How to Replace Bulbs on Climate Control Cluster?

[Mako825]

I'm new to the Forum, but have had my 2003 Ford Expedition since i purchased it in late November 2002. My Expedition has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. But now it's time to take care of a few minor issues.

Does anyone know what's involved (how) to replace the bulbs that illuminate the 3 Climate Control switches? I searched the Forum and didn't find anything. If you have done this and can share, that would be great. Or, if you can point me in the direction of where I can lookup the information I need, that would be great too.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

Mako825 in Charlotte, NC

 

[Mako825]

An update on the backlight bulbs for the Climate Control switches.... I have "manual" climate control switches that you can see in the 1st picture. In order to pull it out to get to the bulbs, you have to first remove the large one-piece dash gauge cover that not only covers the climate control switches, but also covers the gauges in the instrument panel (speedometer, oil pressure, etc)

But I was able to search on YouTube for some videos on how this is done and learned that you don't necessarily have to completely remove the dash gauge cover. You can just loosen it enough to get to the climate control switches.

In the 2nd picture, you can see where there are two 7mm screws that you remove first. Then adjust your steering wheel to a lower position. With the parking brake on, move the transmission selector to a lower position. Using a soft trim tool, slide it around the edges and pop off the dash gauge cover.

Once the dash gauge cover is loose, picture 3 shows the multiple push-on wire connectors that connect onto the rear of the manual climate control unit. Being careful not to break them, figure out how to remove each of the plastic wire connectors from the back of the manual climate control unit. Once the wire connectors are disconnected, you can pull the Climate Control unit out of the center console.

Picture 4 shows the location of the 2 removable bulbs on the rear of the Climate Control unit.

Picture 5 is the bulb itself that can be removed by twisting it until it becomes free from the Climate Control unit.

The challenge is that there are no markings on the bulb that clearly identifies the part number so I can buy replacements. I went to O'Reilly's and they have 2 aftermarket bulbs by Dorman - but they cannot say which once fits my Ford. I went to the Ford Dealership and they told me that the bulbs aren't sold separately and that I'd have to buy a whole new Climate Control unit.

Question: Does anyone know how to find a replacement bulb for this Climate Control unit?

Thanks
Mako825

 

[Mako825]

Another update.... Of the two bulbs in the manual Climate Control unit, I removed them both and cleaned up the contacts and put them back in. After cleaning, one worked, but one did not. So I went out to eBay and found a seller that had a bulb that the seller said would fit. So I ordered it and installed it when it arrived. So both are working now.

For reference for those that have the same issue, the attached picture shows the bulb part number I purchased.

Mako825 in Charlotte, NC

 

[1955moose]

What's the actual bulb number, IE #912,,#53, etc

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[Mako825]

1955moose - To my knowledge, there is no bulb # in the traditional sense (like you would normally find for replacing say a license plate or brake light bulb with a Sylvania product). In the case of this Climate Control bulb, the bulb is integrated with the plastic base that twists into place. The Ford part # for this is F7LZ-13B765-BA (see picture above). Hope this helps

 

[Prince_Polaris]

Do the rear climate knobs on the roof light up? I've always wondered about it, since they _look_ like they should.

 

[1955moose]

Good news is their available online too. Don't know if their Chinese knock offs, probably are.

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[Mako825]

Do the rear climate knobs on the roof light up? I've always wondered about it, since they _look_ like they should.

Prince_Polaris - Yes, the rear climate control switch knobs light up when the headlights are on. The ones (for passengers in the rear seat) that are on the back side of the center console also light up. Don't know if they use the same bulb as the main Climate Control unit (and hope I don't have to find out!)

 

[Mako825]

Good news is their available online too. Don't know if their Chinese knock offs, probably are.

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1955moose - The time spent finding the correct part # was the real work in all of this. And yes, with the part #, you can Google and find them from multiple sources. Dorman makes one that looks really "iffy" (like a lot of their products). I bought mine off of eBay and it's Ford OEM.

 

[1955moose]

Good deal. Like too many parts available, I've done best with Ford bulbs. Wish these aftermarket companies could even get close to oem quality. It's like everything else in life, you get what you pay for.

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