Cruise/Rear Defrost Backlight

Headlights to tailights and everything in between.

Moderators: Helpinators, Moderators

Post Reply
Manarius
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1755
Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2005 10:53 pm
Location: USA, PA, Grantham (near Harrisburg)
Contact:

Cruise/Rear Defrost Backlight

Post by Manarius »

What fuse is the Cruise Control's light connected to? (Not the indicator but the back light) Mine doesn't light up any more. Also, does the rear window defroster button have a back light? I've never seen that one light up before.
Manarius wrote:The Neo-Cons would call me a defeatist. I'd call me a realist. I'm realistically saying that a snowball has better chances in the blazes of hell than democracy has in Iraq.
1995 Polo Green Subaru SVX (189k miles - 08/2007-Present)
dscoobydoo
Fifth Gear
Posts: 2275
Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2004 2:30 am
Location: Auburn, WA
Contact:

Post by dscoobydoo »

Each of those is on the general dash illumination switch. The tiny light bulb inside them might be out. Both of them should have a back light and an indicator light
Yes I have too many Subarus
No you can't have one
05 GD-STI
01- RS- Swapped-07 STI
00- GF
93 SS- "the original Robtune" (now in new hands)
vrg3
Vikash
Posts: 12517
Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2002 2:13 am
Location: USA, OH, Cleveland (sometimes visiting DC though)
Contact:

Post by vrg3 »

Yeah, it's probably the bulb. If you remove the switch you can see the plastic bases of the bulbs on the side, and they come out if you turn them.

I don't know where you can get new replacements; I've always just used ones from a junkyard. I would imagine you could make some from Radio Shack work though.
"Just reading vrg3's convoluted, information-packed posts made me feel better all over again." -- subyluvr2212
Splinter
Knowledgeable
Knowledgeable
Posts: 3058
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 11:12 pm
Location: Victoria, BC

Post by Splinter »

They're supposed to be backlit?

:???:
98 Steel Widebody RSTi-RA Superbeast
Manarius
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1755
Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2005 10:53 pm
Location: USA, PA, Grantham (near Harrisburg)
Contact:

Post by Manarius »

Any idea on how I'm supposed to get the dash apart then? Is it just a matter of prying?
Manarius wrote:The Neo-Cons would call me a defeatist. I'd call me a realist. I'm realistically saying that a snowball has better chances in the blazes of hell than democracy has in Iraq.
1995 Polo Green Subaru SVX (189k miles - 08/2007-Present)
vrg3
Vikash
Posts: 12517
Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2002 2:13 am
Location: USA, OH, Cleveland (sometimes visiting DC though)
Contact:

Post by vrg3 »

What part are you trying to remove? Just the switches? Cuz they pop out easily. Look at the middle of the bottom of the bezel; there's a little dot. Pry between the bezel and the dash at the dot using a small flathead screwdriver; it'll pop right out. Then you can push the little tabs that hold each switch in.
"Just reading vrg3's convoluted, information-packed posts made me feel better all over again." -- subyluvr2212
wiscon_mark
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1141
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:04 am
Location: Stevens Point, WI

Post by wiscon_mark »

This has been my experience with the dash bulbs:

They're not out, or bad, the base just isn't connecting properly.

Solution: Turn the bulb base around in its spot a little bit, jiggle it, something to improve the connection, and it'll be fine.
[url=http://www.sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?t=486]1995 Legacy Outback 5MT[/url]
185,000 miles
www.sl-i.net (for all Legacys!)
Splinter
Knowledgeable
Knowledgeable
Posts: 3058
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 11:12 pm
Location: Victoria, BC

Post by Splinter »

vrg3 wrote:What part are you trying to remove? Just the switches? Cuz they pop out easily. Look at the middle of the bottom of the bezel; there's a little dot. Pry between the bezel and the dash at the dot using a small flathead screwdriver; it'll pop right out. Then you can push the little tabs that hold each switch in.
I always use a putty knife cuz it doesnt tear up the plastic
98 Steel Widebody RSTi-RA Superbeast
Manarius
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1755
Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2005 10:53 pm
Location: USA, PA, Grantham (near Harrisburg)
Contact:

Post by Manarius »

vrg3 wrote:What part are you trying to remove? Just the switches? Cuz they pop out easily. Look at the middle of the bottom of the bezel; there's a little dot. Pry between the bezel and the dash at the dot using a small flathead screwdriver; it'll pop right out. Then you can push the little tabs that hold each switch in.
Thanks vrg. I'll get on that this weekend sometime. :smile:

Wiscon, I think that may be the issue only because my cruise one used to light up after I hit it once or twice. My rear defrost on the other hand..hasn't worked in for.ev.er.
Manarius wrote:The Neo-Cons would call me a defeatist. I'd call me a realist. I'm realistically saying that a snowball has better chances in the blazes of hell than democracy has in Iraq.
1995 Polo Green Subaru SVX (189k miles - 08/2007-Present)
dscoobydoo
Fifth Gear
Posts: 2275
Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2004 2:30 am
Location: Auburn, WA
Contact:

Post by dscoobydoo »

vrg3 wrote:Yeah, it's probably the bulb. If you remove the switch you can see the plastic bases of the bulbs on the side, and they come out if you turn them.

I don't know where you can get new replacements; I've always just used ones from a junkyard. I would imagine you could make some from Radio Shack work though.
I have not found anywhere but the dealer for the bulbs. So I too have scrounged a few switches from the J/Y to pull the bulbs from. If you need one or two- get back to me.
Yes I have too many Subarus
No you can't have one
05 GD-STI
01- RS- Swapped-07 STI
00- GF
93 SS- "the original Robtune" (now in new hands)
Legacy777
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 27926
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 11:37 am
Location: Houston, Tx
Contact:

Post by Legacy777 »

Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
sandals
In Neutral
Posts: 44
Joined: Sat May 31, 2003 4:27 pm
Location: indiana, pa

is there an actual fuse for this stuff?

Post by sandals »

i didn't think much of it until i read this thread...

but on my '95 all the HVAC lights and cruise control back light are out.. i find it hard to believe it would be all the bulbs... although the rear defrost is backlit...

the bulbs that light when you press the buttons work; but none of the back lighting is. :???:
azn2nr
Fifth Gear
Posts: 2412
Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2003 8:02 am
Location: salt lake city

Post by azn2nr »

Splinter wrote:They're supposed to be backlit?

:???:
i was thinking the same thing
-jason
[quote="Scoobyniteowl"] Chasin' @$$ is a great form of exercise and if you do get any, then that is more exercise[/quote]
Manarius
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1755
Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2005 10:53 pm
Location: USA, PA, Grantham (near Harrisburg)
Contact:

Post by Manarius »

I pulled the switch set today. Both bulbs are burnt. Guess I'll have to head to the shack tomorrow.

Damn those suckers are tiny. (I'd take pictures, but my camera is in the shop)
Manarius wrote:The Neo-Cons would call me a defeatist. I'd call me a realist. I'm realistically saying that a snowball has better chances in the blazes of hell than democracy has in Iraq.
1995 Polo Green Subaru SVX (189k miles - 08/2007-Present)
wiscon_mark
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1141
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:04 am
Location: Stevens Point, WI

Post by wiscon_mark »

yeah, my 95 hasn't had any burnt bulbs in the HVAC, I just took the bulbs out, and put them back in, and they lit up again...w/e works I guess :-)
[url=http://www.sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?t=486]1995 Legacy Outback 5MT[/url]
185,000 miles
www.sl-i.net (for all Legacys!)
Manarius
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1755
Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2005 10:53 pm
Location: USA, PA, Grantham (near Harrisburg)
Contact:

Post by Manarius »

I replaced the bulbs. I think I have a short in my backlight system. When I turned on my lights, they flashed on for a second then went off. Would my driving lights being wired in with my backlight illumination system short it out?

I don't think the bulbs are burnt. At least, the filaments aren't burnt.
Manarius wrote:The Neo-Cons would call me a defeatist. I'd call me a realist. I'm realistically saying that a snowball has better chances in the blazes of hell than democracy has in Iraq.
1995 Polo Green Subaru SVX (189k miles - 08/2007-Present)
wiscon_mark
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1141
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:04 am
Location: Stevens Point, WI

Post by wiscon_mark »

Manarius wrote:Would my driving lights being wired in with my backlight illumination system short it out?
Probably, driving lights draw a ton more current than backlights.

Also check to see if it is grounding out and blowing a fuse.
[url=http://www.sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?t=486]1995 Legacy Outback 5MT[/url]
185,000 miles
www.sl-i.net (for all Legacys!)
Manarius
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1755
Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2005 10:53 pm
Location: USA, PA, Grantham (near Harrisburg)
Contact:

Post by Manarius »

No fuses blown. I will however move my driving lights to another fuse. Question though...should there be a specific milliamp rating I should be using? (I blew both of my new bulbs I think)
Manarius wrote:The Neo-Cons would call me a defeatist. I'd call me a realist. I'm realistically saying that a snowball has better chances in the blazes of hell than democracy has in Iraq.
1995 Polo Green Subaru SVX (189k miles - 08/2007-Present)
Manarius
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1755
Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2005 10:53 pm
Location: USA, PA, Grantham (near Harrisburg)
Contact:

Post by Manarius »

Heh..272-1062 is the correct part number for the bulbs. Beware, the wires are a little long.
Manarius wrote:The Neo-Cons would call me a defeatist. I'd call me a realist. I'm realistically saying that a snowball has better chances in the blazes of hell than democracy has in Iraq.
1995 Polo Green Subaru SVX (189k miles - 08/2007-Present)
Post Reply