instruments light bulbs

[kurtwm]

😡Slowly, but surely my instruments light bulbs are burning out on my 97 PA. The radio buttons are pretty much all in the dark, climate control button lights are burned out and some other as well. Is there an easy way to replace them or is this an 8 hr/$800 job?

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

The bulbs you speek of are non-servicable by the techs in the dealership. You will need to either exchange the componants or have them repaired by an auto electronics facility. As for the climate control head, you will probably need to replace that. I don't believe our sublet repair shop repairs the climate control heads, but I know they repair the clusters and the radios. The clusters usually cost around $300 to exchange/repair, same for the radios.

 

[imidazol97]

Are voltage spikes able to cause bulbs to burn out? Are your alternator and battery good and all connections solid?

 

[kurtwm]

Electrical system OK

Never had problems with the alternator or other electrical components. Seems the bulbs are just burning out over time. I guess I rather be in the dark then spending $300 to replace the cluster.

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

I have never had a cluster apart on one of these vehicles, but you may be able to take it apart and inspect the bulbs. You may be able to pick some replacement bulbs up from an auto electronics store. The thing is, the bulb contacts may be soldered to a circuit board. If you tear into it, you may see that it is an easy enough job, you never know. Good luck.

 

[2KUltra]

Looking for removal info...

1970RIV, can you offer removal steps to get at the climate control pod, and/or the steering wheel radio/temp control switches for '97 up PA's? I had my '93 Lesabre dash apart 4 times, and I can do it again blindfolded, but I am a little nervous prying at my 2000 Ultra trim panels. I also have quite a few lamps out, and will share whatever I find out as soon as I can get to them without worrying about damaging the interior, if you know what I mean...

 

[HiHoSilver]

I can't offer assistance for the climate control head, but the steering wheel radio/climate controls are easy to exchange. Just take something like a screw drive or a table knife and pry up under the switches. They will pop right up out of the steering wheel, pull it out all the way and disconnect the wires.... I have had to replace these controls on my 2001 PA and one on my 2002 PA Ultra - the controls are not serviceable. I can't remember how much the controls were to order from my dealer but I don't think it hurt too bad..

I know the steering wheel controls were changed to a new design in either '00 or '01 but the method to replace them should be the same.

 

[lacelles]

Dash Cluster

Hi

I'm not an expert about this, but if you need another one, I have for sale on ebay starting bid is 9.99$

http://search.ebay.ca/_W0QQsassZlacelles

also other parts available
www.azoteliquide.com/fiero/Picture/for_sale/97Buick_for_sale.htm

 

[2KUltra]

I can't offer assistance for the climate control head, but the steering wheel radio/climate controls are easy to exchange. Just take something like a screw drive or a table knife and pry up under the switches. They will pop right up out of the steering wheel, pull it out all the way and disconnect the wires.... I have had to replace these controls on my 2001 PA and one on my 2002 PA Ultra - the controls are not serviceable. I can't remember how much the controls were to order from my dealer but I don't think it hurt too bad..

I know the steering wheel controls were changed to a new design in either '00 or '01 but the method to replace them should be the same.

Thanks for the info! I appreciate it.

 

[2KUltra]

a little more info...

I got one of the steering wheel pods out (thanks HiHoSilver), and on my 2000, they are "serviceable" depending on how you define the term. The illumination for each switch is provided by a small standard incandescent 12V lamp, directly soldered on the PCB, with a blue vinyl cover for the tint. I know that they could have used blue, red, green, etc. 12V LEDS that would last a lifetime instead of 130 year old technology , but GM/Delphi chose to save a couple of dollars on my forty thousand dollar car. No wonder they are in such deep shit. Tomorrow, I will get to the climate control somehow, and get the skinny on that, but I'll bet it uses the same crappy lamps.

I'll grab some photos, and post some info on what I have found. I definately will be using LEDS though. 😎

 

[HiHoSilver]

Congrats, on the steering wheel controls and providing the information! Please keep us posted on the HVAC control head lights. I'm sure more of us PA owners will have those lights burn out in time. Keep us posted!

Curious to know - are the controls on your steering wheel the black ones?

 

[LARRY70GS]

I would try to e-mail this guy. Sounds like he could rebuild just abouit anything in the dash. Pretty reasonable too.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/95-9...014305326QQcategoryZ33545QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[2KUltra]

Congrats, on the steering wheel controls and providing the information! Please keep us posted on the HVAC control head lights. I'm sure more of us PA owners will have those lights burn out in time. Keep us posted!

Curious to know - are the controls on your steering wheel the black ones?

Yes, they are the black ones, and the black coating is wearing down fast, allowing the light to come through in a porous pattern...🙁

 

[2KUltra]

I would try to e-mail this guy. Sounds like he could rebuild just abouit anything in the dash. Pretty reasonable too.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/95-99-BUICK-LESABRE-DIGITAL-CLIMATE-CONTROL-ATC-SERVICE_W0QQitemZ8014305326QQcategoryZ33545QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks for that link! I'll e-mail him and see what he thinks. One thing that I noticed about the Climate Control Module on my '93 is that it seemed to be just an interface to the BCM. Only switches, lamps, and a plasma readout. Nothing hi-tech about it, but a pain in the ass when the mechanics fail (like solder joints, which account for a huge percentage of electronic failures, especially with mass production).

Maybe I am in the wrong business 😛. This guy does sure does have great prices and feedback; got to give him that!

 

[2KUltra]

I would try to e-mail this guy. Sounds like he could rebuild just abouit anything in the dash. Pretty reasonable too.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/95-99-BUICK-LESABRE-DIGITAL-CLIMATE-CONTROL-ATC-SERVICE_W0QQitemZ8014305326QQcategoryZ33545QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

OK, I e-mailed him a few days ago. He didn't really supply any sources other than Radio Shack, but he couldn't give me a stock number. I have done some digging at Digikey and Mouser, and have found some 12V super-brights that would solder right in, but none in blue. I haven't had the time to take my climate control pod out, but I hope to get to it this coming monday. In the meantime I am playing with standard LEDs + resistor to get the steering wheel pods lit. I'll keep everyone posted with any new developments.