HVAC light bulb

[foofopps]

So the bulb behind my "hot/cold" knob has been out and it was annoying me, so it was a pain in the the ass but i took apart my entire hvac panel in my freezing garage (where little plastic pieces love to break off) to find the bulb. It says 12v 1.2w or (.2w) or just (2w) its so small, also says "spahn". Anyway has anyone else replaced these? I looked on real oem and didn't find anything, do I have to go to the stealership for this? here is a cell phone pic for the pic whores.

[Mike325]

I would try some place like a radio shack. I replaced these on my honda and I had to go to the stealer though.

[iwantspeed]

before i took my dash out my hvac bulbs worked when i put the crack free dash in they went out.
:hitler:

[e30frosh]

I picked up some at the local Advance Auto. I'd imagine other retail chains have them.

[Adrian_Visser]

I just replaced both of the illumination bulbs as well as the bulb for the rear defrost button and the recirc button. I just bought some really small bulbs from my local autoparts store that were for instrument cluster and maplights that's what the package said at least. I basically just found the smallest bulbs they had that looked similar to the ones I remeoved.

They were just a glass bulb with two filaments coming out on the socket end no real connector or anything. In your picture it looks like there is a plastic socket on there, just pull on the glass bulb and it will come out that is what I bought: just a glass bulb nothing else.

For the switches I had to bend the filaments over 180 to have them make contact but I think that for the HVAC illumination I just pushed the bulbs in and it worked.

[dannyg]

before i took my dash out my hvac bulbs worked when i put the crack free dash in they went out.
:hitler:

Haha, that just happened to me. 1 of them burned out, I replaced it today though...

[TrentW]

I've got some brand new ones if you want to come by and pick one up. I think they were like $2. I'm in the Berwyn area.

[foofopps]

thanks for the help guys, id def like to get my dash hvac back together asap as i won't have any heat in my car tomorrow...but those are the privilages one gets from DD a 23 year old car. TrentW i will PM you, i live in Oak Park, and I have class at loyola hospital tomorrow from 8-4 maybe we can meet up after? that would be awesome.

[TrentW]

No problem. Sent you my info.

[TrentW]

If you're replacing just the HVAC bulbs, you don't have to take the whole dash panel apart. Here's the easy way:

Temp Control Bulb Part# 63-21-7-167-000
1. Pull off the temp control and slider knobs
2. Pry off the small panel behind the sliders. So you don't gouge anything during removal, use a very thin blade electronics type flat screwdriver or one of those that you use to tighten the hinges on eyeglasses.
3. Remove the four screws that are now exposed.
4. Remove the radio.
5. You'll be able to see the bulb socket located above & right of the temp control knob. There are three small plastic prongs that hold the socket in place. This is one of those instances where it makes it much easier to just snap off the top prong, (already removed in pic) otherwise it requires a third hand to remove the socket. Don't worry, there are still two prongs to hold it in place. (You can also use a screwdriver to pry back the panel that holds the socket (see pic) and you'll see the bulb, but it's virtually impossible to replace from the front without using a small pair of needlenose. You'll be able to remove it, but try to get the new bulb seated in at the exact right angle without breaking it or dropping it down in the dash while doing so!)
6. Use your small screwdriver to pry back on the prongs holding the socket and pull it out of the panel.
7. Replace bulb. Make sure the bulb lights up before reinstalling.
8. Reinstall radio, dash panel and knobs. Done!

Fan Control Bulb
No need to take anything apart for this one, but it's one of those where you can't see it and have to feel around for it. If you reach up from under the right side of the storage tray and underneath the dash panel you'll feel the wires that lead to the socket and can gently pull it out from underneath and replace the bulb. It's gonna take you a few tries to get it back in it's place as it goes in at a slight angle, but be patient and you'll get 'er done.
The slider control lights work off this one also, IIRC.

[MattM]

part number: 63217167000, i ordered 20 of them from the dealer, keeping stock, its annoying when 1 burns out. i also ordered 20 of the same bulb with the black housing(like behind dash) for the same reason.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=1554&mospid=47321&btnr=64_0097&hg=64&fg=20&hl=137

[TrentW]

part number: 63217167000, i ordered 20 of them from the dealer, keeping stock, its annoying when 1 burns out. i also ordered 20 of the same bulb with the black housing(like behind dash) for the same reason.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...4&fg=20&hl=137

Ummm, read my post above this...

[foofopps]

Trent very nice write up, yeah I took my whole hvac panel apart because I also had to tighten all the screws for my OBC and take out my cd player and what not (cuz it is a piece of shit), but it is good to know in the future. Stealership charged me $5.79 for the bulb, but at least it was in stock and I didn't have to wait for them to order it.

[TrentW]

Ouch--must have gone to Perillo. I realized the ones I had I ordered were from Pelican and they were only .50 a piece. Of course there's shipping cost, but just include them when you have a large enough order for free shipping. ;)

[foofopps]

naw i went to that one in elmhurst on lake st. because it was closest, i did spend $55 on spark plugs from perillo tho...