I need to replace the light source for the "heater control unit" buttons in my 82 242. I assumed that they were small bulbs --- much like those providing light to the other center console controls. The Bentley manual diagram indicates an "illumination strip" of some kind.

I suppose the question is should I assume that I will be replacing the entire "illumination strip" or just single bulbs within it? If single bulbs what amp/size should will I need?

I am also interested in any tips that you guys may have in the replacement of this strip (as well as the other bulbs in the center console). Since I'm there I might as well do a faily complete job. Thanks.

David

If you're talking about the bulbs in the center console and not the ones in the parking brake console, hardknocks is right on.
If the bulbs are out you will only have to replace the tiny bubls, and you should have the tiny little 2w bubls, same as the idiot lights, instrument lights and seat belt lock lights too. But in my experience the brittle plastic light distribution bars in there are frequently broken by a previous bulb replacer, so you might want to have one on hand. Junkyards have a lot, and there are a couple different styles, some with pictograms and some with text.
The tiny 2w bulbs fit into a black plastic retainer with all the wiring, and that unit fits into a circular hole in the plastic light distribution bar.
The painful part is taking the console apart to get at the bulbs.
Good luck
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Logan
1981 242GLTi 1967.5 122S Automatic (tempermental)
Found a job! Moving to Seattle soon

hi there there are two strips the one you mention and one more above the other switches. one bulb lights each. i have seen some with the real small bulbs and some with the larger bulbs. its a plastic strip that conveys the light to each side of the bulbs. any way i load up with all kinds of bulbs at the junkyard which about half are no good. sorry i dont have the bulb numbers you can probably find them in the 700-900 FAQ. try not to move the wires around to much when wour digging around in the console. good luck

Just bulbs that need to be replaced. It's really easy to do.

I would first take the bulbs out, and then take them to Autozone, or where ever. They'll find what you need if you show them the bulb. (The kind I used are listed below.)

Here's a post that you may find useful as well. I made this a while back regarding the lights in the parking brake council, which you'll probably want to replace as well:

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As for the lights being out, it's pretty common. It's a pretty easy fix. The following post is going from what I have in my '77 244DL and '80 245DL.

Go to Autozone, or whatever your local "neighborhood" parts place is, and pick up some replacement bulbs... The type I found that work are Sylvania brand, # 2721 (W2.1W). Simple 12 volt, 2.1 watt bulbs. I believe the stock bulbs are 2 watts, but 2.1 watt bulbs will last a good amount longer, and won't be that much dimmer.

Move the 2 front seats to the all the way forward position. On either side of the E-Brake cover you will see a screw (shown circled in red in photo below.) Unscrew both of them. Don't loose the little black washers.



Next, Remove the ashtray... Push the metal tab down in the center and pull it out. Now, remove the back part of the ashtray, starting from the bottom, as shown here:


Brings us to here:

Now, with the ashtray out of the way, you can reach in and pop out the "FASTEN SEAT BELT" light and that little white piece of plastic. They come out fairly easy, just apply even pressure. Be Gentle. You don't want the pieces flying out of there, otherwise the wires can break.

(Pictures now come from my '80 wagon, because I had the cover off for other work I was doing.)


Now, to get the "FASTEN SEAT BELT" light apart, just pull the bulb out from the bottom as shown here:

Replacement of that bulb should be straight forward. NOTE: This bulb is of a different type then the others. I don't know what kind of bulb it is off hand, but I know it is the same light used to light up the glove box.


Now, you can put the bulb back in through the hole it came out of... To get the White plastic out of the way, turn it side ways, and push it inside. This gets the wires out of the way for when the cover is removed.

Now, with nothing connected to the E-Brake cover anymore, carefully lift it up from the back... Do it slowly. The front is held down by a little metal tab. Just push the cover forward a little bit, and it will break free.

Now, you should be here, with the cover completely removed.



To replace the light that illuminates the front seat belt release buttons, turn the plastic piece 90 degrees either direction. (I circled and pointed to the piece with in red in the above picture.) Pull the thing out:


Now, pull the light bulb out from the holder. Put one of the new bulbs in it's place. (It won't matter which way it goes in. Either way will work). Replace the socket in reverse of how it was removed.

Now, on to the white strip light... similar as above. Only difference is that your car may or may not have a bluish-green piece of plastic around the old burned out bulb (if there is even an old bulb there). You can easily remove it and put it over the replacement bulb. It's easier to do this before you put the new bulb in the socket. Some like to have the blue/green look for the light coming out, while others like it to just be white. It's up to you, either way makes no difference other then your preference.

Be a bit more careful when you replace this bulb. Make sure the bulb is going in-between the metal contacts, not on top of both sets of contacts. (It's real easy to damage the contacts if you don't replace the bulb carefully here.)

Now, test everything. Make sure no wires anywhere are touching a metal part of the car... Turn the parking lights on. Both the seatbelt release button light and white strip light should come one...



(Note: For the above picture, I turned the Key into the II position with out starting the car just to test the "FASTEN SEAT BELT" light.)

If everything works, Great! Turn off the lights, and put it back together in reverse... Make sure when you put the E-Brake cover on that you get the metal tab in the front under the parking brake lever to hook before you lower it...

To replace the ashtray, set it at the top, and snap it in on the bottom.

Hope this helps! (By the way, the reason I have one blue seat in my '77 on the drivers side because I got a good deal on it... It was actually a passenger seat which is why the reclining knob is on the wrong side, I couldn't figure out how to move it. As for the seats in the '80... 𖔞]K miles of use will do that to any seat. I haven't had Lumbar support since I can remember.)


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Hope this helps!
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If you listen to the radio in Portland, OR, you may know me as "Portland's Favorite Soul Brother!"