re: 164 temp readout backlights

[Jeff Matson <jsm8@domain.elided>]

Unless I'm missing something here, your 164 should have the
same temp readout backlighting as my '91 164L.  Once the
HVAC control unit is opened up and the first circuit board
unscrewed, you'll see the backlighting bulbs on the second
board.  There's a little light bulb behind each of the temp
LCDs that provides the happy green glow.  The bulb is in a
tiny plastic holder that twists 1/4 turn to remove.  I have
not found an aftermarket source for these bulbs (anyone
else?), but a dealer should be able to source them.  Failing
this, I have sucessfully removed the bulb from the holder
(with the metal contacts as well) and soldered a new 12V
bulb to the contacts, then carefully put the bulb and
contacts back into the holder.  It's delicate work, to say
the least, and you stand a decent chance of making a mess of
the whole affair.  Even done well, it's a "square peg, round
hole" type of fix; the bulb doesn't really fit in the
holder, and the contacts never really go back into the
holder properly, but it does usually get your backlighting
back into action if you're desperate or picky about such
details as I am.  FWIW, I think I have used Radio Shack bulb
272-1141A.  They've also got another possibility with
different leads in 272-1154, though I haven't tried it.

Jeff Matson
Harvard, MA
'91 164 L
'74 2000 GT Veloce

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