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Cruise/Rear Defrost Backlight
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 1:34 am
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.
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 1:38 am
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
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 2:06 am
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.
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 2:19 am
by Splinter
They're supposed to be backlit?

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 4:50 am
by Manarius
Any idea on how I'm supposed to get the dash apart then? Is it just a matter of prying?
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 5:07 am
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.
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 5:11 am
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.
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 5:31 am
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
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 12:39 pm
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.
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.
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 5:52 pm
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.
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 7:34 pm
by Legacy777
is there an actual fuse for this stuff?
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2005 5:53 am
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.

Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2005 7:22 am
by azn2nr
Splinter wrote:They're supposed to be backlit?

i was thinking the same thing
Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 3:02 am
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)
Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 4:26 am
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

Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 12:13 am
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.
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 1:53 am
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.
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 9:40 pm
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)
Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2005 5:10 am
by Manarius
Heh..272-1062 is the correct part number for the bulbs. Beware, the wires are a little long.