Bulbs behind a/c and heater keep going out

So the bulb that lights up the fan switch went out. No biggy. Turns out my bumper to bumper doesn't cover it. Cool, I'll pay the 1 hour labor cash. I leave the dealership and they fixed it, BUT now the bulb behind the knob on the other side that controls where the air exits is out. What could it be? Because if I go to the dealership and they try to charge me another 90 dollars I'm gonna go off on them. Letting my taco leave with the same problem I payed for is not cool.


Is this a common problem with anyone else?

 

Take it back and tell them that they screwed something up and have now caused a short somewhere and you're not paying for it to be fixed.

 

That's the plan but I want to go tomorrow not being completely oblivious about whats going on. I hate the feeling of going to the dealership knowing they will always have a rebuttal for everything.

any ideas TW?

 

Ummmmm... Why are you paying someone to change the bulb? go to the dealer to get the bulb and change it yourself. can be done with one flat head screwdriver in about 5 minutes.

 

Agreed...you actually don't even need a flathead. A butter knife would work. I don't even think it would take 5 minutes.

 

Definitely not worth paying 90 bucks to have done... Even the 15 they charge for the bulb is a little much. When mine burn out I will be finding another source for the bulbs.

How does the dealer charge a hour for that??? Thats highway robbery!

 

What!? 5 minutes?! Why in the hell is toyota charging one hour labor for this?
Does anyone have pictures of taking apart the console?

 

They don't pro-rate. If it takes less than an hour they charge you for an hour.

The climate control bezel just clips in. You can slide a screwdriver, putty knife, butter knife, whatever you wanna use underneath and just pop it out. Then from there you can access the bulbs.

 

OP Ill post pics tonight for you if you really need them, my light is flickering think its a lose connection but taking a look tonight.

Let me know

 

yea, my bulb that is behind the fan speed knob dosent always come on........just another thing on my to do list.....

 

Look up stereo install. Just stop short of actually talking the stereo out.

Just remove one of the blank covers below the air vents (pops out).

Reach down in there and pop the AC controls forward then use something smooth to pry it out the rest of the way.

 

Here you go.

EDIT: At 50 seconds your work stops. On the back of the AC controls are 4 (I think) twist out caps that house the light bulbs.

Maybe someone has pictures of that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV8Z5pCZGjU

 

i think i just found a new stash

 

I think dogs can small through plastic

 

when you remove the heater panel, the bulbs actually "screw" in abour a quarter of a turn. Make sure it is "screwed" in. I just had the dealer replace a bulb in mine. It was out within a week. When I went to install my stereo, the bulb fell out. Once I turned it, it stayed and works.

 

Exact same thing happened to me after taking it to the dealer: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/lighting/77343-got-my-truck-back-dealer.html
I was able to bend the metal tabs out a little and fix it without replacing the bulbs.

 

who said it was for drugs

 

mine have been doing the same thing for years.

im not so sure if its my bulbs or something to do with the wiring. if i tap the climate control area with my finger they will come on, but then turn off again. they turn on/off randomly on their own.

 

Ive got the same problem. Does anyone have a part number for the bulb?

EDIT: Found it... 84999. The stealership wants $13 for it. Thieves!

 

I think that video will do but thanks for the help. I should have just done the work myself. I should stop doubting you guys.

Thanks for all the help. Now im gonna try to get toyota to give me a free bulb.