i edited my previous statement it didnt look like the letters could show light, and it was daytime, so even with the lights on it still looked off.

anyways, here is what they should look like on a 96+ riv. (yes i'm that bored, i just went out in my garage to take this pic )

That bulb looks like one of the GE #74 or #194 type. Does the bulb have a number printed on it? As for the #74, sometimes WalMart has them; pretty much all the time you can find them at Advantage and AutoZone. In CLEAR though. Sometimes you can find the #168 in turquoise or green. For a clear bulb, to get the turquoise you will need a paint marker, available at a craft store. THey are intended for painting "stained glass" for hobbyists BUT wonder of wonders they are the perfect color for incandescent dash bulbs. The marker is the Vitrea 160 "glass paint" "glossy marker" #116084, UPC 3-167861-160841. It comes with instructions for glass - BUT basically what you do is clean the bulb with 91% or stronger alcohol (not drinking hooch, just drugstore Isopropyl), then put the bulb back in holder (for convenience) and allow to air dry. Then evenly paint one coat of the glass paint on the bulb; do NOT give a second coat, do NOT overlap strokes, do NOT leave white/clear spots (don't worry you'll get the hang of it and if not just use alcohol and a paper towel to get the paint off, rinse with alcohol and allow to air dry, then do it again). Allow the paint to air dry (IIRC takes an hour or so) then reinstall the bulb. The paint will bake on with the heat from the light when operating.

Albertj

Thanks all...very helpful to see the lamp and where it installs. I have a few leftover bulbs from my HVAC Control Panel/Radio bulb replacement project, so I should be able to work something up. Interesting how the '95 uses the Rear Defog button instead of TRAC CNTL!

Bears#1 Fan Bill...ditto on the great-looking '97!

If you can tell me how big is the bulb I can figure it out.

If the bulb is hard-wired into the base, you could replace it with a grain-of-wheat bulb. Same paint-pen drill as I described above to get it the right color. If you happen to find any number that would help. If I got a better look at the bulb - odds are that one of the LED sites selling instrument panel bulbs has them made up already.

Edit: because of where you are you might want to call to see if any car radio repair places have the bulbs and will sell you some "cash and carry." When I lived in Pittsburgh I would buy appliance parts from a repair shop at jobber prices - the guy said 'if you can get it apart you deserve to get parts;' there were signs up about no counter sales and such but that basically ws to discourage yahoos. Kind of like a deli in NYC I go to that always has an Out Of Order sign up on the bathroom. It works. They just don't want non-customers camping out and stinking the place up.

Albertj


Albertj

Anyone know if the headlight switch is illuminated in the same manner? One side of my switch is dark, the other is lit up. Headlights work fine, just the illumination.

Similiar issu that i have just started recognizing in my car. the passenger climate control. is it supposed to light up? at present the only thing that does light up are the red amber and green temp indicator does but none of the letters. Do these normally? and if so anyone know if it is the same way as the trac/trip switch as in one bulb hardwired? looks like i may have another trip to pull apart in my near future. assuming 95s are the same as 98s. any verification of this also?

Sounds like he is talking about the "passenger climate control" on the passenger door? They are the same for all years I’m pretty sure, and yes they do light up. I can't say for sure but I believe they have the same lights in them that the dash switches do, like the one I posted a picture of in a different post?

Yes the switch and guage on the passenger door. not the main HVAC unit. I think randall pretty much answered my questions spot on. thanks alot.