The Mysterious 4th Center Bezel Connector

[Crunch]

In December I ordered replacement LED lamps from Amazon after reading the Melting HVAC bulbs? thread. I installed them yesterday and it's a great improvement over the darkness I had for the last year. The only thing that seems off is the white indicator dot on the mode door knob doesn't seem to be lit up like the other two knobs. When I pulled the center bezel I unplugged the 4th connector that's located on the far right of the center bezel. It was plugged into a pocket holder, but wasn't connected to anything. So what's it for? The only two things I can think of would be a second cigarette lighter or dual climate controls, but both of those would just be a guess.

 

[Ozymandias]

Airbag disable/enable switch in the Regular Cabs.

 

[Yo Hoot]

If you don't mind me asking what are the part numbers for the bulbs and how many should I buy?

 

[Ozymandias]

Depends on the system.

Single zone AC you get them in every autozone or so, same as bulb kit in all online store. T5/T4.7

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07TXCPJ64/ref=psdcmw_15729941_t1_B007NN14D4

Dual zone AC, soldered bulbs on the main board, no replacement possible.

 

[GCroyle]

2005 truck, I bought the Dorman bulbs first, lasted for a short usage time then the bases deformed melted and that was that.

 

[Crunch]

Airbag disable/enable switch in the Regular Cabs.

Thanks. Never considered that possibility. Doesn't sound like any electrical connection that can be re-purposed, either. I was kind of hoping there was constant power running to it that could be used for something else.

If you don't mind me asking what are the part numbers for the bulbs and how many should I buy?

The lamps in the Amazon link provided by @Ozymandias look just like the ones I got, but are from a different company. The prices are almost the same. Don't know what the Autozone/auto parts store ones are like or how much they cost. After shipping and sales tax mine were just over $20 delivered. The package contained 4 lamps, and the HVAC panel only needed three. I also experienced the most common installation hassle that people mentioned in the reviews, that being the tight fit for the bases when you use a screw driver to rotate them into position. The OEM circuit board was just a hair too thick for an easy fit, and the slotted screwdriver wanted to deform the lamp base because it was so tight. I used the business end of the screwdriver to shave down the open ends of the mounting slots on the lamps very slightly and they fit perfectly. I wouldn't use anything too sharp to do it because you might shave off too much. Definitely nice to see the HVAC controls again at night.

 

[cerberusiam]

That connector is likely for the ashtray and cup holder light.

 

[Crunch]

That connector is likely for the ashtray and cup holder light.

LOL...so it's one of those fancy, big city options you can get for your truck. I definitely don't have a light in either the ashtray or cup holder, but the cup holder light would have burned out long ago since it has been open since I bought the truck. The only time it gets snapped up into place is when I vacuum or clean the inside of the truck.

 

[Yo Hoot]

My truck has the light on the cup holder. It's an SLT

 

[cerberusiam]

The wiring for that courtesy light is there on all models. Was part of a fancier package but one could buy the harness and just plug it in on trucks that did not have it.

 

[Crunch]

The wiring for that courtesy light is there on all models. Was part of a fancier package but one could buy the harness and just plug it in on trucks that did not have it.

Hmmm...if it is for a light then there is constant power there. To me that means that it wouldn't be a big deal to clip off the connector and use the existing wires for something else. Maybe to provide power for a USB component, a light to something else, etc. Even a switch to fire rockets at a vehicle attacking from behind. As long as it's a low draw kind of thing it shouldn't cause any problems.

 

[cerberusiam]

No, it is hooked to the dash lights so not powered all the time. IIRC, the lower power outlet may be better.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

No, it is hooked to the dash lights so not powered all the time. IIRC, the lower power outlet may be better.

I think it's hooked to the dimmer as well...

 

[cerberusiam]

No, lower power receptacle will be live all the time or key switched not on a dimmer.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

I was referring to the cup holder light.

 

[Ozymandias]

LOL...so it's one of those fancy, big city options you can get for your truck. I definitely don't have a light in either the ashtray or cup holder, but the cup holder light would have burned out long ago since it has been open since I bought the truck. The only time it gets snapped up into place is when I vacuum or clean the inside of the truck.

I don't know what cerb means but that connector at the far right end of the center bezel that has his own pocket is and stays the airbag disable switch.
Ashtray, can holder and so on is on the left side of the center bezel.