99 subie outback

The A/C button bulb is definitely replaceable...I've done it!

 

Once you slide out the A/C button assembly (the long rectangular piece with the button) you need to carefully separate the housing. There are four little tabs that hold the two halves together. You need about four hands to try and get them all at once, without re-engaging, but it is possible with a few small screwdrivers. Once you separate the halves (be careful, as I recall there is a spring in there that wants to go flying) you can access the bulb. I replaced mine with the 12V Radio Shack standard bulb. It is in a similar housing with the twist base like any of the other small dash bulbs.

The RS bulb was a mm or two longer, which caused it to catch on a small nub of plastic once the two halves were snapped back together. The button would still function, but it would get hung up and not fully push back out because of the friction. I took the housing apart again and ground down the nub (three seconds with my Dremel) a few mm and that was enough to gain clearance for the bulb. Reassembled and it works good as new.

Haha, got you on the outback forum! Thanks again so much! Thanks so much! But I feel like an idiot. I either didn't have the car running, I swear I did though, or it just decided to work. Because yesterday when I left work I tried it and it lights up! Replaced the hazard switch bulb too!

Thanks to everyone for the help and info!

Oh man that was so long ago I don't have the car anymore but If I remember you have to pull up slowly because the board is still connected so you have to go slow and make sure nothing is caught

lol thanks dude. I feel kinda dumb now. on the way home from work I tried the a/c and it works haha. and as for the the hazard I got it figured out. thanks anyway.

I took my whole control apart.. It's Not hard.. but be careful because stuff will pop out and fly..

 

Anyways i hope these LED's will last longer then my last.. but it might of been my alternator that killed my LED's in the HVAC controls and behind my gauges..

 

anyways here you go

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/SubaruWRX/IMAG0461-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/SubaruWRX/IMAG0460-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/SubaruWRX/IMAG0455-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/SubaruWRX/IMAG0453-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/SubaruWRX/IMAG0457-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/SubaruWRX/IMAG0465-1.jpg

 

only reason why I took it all apart because of the space and how I had to flip the LED's the other way around and it was just annoying because of the space.

 

Oh and that AC switch bulb is replaceable (dealer says it's not and no part #) mine was never blown but just so you know

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/SubaruWRX/IMAG0462-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/SubaruWRX/IMAG0463-1.jpg

Hey man, how did you get it all the way apart/get the A/C switch out? I think my bulb is burnt out. Also, the hazard switch lights up? What!?