Climate control lights in 2013 Tacoma TRD

The lights on my climate control are very dim. I turn my headlights on and they illuminate but not much. All the other dash lights work as they should except the climate control panel.

While researching I see that you can replace bulbs in the control panel. So I take it apart... only to find LED chip lights soldered to the main board.

Anyone have any advice on how to troubleshoot or fix what is going on here?

 

looks like a previous owner decided to go the permanent LED route

 

So these should in fact be bulbs that are replaceable??

 

Yes, I just read a thread about it.

 

not quite sure if they come from factory with the LEDs I think the speedo dashlights are LEDs, y

 

https://youtu.be/Rr8o8fM6H-A

 

Here is what mine looks like....

 

Here is the inside of the climate control unit

 

Bulb vs led is totally year dependent as opposed to what someone said and what you’ve found out. Yours is LEDs from factory. Now why they are dim, idk. Your dimmer switch turned all the way up?

 

That makes more sense that it is year dependent. It sucks that these are LEDs that aren't replaceable.

Yup. Dimmer switch is all the way up.

 

they are replaceable if you can solder. I don’t think your issue is the LEDs. Since you also wired in switches based on your other post and they were dim too, seems to me like your lighting circuit at the HVAC isn’t getting a full 12V. I’d bust out a multimeter to see what’s going on.

 

Ok. I have the switches all sorted out. They aren't dim at all. All is working well.

So I should check for 12V across the green and green/white wire that is for illumination to the climate control panel?

Anything else you can recommend? I appreciate the input!

 

That’s probably where I would start since it’s easiest. You should see a full 12V.

 

looks like some 2012-2015 have the LEDs bulbs, https://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/o...jb21hJnk9MjAxMyZ0PWJhc2UmZT00LTBsLXY2LWdhcw==

 

have you tried plugging in the board with the plastic off and see how bright the lights are? if they are to dim, check power source for sure. might need to replace it if everything checks out.