DIY: Replacing climate control lighting

Hey there,

New here and wanted to share a quick DIY for those if you who can’t see your climate control knobs at night. Unless you have a short, your issue will most likely be burnt out bulbs. Here’s how to replace those!

Remove 5 bolts. Be care full not to drop the ones near the vents in the vent (magnetic screwdriver recommended). Once bolts are removed pull trim out starting from the top. Be gentle but subtle.


This is what your see when the trim is out. I’ve circled the three bulbs that are responsible for the lighting of your knobs. Simply twist counter clockwise and pull. It’s only one click away.



Simply pull off the bulb from the switch. They should slide right out. They come covered with these green covers and the bulbs themselves have a coat of paint on the tip. I think they just wanted to dim them down so they aren’t too bright.... I chose all out brightness and installed non modified bulbs
You’ll need some “168” replacement bulbs. I purchased a set of ten on eBay for $7-$8 shipped. Box has info of eBay store I purchased from as reference.



At this point reverse the process. Push the the bulb into switch, twist and click back on (test by turning on headlights), reinstall trim and 5 screws. Let there be light

Very easy process. Took me 5ish minutes. I hope this helps at least one of you.

 

Did this on my phone. Should have read over it to correct some of the auto corrects before posting. Hate when my phone switches my words up . Either way, hopefully you understand what I was trying to convey.

 

Nice write up. You can also throw LED's in there for a modern look, FYI.

 

Im OCD about cars. If I installed LEDs there I would need to do it on every other accessory to match May do so at some point in the future. I’m not apposed to it at all

 

Understood. Several of us have converted every interior light to LED. Our trucks are surprisingly easy to take apart. I can tell you the instrument cluster looks a lot nicer with LED's. Do a search here and you can find a lot of pictures on the subject.

 

Anyone know if there is lighting in the armrest control panels. I've had my 03 Tundra since new, and we feel we remember that there was lighting in those controls. Removed the unit from the door panel but it doesn't want to seperate after removing the 3 tiny screws holding on the bottom section. Don't want to force unless I know for certain there is a bulb to be found. Any advice helps.

 

Not sure I’ll definitely check it out for you next time I drive the truck at night. Mine could be out too so ‍♂️

 

any help is huge! just relamped entire dash and climate control panel to led. awesome in deep blue. overheads and courtesy all in 6k white. exterior all in 6k white except for front directioals that are amber. just don't want to miss anything if i can help it.

 

Anyone know the bulb number for the driver's kick panel courtesy light?

 

In my 2004, Driver side footwell and glove box both use type 37 incandescent or type 74 LED.

 

i used number 194 in a LED in that location

 

Those that have replaced their climate control and such lights with LEDs- Are they annoyingly bright and are you able to dim them? I really wouldn't mind getting a nice green LED setup that would sort of match the gauge cluster. I know I at least want to do the ring around the key cylinder. I was a member did that in red and it was awesome looking.

 

Not at all. And yes, you can dim them. The LEDs inside are really nice. Once you switch you'll wish you had done it earlier, especially the instrument cluster.

 

Looks like I have my next project after I button up my front end and finish some storage/bed stuff.

 

OP thanks for the post! It was one of those things that was just bugging me since I bought my Tundra a couple months ago. Quick and easy, and got it done right before church.

 

the hvac panel dims with the instrument cluster. it is nice

 

Now THIS is how to introduce yourself: with a well-written and nicely illustrated how-to. As somebody who was trying to figure all this out last night - and gave up on precisely these knobs - a hearty thank you!

And, crucially, this thread: https://www.tundras.com/threads/tundra-replacement-bulbs.233/

@rwds13m could you get who ever is in charge of that thread to update it with your climate control bulb numbers?

Also, ideally, all the other buttons and switches (2WD/4WD, recirc, AC, etc.)?

As a side note, it would be REALLY handy to have that list turned into a table, complete with the NUMBER OF BULBS required in each location. And "beam angles", too, while I'm at it. I might even volunteer to get it started, if that helps.

Can somebody help me understand the following terms:

stepwell (superbrightleds.com at least)
step / courtesy light (on that tundras.com bulb listing)
footwell (which I understand, but is NOT on the tundras.com listing)
interior door (which I understand, but is NOT on the tundras.com listing and is on superbrightleds.com)

PS <pseudo-IT nerd alert> change your headunit bluetooth password. :-D

 

@TX-TRD1stGEN was it you that made that handy chart for all the LED's?

 

Yup it's in the first Gen info dump thread

Link

https://www.tundras.com/threads/1st-gen-tundras-info-dump.52214/#post-1393021

 

Thanks, but I was referring to LED beam angles - when searching on superbrightleds.com, for example, there are often choices of 32, 90, 120, 360, etc, as in the angle of the beam they project.

I can imagine that this might matter as the same bulb types might be used in very different applications, for which it would be useful to know the ideal beam angle.

 

The bulbs being removed have very wide beam angles so I would go wider if possible.

 

Ifl

 

Just marking my territory. I want to upgrade my head unit and figured I could get some
New bulbs installed.

 

Just finished this. Not that I had problems seeing my climate control. But it looks great at night.
Thanks for the write up!

 

Do you know if this chart will work with a 2006 DC?

 

This LED/upgraded lighting conversion on my 04 DC has been quite the odyssey for me. With help from the chart, here's what I've accomplished without an inordinate amount of frustration.
-Blue map lights, door lights and dome lights- T10s
-White LED overhead light
-New headlights and fog lights
-A really nice new third brake light/cargo lamp replacement unit here's the link on Ebay , just a real game changer for the look

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-High-M...ight-For-2000-2006-Toyota-Tundra/131475874884

as was this one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-2005-2...-Tundra-SMD-License-Plate-Lights/233311773186

New LED reverse lights as well. Got a bunch of stuff on order that should be here in a day or two, or three months... whichever comes first. Also am in the process of getting refunded for front blinkers that were heralded as anti-hyper flash and the lights went crazy the moment they were installed. Need a recommendation on front and rear LED blinkers, not sure if buying the switchbacks is worth it. Anyone who's experienced that product I'd appreciate your review. I guess the total for a complete turn signal LED replacement is 6 bulbs, correct? Four in front, two in back. Also, need to know your reviews on the brake light bulb replacement in the rear.

Here's a couple of products in my queue. If anyone as info or would suggest heading in a different direction, please share.

Now, here's a question for those in the know (this forum seems to be rife with people who know a bunch.)
There are five tiny bulbs housed in the dome lighting assembly, you know the one with the sunglass holder and dome light controls. It's an easy enough piece to detach, a couple of phillips screws and pop off the unit, then disconnect the harness. Tried replacing them with t5's and of course a no-go, too big. So is there an LED replacement for these five bulbs and more importantly WHAT THE HECK ARE THEY ILLUMINATING?!

For everyone's edification, the OEM part number is 90010-09015. Just want to know if I should bother with replacement, they all seem to be working, but I'm not even sure what they control. And, yes... I'm an idiot.

For the record...

 

Just went out to the garage with a screwdriver and some LED's I had laying around from an old project. Threw em in and now my nightly frustration is a Christmas light show. Thanks for the inspiration to get off my butt and do an easy but rewarding job!