lgs 98dx

The light behind the heater control panel finally went out for good
For awhile it would come back on when the control levers were moved

I thought you should be able to just remove the cover panel over the heater controls
But I checked the manual this morning and it looks like you have to remove the entire center panel and disconnect the heater control cable and all the wiring just to get at the bulb(s) for the heater control panel

So, is the manual correct?

If it is, then how difficult is it to remove everything just to get at the bad bulb?

Thanks!
Lg

lgs 98dx

bump for any suggestions...

matthew_burnett

I dont know if it is possible but would you be able to get to them thru the radio opening? I know you would pretty much be blind fishing for em but it may save some time? Just my two cents

lgs 98dx

I'll look at this option, but access to bulbs via the radio opening may be very difficult and by braille
Thanks

lgs 98dx

I went to Honda today and they printed the heater control removal page from the shop manual

Removal seems fairly involved

1. Remove the driver's dashboard lower cover, the glove box and the center dashboard lower control cover

2.Disconnect the air mix control cable from the heater unit

3. Remove the rear window defogger switch, the hazard warning switch and the audio unit

4. Disconnect the connectors from the heater control panel. Remove the five self-tapping screws and the center panel together with the heater control panel
The Honda tech cautioned me to be very careful with the trim around the center panel as it has a tendency to break on removal, too much fun just to replace 2 tiny bulbs

Once the center panel is out, then assume you have access to the two tiny 14v bulbs behind the heater control panel

Part # 79629-SR3-003
$7.76 each

Stock 99

LOL, it'll be even funnier if the bulbs are just loose and not burnt out. Sorry don't mean to poke fun. If you were thinking about putting a new stereo in it now would be a good time.

I did my '99 last year it's a bit different then yours but yeah you've got to pull most of the dash apart to get at it. It's not that hard just be patient when you're pulling stuff apart so you don't break anything.

lgs 98dx

Bulbs finally replaced today

Honda instructions are fairly close

This is what I did:
1. disconnected the battery

2. remove lower panel on driver's side - straight forward removal
3 screws and 3 compression type push in attachment points

3. empty glove box, then to get to swing out of the dash press in near the back on both sides so that the rubber stoppers clear the frame work. It will swing all the way open. Provides access to 2 screw that secure the center panel, 1 at the top & 1 at the bottom

4. Remove the center lower trim panel
2 screws in the center area above the power point
2 screws on the left side 1 at top & 1 at bottom
2 screws on the right side 1 at top & 1 at bottom
(now accessible with glove box swung down )

5. Remove the radio
Mine is a Panasonic so you have 2 tab tools that came with the radio to release the deck from the mounting bracket.
I did have to push on the deck from the back to get it to move
Unplug the main wiring connection & antenna from the rear of the radio

6. Remove the hazard switch & rear window defogger assemblies
Used a plastic trim removal tool to get under the button trim, then it pops out
Next disconnect the wiring plug
The defogger wire has very little slack so its a bit more than the hazard side

7. Unplug the heater control wiring harness
Up under the dash, but not too bad

8. disconnect the heater control cable where it is attached near the firewall
You need to close the glove box up to access this
the cable snaps out of the spring steel holder, then remove the cable end where it attached

9. Remove the 5 screws that secure the center panel
2 are in the openings where the hazard & rear window defogger switches were (kind of way back there, when installing you really need a magnetic screw driver tip)
2 are on the bottom
The last one is on the rear (tail) of the heater control assembly up under & inside the dash. Not too bad once you find it. The Honda directions appeared to show it being accessed from the front, but that is incorrect.

10. Using a trim panel tool gently pry around the edges of the entire center panel
The top seemed to come out much easier than the bottom

11. Unplug the green wiring connector to the rear of the heater control assembly. This is another short wiring harness, so just be patient
The release for the connector is on the bottom, so I used the trim panel tool to press & release it

12. Remove the center panel pulling the heater control cable out with it

13. Put the panel on a working surface face down
There are 2 bulbs to replace
You can remove these without taking the heater control assembly from the center panel.

I did connect the green wiring harness to the heater control assembly, then connected the battery so that I could check that the bulbs did work before putting everything back together.
It's easier to connect the harness below where the power point is than putting the panel in the center area

Reverse the steps to re-install all the pieces

That's it
Larry