I have just sorted out the common dead bulb on the HVAC control panel issue. Lots of threads on how to remove the panel etc, but replacement bulbs can be a challenge if like me you want to buy rather than order and wait, and object to being fleeced.

The bulbs needed are:


(Credit for Image goes to LiteP 4X4 - Landy parts dealer in CZ)


If you replaced all 6 bulbs, with OE parts, the costs would be approx:

3 x JWH100060 (Larger Grey base, lluminates LCD panel) £6.50

2 x 8510251 (Smaller Black Base, illuminates Hot/Cold Buttons) £13.20

1 x JWH100070 (Smaller Grey Base, illuminates bottom buttons) £4.14

TOTAL OE Cost incl delivery £28,84, plus you have to wait...


If you recycle the grey bases and green 'condoms', the cost would be:

3 x Halfords HBU286G (Larger Grey base, lluminates LCD panel) £5.97

2 x Maplin WQ13 (Smaller Black Base, illuminates Hot/Cold Buttons) £3.58

1 x Maplin WQ13 (Smaller Grey Base, illuminates bottom buttons) £1.79

TOTAL Generic cost £11,34

Yes, the smaller three bases will all take the same size bulbs, simply unwrap the wire tails from the base, remove the bulb, insert the replacement, and re-wrap the wire tails. If you buy the Halfords green bulbs you don't need the condoms for the bigger bulbs.

Swapping the bulbs out took me a total of about 25 mins, from start to finish.

Leaving off the heat protection of the "condom" may cause issues as u have 3.6 watts of heat in the display panel, only a maybe but something to check.
That's the reason the manufactures didn't use painted bulbs, plus the paint will bubble up and fall off eventually.
All the micro control display units i've seen and used have them from car radios and switches to security and industrial displays before moving as they have done to using LEDs

Good point Discool - forgot to mention you could keep the condoms and use Halford HBU284 white bulbs

I went this route as it also ensures a uniform green colour.

I'd prefer to go to LED's for the longevity, but initial cost is an issue, and as I found out when converting my 90 to all LED's 'white' is not 'white' in LED world. And with the small bulbs you need to add resistors...

TigerHunter said:

Good point Discool - forgot to mention you could keep the condoms and use Halford HBU284 white bulbs

I went this route as it also ensures a uniform green colour.

I'd prefer to go to LED's for the longevity, but initial cost is an issue, and as I found out when converting my 90 to all LED's 'white' is not 'white' in LED world. And with the small bulbs you need to add resistors...

Click to expand...

That's right, it is not always plug and play with retro fitting of LED's and they are best viewed or best light is from the top not side on.

discool said:

they are best viewed or best light is from the top not side on.

Click to expand...

Too true - I think I threw away more LEDS than I need up fitting for that very reason - and what annoyed me is the manufacturers and often sellers of LED bulbs are not very clear on the light spread of the bulbs they sell - even the big shops often talk complete bollocks when describing their products

In celebration of 7 years of ownership I thought I'd get the HVAC panel bottom switch lights working.

Many thanks for the tips TigerHunter. BTW - Bottom switch bulb is now £1.49 at maplin.

If I can work out how to I would load an image of the bulbs half in the holder?

Tiger hunter - thank you for those tips - just what I was looking for. Out of interest, do you have any advice on the right type of widget to use to insert by the side of the panel to extract the unit?