Dash panel illumination bulb replacement procedures

[E30is90]

Headlight/Fog Light Illumination
1. Remove the lower trim panel under the steering wheel.
2. Remove the left knurled nut from the dash board covering above steering wheel (to the right of the fog light switch).
3. Pull the left side of the trim cover out.
4. Remove the nut on the right side of the headlight/foglight switch cover.
5. Loosen the left nut of the switch cover, you don't have to take it all the way off.
6. Pull out the right side of the cover and slide it to the right to remove it.
7. You will see the light and its socket above the fog light switch.
8. Pull the light out of its carrier from behind.
9. Replace the light, reinsert it into its carrier and button it up.

Heating/AC panel Illumination
1. Remove radio, push out the second and fourth switches (blank and hazzard switch).
2. Remove the two screws located above these openings.
3. Remove the two screws under the dash panel (you will feel an opening if you reach up under the change well in front of the ash tray). The screws are on the left and right sides. It's a real bitch getting the left screw out. If you can't get a screwdriver in there, just take out the right one and leave the left one in place.
4. Pull off the temp dial and the three slider caps (for the vent controls).
5. Pull of the finishing plate that goes around the vent control sliders. Use a small straight blade screwdriver to pry it up.
6. Remove the four screws behind the removed cover plate.
7. It is recommended to remove the right knurled nut holding the dash board covering above the wheel (reach up under the lower trim panel below the steering wheel and you will feel it to the right side of the wheel) . If you don't, the center dash panel will be stuck under this covering panel above the wheel.
8. Pull the dash panel towards you. You can also now reach in and gently push the heater/AC control back a little. You will see one light located just to the right of the temp control dial.
9. Pull the socket from behind the plastic carrier to remove the assembly and replace the bulb. Reinsert the bulb and socket assembly.
10. The second bulb is located to the lower right of the fan speed dial. Pull the right lower corner of the loosened dash panel out enough to expose the bulb/socket assembly and pull it out from behind the plastic carrier.
11. Reinsert replaced bulb in the socket assembly and gently push the dash panel back in place, lining up the vent control sliders and temp control dial. Button everything up.

[iwantspeed]

where can you buy those bulbs new from?

[woodisgood]

I didn't even know there was a light for my headlight/foglight switch.....interesting. Thanks for the write-up.

[E30is90]

where can you buy those bulbs new from?

These are standard 1.2 watt Mini-Bulbs, Sylvania Part # 2721 or equivalent. Any corner auto parts store will have them.

[george graves]

Good thread. Thanks OP.

[QUiKSR20]

Old thread but I am gonna bump in case others didnt know this, I was just wondering if by the headlight switch its suppose to illuminate.

This is totally blacked out on my car :



I have to replace a bunch of bulbs.. Fog light switch, hazard switch, both ash tray bulbs etc...

Does anyone know if the A/C - Recuirc switchs are suppose to light up? Mine only do if on. If there in an off position no light. I bet you can fix all the lights for cheap and refresh that dash a little..

[AtlBMW]

Old thread but I am gonna bump in case others didnt know this, I was just wondering if by the headlight switch its suppose to illuminate.

This is totally blacked out on my car :



I have to replace a bunch of bulbs.. Fog light switch, hazard switch, both ash tray bulbs etc...

Does anyone know if the A/C - Recuirc switchs are suppose to light up? Mine only do if on. If there in an off position no light. I bet you can fix all the lights for cheap and refresh that dash a little..

The lights mentioned in the photo illuminate when you pull the light switch.

[QUiKSR20]

The lights mentioned in the photo illuminate when you pull the light switch.

Yeah mine dont, Will remove and try to fix with new bulbs.. Anyone know if you can replace bulbs in the switches?

Thanks,

[jeffnhiscars]

I replaced the bulbs in my AC control panel yesterday and got away with way less disassembly. I know there are different configurations for these panels so can't say 100% that all models will be this easy.

I removed the (aftermarket) radio and its metal sleeve, the digital clock (OBC is many cars) the compressor\recirc switch & the fan speed control. The speed control knob has a retaining nut that unscrews easily rfom the face side with a pair of needle nose pliers. I then unplugged it and moved all the wires out of the way.

The temp control bulb slides into a socket at the top of the dial at the bottom of the radio opening so it was extremely easy to replace with the radio out. As for the fan switch bulb, it took a little more finesse. I went to realoem to see a) how many bulbs did I need and b) where they were. The diagram shows a socket at the right end of the slider mechanism that points toward 2 oclock. Looking in to the clock opening the 2 wires were clearly visible so I reached in through the radio opening, grabbed the wires as close to the socket as I could and with a gentle tug, the bulb came free. Knowing where it came out of, the new bulb went in easily by feel.

Next time I would say replacing both bulbs from start to finish should not take more than 20 minutes

[QUiKSR20]

Im going to also find out what bulbs go above the fog light / exterior lights switches. Ill post pics so if someone else wants to do this they will find it by searching.

[AtlBMW]

My instrument panel lights but is dim. What do you think new bulb or new dimmer switch?