The last of the HVAC lights be dead...

[Crunch]

The final light in my HVAC console went out the other day, and I am considering the best way to replace them. I can go with OEM replacement bulbs, which I have no problem with. Or I could go with LED bulbs, which use less power, last longer and are brighter. My only concern about the LED bulbs is that they will be too bright, even when the dash lights are turned down low. Has anyone here gone the LED route? How did you like the results?

 

[lunk2002]

I just replaced mine two weeks ago. I used these from superbrightleds.com
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Not bright at all. Turned out to look blue though. Which I like. #ad

The B8.5D bulbs don’t fit very well into the HVAC unit. I had to trim them with a side cutter. I think the B8.4Ds would be a better fit.

 

[Crunch]

I just replaced mine two weeks ago. I used these from superbrightleds.com

Not bright at all. Turned out to look blue though. Which I like.
The B8.5D bulbs don’t fit very well into the HVAC unit. I had to trim them with a side cutter. I think the B8.4Ds would be a better fit.

Thanks! That's great info. Based on the images you posted, I'm guessing that you replaced both the lights in your HVAC console, and your dash board. I have a few dash lights burned out, but I'm dreading removing the dash to replace them, so I am waiting for a few more to go before I replace them. Are the bulbs the same for the dash and HVAC, and how many bulbs needed for the dash and HVAC console?

 

[lunk2002]

Thanks! That's great info. Based on the images you posted, I'm guessing that you replaced both the lights in your HVAC console, and your dash board. I have a few dash lights burned out, but I'm dreading removing the dash to replace them, so I am waiting for a few more to go before I replace them. Are the bulbs the same for the dash and HVAC, and how many bulbs needed for the dash and HVAC console?

Mines an 08. Yes I did the dash and replaced one in the HVAC. I didn’t do all three because the B8.5D bulbs don’t fit very well.
There are 5 in the cluster and 3 in HVAC.
Here’s a good video that shows how to disassemble the dash. The video claims they are the same bulb. I found the B8.5D fit great in the gauge cluster but they were to wide for the HVAC. Looking at the specs on the bulbs I believe the HVAC requires B8.4D bulbs.
https://youtu.be/Ih_mGM_25T8

 

[Crunch]

Mines an 08. Yes I did the dash and replaced one in the HVAC. I didn’t do all three because the B8.5D bulbs don’t fit very well.
There are 5 in the cluster and 3 in HVAC.

After your testimonial and seeing the video I am definitely on board for these LED lamps. The only question is whether the B8.5/8.4D-WHP lamps will also fit a 2003 model. I checked the Super Bright LED site, but when I input my make, year and model of truck I didn't see a selection for instrument panel lights. Have these lamps changed between the 2003 and 2008 models?

 

[lunk2002]

This thread I found on another forum may be what your after.
Admin please delete if not allowed.
http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/3...sh-light-bulb-replacement.html#/topics/261275

 

[Crunch]

This thread I found on another forum may be what your after.
Admin please delete if not allowed.

Thanks for posting the video. Very detailed and informative. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the lamps you found will fit my '03. The '03 also used a different set of bulbs for the HVAC controls. Based on other searches, the bulbs for the '03 may only be available from a dealer, as well.

 

[lunk2002]

I copy and pasted the part number from that thread and searched it on superbrightled It showed a bulb from a Jeep Liberty cluster from 03 or 04.
Why they don’t have applications for the trucks I don’t know.

 

[Ozymandias]

Just to mention it in this Thread too.
All of this works ONLY for the Single Heater.
The bulbs of the Dual Zone Aircon are NOT changeable, exept with soldering.

Been there done that.

 

[Crunch]

Just to mention it in this Thread too.
All of this works ONLY for the Single Heater.
The bulbs of the Dual Zone Aircon are NOT changeable, exept with soldering.

Been there done that.

Fortunately, mine is the single heater but that is definitely good info for some people to have. Who the heck would design a lamp system with bulbs that can't be changed?

I copy and pasted the part number from that thread and searched it on superbrightled It showed a bulb from a Jeep Liberty cluster from 03 or 04.
Why they don’t have applications for the trucks I don’t know.

Looks like a trip to the dealer for me...maybe I'll even get the air bag recall done at the same time.:-laf

 

[rashwor]

My '05 HVAC bulbs were dealer only items. 3 bulbs in HVAC. $36 if I remember. Easy enough to change if you want to do it. Been there done that and I can walk you through it if you want.

The instrument cluster removal is not bad either. I think it is 8 or 9 bulbs and you can get them aftermarket at a much better price.

When I have one go out, I just go ahead and replace them all while I am in there. Saves piece milling every few weeks or months and wishing I had done them all to begin with while I was in there last week / month.

 

[Crunch]

My '05 HVAC bulbs were dealer only items. 3 bulbs in HVAC. $36 if I remember. Easy enough to change if you want to do it. Been there done that and I can walk you through it if you want.

The instrument cluster removal is not bad either. I think it is 8 or 9 bulbs and you can get them aftermarket at a much better price.

When I have one go out, I just go ahead and replace them all while I am in there. Saves piece milling every few weeks or months and wishing I had done them all to begin with while I was in there last week / month.

I figured it would be a fair amount of coin if they were dealer-only items. Do you remember what the part #'s were for both the HVAC lights and dash lights? It would be nice to switch to LED's for both, but if they aren't available, so be it. I've seen the center bezel removed, and it looks like a piece of cake. Removing the dash to get to the instrument cluster lights is more involved, so I'm planning on waiting until a few more bulbs burn out before I crack it open. I definitely agree that if you go into the dash to replace one bulb, you may as well replace them all given the time and effort involved getting to them.

 

[rashwor]

I checked and could not find the part numbers easily. I had them at one time, but I can't find them now.

 

[Crunch]

I checked and could not find the part numbers easily. I had them at one time, but I can't find them now.

Thanks for trying. I was able to find my copy of the '03 parts manual and found some numbers there that I believe are correct, unless the part number has changed over the years. The part# I found is 04827989AA. However, another site lists the part # as 4839738AA. Either way, the Super Bright LED didn't list them. Amazon doesn't have them, and eBay has a price range that is all over the place--from just under $3 to more than $30, and everything in between. For the high end items the quantity listed is "1", but I'd like to believe that is a set of 10 and not just one bulb. I'm kind of surprised that Geno's doesn't sell them. Also, the digital parts manual I have shows the quantity to be 11, but everywhere else I look the number is 10. Maybe there is a mystery bulb in some hidden location...

EDIT: After trying various search parameters, I think I have been able to locate replacement LED's for the '03 on Super Bright LED's website. Their part description is PC74, with a part number being T1.5-CWHP (cool white), T1.5-BHP (blue). They list them for the 2003 Jeep Liberty, which apparently uses the same bulbs as the Dodge trucks. Based on the reviews, there is some concern about the 120* angle of the beam, to which the site staff responded:

Thanks for taking the time to write a review. In applications where where you need the light more evenly spread I would suggest using the 74-xHP3 bulb in your existing sockets or it can also be used in the T1.5 bulbs socket.

 

[rashwor]

Crunch, my service manual for my '05 calls for part #05135537AA as the bulb(s) in the A/C Heat control panel. I believe there are 3 of them. Hope this helps!