Climate control lights

OK there are multiple threads on this (see below) and I've read a lot of the posts but 1 question that came up on one of the threads never got answered AND I have the same question:

If your light(s) on your climate control panel is out and you 'tap' it and the light comes on, is it really the bulb? I always thought that bulbs either worked or were blown out.

IF the bulb isn't blown out or in the process of going out, could it be the connection that the bulb is making with the panel?

Buying the bulbs & installing them is pretty easy IF that's the problem.

Anyone else have the same issue & fixed it permanently? Well as permanently as you can fix a light issue.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/203164-climate-control-bulb-replacement.html

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/lighting/153779-bulbs-behind-c-heater-keep-going-out.html

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/lighting/90207-2005-toyota-tacoma-hvac-dash-lights-burned-out.html

 

If it's more than one light I'd suspect a loose connection. I'd check the ground first - If you look up the wiring diagrams onine it will give you the gnd connector locations (i.e. I think ?? Rt side of drivers dash, Drivers side kick panel, etc.) Also check to make sure none of your fuses are loose. After checking above I'd get the meter out and check the ground and the power wire to the Dimmer.

- Oh yeah - check your dimmer (tap the dimmer) as well.

 

Thanks...not sure it's the fuse but I'll do a little diagnostic work.

 

All the lights on the cluster or just one? When you are smacking the cluster the wire in the light moves and if it looses contact it goes out or if it connects it goes on.

 

My climate control had this problem with the bulb at the far left. I pulled the panel and swapped the bulb from the far right with the bulb from the far left. Now the bulb on the right fails but not nearly as often and the bulb on the left never fails now. If you take the bulb out and look at the back where it makes contact it is just the bare wire coming from the bulb and threaded through a slot in the bulb carrier. I plan to pull the panel, take the bulb out and see if I can pry the wire leads up a little to create better contact. I think this should fix the problem I'm having.

 

Well.....Mine did the same thing and I'd knock on it...yadda yadda.

One day, went to start my truck and I hear a Bzzzzt sound near the climate controls. Couldn't start the truck and needed a jump. Found out later - something shorted in the climate control unit. The plug (certain wires) had blackend. I made an attempt to take the unit apart and locate the problem (more than just a bulb). But...it's not as easy to take apart as you'd think. It's a complex piece.

I ended up buying a used unit from http://www.ranchotoyotatruckparts.com/ for $100. I've had the used one for at least 2 years or more and its been good.

I actually sent my old unit to a vendor on TW for them to take it apart and possibly find a solution....(I'm not going to mention names so they don't get bombarded with questions) but I haven't heard much about it.

 

Well it WAS the left side and now its both sides. A "slap" or 2 and they come on. I ordered 2 replacement bulbs and will install them when I get them in. I (like another poster) wanted to bend the bulb wires out to get a better connection but am leery of it creating another problem. I also wanted to put a piece of aluminum foil between the bulb and the climate control unit to improve the connection but again a little leery.

 

The bulb is shorting out. Nothing to do with wiring. You can attempt to repair, but it would most likely be short lived. I just ended up replacing both of mine with these and it fixed my issue. I grabbed these.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/153892138896