Thread: climate control wheels
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Old Nov 17, 2007 | 11:34 AM
  #12 (permalink)  
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BRappaport
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 232
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From: Pennsylvania
Default Re: climate control wheels
Originally Posted by ctsemicon
What is inside the climate control is only two small 194-type bulbs....They use a big clear plastic "light-pipe" assembly that is supposed to transmit light from two bulbs all the way across face of both dials and into the wheel. Short of replacing the existing bulb with an arc lamp, this ain't gonna' cut it, and they always look dim. This is because original SLK design used yellow lamps on cream-colored fascia, andcontrast was much higher (same as speedo instrument binnacle).

One quick fix - replace existing existing t1.5 incandesent with LED Lamp. Or Eat More Carrots!
Hi ctsemicon,

Thanks for the explanation. And for me, carrots just wont cut it! I am the rabbit wearing glasses!

Anyway...so if I understand this right, since the white dot on both my climate wheels lights-up...the light pipe is doing its job...but whether it's an alignment problem...or a bulk briteness problem...I would need to get back behind the dash somehow to align or replace the bulbs.

From some of the other responses...that the wheel is "dimely lit", and others that say its lite up well...this is probably a design flaw...or install position sensitive for the "lite-pipe".

Has anyone ever attempted to replace these bulbs...or replace them with LED's...or reposition the "lite pipe"?? Any inputs on how difficult the job is would be appreciated.

Another thought...since many of the back-lite buttons are dimly lit...has anyone tried any external LED lights or other type to lite up this area?

Thanks...and since this seems to be a common problem...does everyone else just put up with it? ...or is it just a "set it and forget it" item.
 
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