I have a 94 and apparently some of the switch background lights can not be replaced, you have to get a whole switch. the question i have is, has anyone tried to replace the light by removing the old light and replacing the bulb only. if so, where did you get the bulb from? the dealer, using the same bulb as a newer replaceable switch bulb? thanks Ken

Kanada

ALL switches can be repaired IF you take the time and trouble to disassemble and fix them, with few exceptions.

FYI a friend's 850 has an aircon switch with integral lamp. It frequently blows (poor design) and normally a new switch has to be bought. However, the old one will i=unclip, the switch can be broken down, the lamp on ht ePrinted Board inside replaced with a new one (12 - anything that will fit, preferably a longlife miniature lamp as used in telephone keypads etc). Rebuilding the switch is a little more difficult but all of this can be repaired on the kitchen table. You need a soldering iron to replace the lamp.

KP

most of these switches have 1 or 2(hazard warning) small bulbs that I bought in a "RadioShack" here in New York. their part # is 272-1092C, and it comes as 2 in a package.
You need to pull out a switch from the dash and find a small round white base that can be removed by a small screwdriver just like any screw. then you pull out of that base old bulb and thread the new one in (it has long wires as contacts). the price is $1.49+tax for 2.

thanks for the info, yurione. i got the Radio shack bulbs, took the swtiches apart and resoldered the rs bulbs. they are slightly brighter but not that noticable enough to warrant spending $30 per switch to replace it or switching all of them over to the new style switch which is even more bucks. i thought about taking on the of the replacement bulbs that volvo sells and changing to those ones, but they are $6 each versus $.75. you saved me a big big bill. thanks again. Ken

yurione, thanks for the info, unfortunately my switches are the type that doesn't have the replaceable plastic insert. i took the switch for the seat heater appart and it looks like its soldered onto the connector. I can probably still use the bulbs you recommended, just have to solder them inplace. question, is the intensity of the light given off the same as the other switches that you haven't had to replace, ie. the factory ones? thanks Ken

yea. thay are same brightness as original.

I've never tried replacing one of these, but if you can remove the bulb from the switch, identify it and find it's not readily available, try calling:

Mica Company
5960 A Deale-Churchton Road
Deale MD 20751
800-333-5292

I've used them for many years as a source for obscure replacement lamps for electronic test equipment, television and radio production equipment, etc. If there isn't an identifying number on the lamp, you might find voltage, current and wattage rating in a Haynes manual by finding the switch in a schematic diagram.

Lamps are like bearings in most cases in that for the most part, they're standard items manufacturers source elsewhere. (In this case it would be the switch manufacturer.)

Mica Co. is very reasonably priced in my experience and if you want to play detective you might save a few bucks. Let us know what you find out.

Good luck,
--
Erwin in Memphis, '95855t, '86 Guzzi LeMans, '76 Montesa 348 Cota