-remove the cover
-You will apparently see a white plastic
-Remove the bulb in the middle. They stated that they recommended using a needle nose plier and be carefull not to brake the bulb.

Installation is reverse.....


So does that bulb finally needs to be soldered? It doesn't clip in?




EDIT:
Ok I found the thread:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=417779&highlight=analog+climate+control


The poster states to simply pull out the bulb and insert new one... no mention of soldering, can anyone please confirm?

Many thanks!

[Moron95M3]

yep! that's it.

Although It's tough to find the correct bulb. I found one locally that is close but a tad larger, but works ok.


It's very simple to do. The way they are all lit up is the same idea as fiber optics I think...


p.s. thanks for the reminder...I need to do this in my vert.

[furherfecker]

^ My pleasure, We need to keep these cars tip-top!

I bought the bulb last night from BMW... for 8.69$!! haha..

But that's perfect, if there is no soldering needed i'll do this during lunch time!

[slocar]

^ I bought a pair of bulbs for like 3 bucks from AutoZone ... I forget what the part number was, but if you take yours and match it up, they definitely have them.

[furherfecker]

Yeah i just went to the dealer to get it.. They checked out the VIN and got the right part

Expensive for 1 little bulb haha but no shipping costs or wait times associated like if u ordered it online.

[flyfishvt]

I never would have believed those were replaceable unless you guys told me. Sorry for the incorrect info.

[furherfecker]

Well I fixed the bulb last night. It took almost a whole 5 minutes...

The steps were exactly as described in DIY thread.

While changing the light bulb I decided to clean out the face plate of the climate control. While doing so I noticed the AC and re-circulate button were pushed in the plate and were stuck... I removed them, cleaned them out and properly reinstalled them.

When I put everything back into place.... not only did the whole climate control light up, but the AC and re-circulate button started operating normally... :confused Turns out my AC wasn't broken afterall... the button was stuck!

this morning the AC was blowing freezing cold air in my face :buttrock

...such a pleasant surprise, I just fixed all my climate control woes with a 5$ bulb hahaha