Instrument Panel Lights (some not working)

**scarpint** · 02-09-2009, 09:14 PM

Greetings all,

I've got a 2000 Yukon XL and a number of the lights in the instrument panel, radio, cassette and HVAC are not working. About 1/2 on the radio don't work.

Anything available the speaks to how to replace these lights? Could it be a fuse, though only some are not working?

Love my truck, but I'm bummed these lights are not working. What's the process for accessing these lights? I note a piece of trim around the dash that seems like it could come off with enought "force". How hard is it to get off?

Thanks for considering,

Tim

**Springthing** · 02-09-2009, 11:29 PM

Tim, unfortunately it seems as though you are due for a few new pieces in your truck. The heating/air controls are a module that needs to be replaced. As far as I know there is no way to open it up and change out the lights. The ones in the cluster you should be able to get to. There is a write-up about it in the Write-Up and How-To forum. The radio is the same as the heater/air unit.. there is no way, to my knowledge, to crack it open to replace the lights. It just may be time for a new one. Fortunately for you if you want to stay with factory radio you can most likely to and find an exact replacement at a salvage yard. Not only that but they are normally really inexpensive. The same goes for the heating/ac controller. You shouldn't have to spend more than, say, about $50 for those two.

Good luck,

**05azsilver** · 02-10-2009, 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by Springthing

Tim, unfortunately it seems as though you are due for a few new pieces in your truck. The heating/air controls are a module that needs to be replaced. As far as I know there is no way to open it up and change out the lights. The ones in the cluster you should be able to get to. There is a write-up about it in the Write-Up and How-To forum. The radio is the same as the heater/air unit.. there is no way, to my knowledge, to crack it open to replace the lights. It just may be time for a new one. Fortunately for you if you want to stay with factory radio you can most likely to and find an exact replacement at a salvage yard. Not only that but they are normally really inexpensive. The same goes for the heating/ac controller. You shouldn't have to spend more than, say, about $50 for those two.

Good luck,

Tim, I'm going to have to agree with Steven on this one. Now the problem is finding the units at a salvage yard.

Good Luck

**Kdogg05** · 02-19-2009, 04:34 PM

Ive got a 2005 silverado with the same problem. is there any way to replace those instrument panel lights?

**Springthing** · 02-19-2009, 05:19 PM

Gauge cluster, yes. Modules (a/c, radio, etc) no. You would have to pry the modules apart (aka "break them"), most likely unsolder and then resolder... I have no clue. I took apart a 4wd push-button module and it was apparent that the main (turning on the parking lights) bulbs could be replaced but the button themselves used LEDs...have a looksee here.

If you want to replace lights in the instrument cluster, then have a look at this thread. PMF608 did a great write-up on bulb swaps.

**Hynek** · 12-30-2012, 05:02 PM

hi, I have chevy suburan 1500, my dashboard lights not working. I checked the fuses seem ok. The second what I found in this time is, when I turn on headlights the clock or radio number is lost. I do no know if these two things are associated together. Can you help me

**RayVoy** · 12-30-2012, 06:05 PM

The dash lights are fused (you've checked this), they also only light when the headlights are on.
The brilliance can be turned down and maybe off, check your headlight assembly for a knob that might change the brilliance of the dash lights, maybe it's turned off.

**Hynek** · 12-30-2012, 06:16 PM

Thank you, all separate lights

(winkers, airback, ABS etc

.) is working only the backlight of the dashboard is not working.

**Kady** · 12-30-2012, 10:32 PM

Like RayVoy said, You probably have the knob turned all the way down... Especially if when you turn your headlights on your radio/time lights go out? That usually happens if you have the int. switch set to off.

**Jamm3r** · 12-31-2012, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by Springthing

Gauge cluster, yes. Modules (a/c, radio, etc) no. You would have to pry the modules apart (aka "break them"), most likely unsolder and then resolder... I have no clue.

I have done this on my Dodge Charger, which has soldered-down incandescent lights inside the a/c module. It was time well spent, and the new bulbs have lasted longer than the original. These sorts of failures are fairly common if you drive at night a good deal either as a result of your schedule or because you live at higher latitudes where there are short days in the winter. If you're reasonably good with a soldering iron, it's an easy fix. I was able to find some lights that worked at the local NAPA, not exact replacements but close enough.