98 TA Steering Wheel Lights

**klepp1214** · 04-28-2007, 03:20 PM

Just bought my first TA and im hammering out all the problems that I can find. I just replaced one of those tiny bulbs in the doorhandles and it came to my attention that my steering wheel radio controls are supposed to light up as well i guess... problem is they dont =(

anyone know how to replace the bulbs in the steering wheel? do the buttons just pop off or something?

**anniversary30** · 04-28-2007, 04:11 PM

1 of mine is burnt out also. From what I have seen you can change the bulb but it's kind of a pain. You might just go get a whole new control and replace it. then on top of lighting up you have a nice new clean set of switches. The other way entails pulling the switch apart and I think soldering a new bulb in.

**redwolf28** · 04-28-2007, 07:44 PM

There are 4 blubs in each switch assembly and they are soldered in. It is very difficult to get the board out of the switch body. It is easier to just buy a new one from the dealer. Cost me around $36.00. Also you have to remove the airbag to get enough slack in the wire to unplug it from the back of the switch.

**klepp1214** · 04-29-2007, 09:13 AM

so basically buy new switches from the dealer is the easiest way eh? Hope its the bulbs that are bad and not something else then! Either way thanks for the help! Will have to order some of those switches up then!

**redwolf28** · 04-29-2007, 02:16 PM

If the other switch lights are working, then it is burnt out blubs. The circuits for the switches and lights are 2 different circuits. If you can find the right blubs and can solder you could repair them yourself. I have a factory service manual and it doesn't give any info on the blubs, just the switches.

**klepp1214** · 04-29-2007, 04:51 PM

hmm youve got me slightly confused. The steering wheel controls do work, but they dont light up. As for "other" switch lights im not sure what your referring to. Finding the right bulbs to do the soldering however might be tricky.

**98 Gold Formula** · 04-29-2007, 05:10 PM

12v 50mA bi-pin lamp Radio shack Part #272-1154 $1.49

**Xenophon** · 04-29-2007, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by 98 Gold Formula

12v 50mA bi-pin lamp Radio shack Part #272-1154 $1.49

Obviously someone's done this before

**98 Gold Formula** · 05-01-2007, 01:23 PM

yep pretty easy just time consuming.

**SicWs6** · 05-01-2007, 01:35 PM

Check this site out, it saved me about $160. Hope it helps!http://www.stevendbrown.com/Steering...oControls.html

**klepp1214** · 05-01-2007, 07:26 PM

lol rock on thanks for the info and the link to the site!! hopefully I can post back w/ ease of installation!

**SicWs6** · 05-02-2007, 08:56 AM

i forgot to tell you, to make this even easier, buy a de- soldering iron. they are like $10 from any radio shack. this is for when you take out the old light that is already soldered in. i promise this will make your whole experience even easier, unless you know a way unsolder something. yeah let me know if it works out for ya!

**klepp1214** · 05-02-2007, 02:13 PM

I'll let ya know, i'm on it this saturday! Normally I would jsut buy new buttons seeing as though mine are losing some color. But color alone wont justify the 150 dollar difference in price i dont think =)

**klepp1214** · 05-04-2007, 03:06 PM

got the bulbs, got the switches out, got the bulbs in, now whats the trick/tactic to re installing the switches when there is zero room to plug the harness back in? booooo!

SSMOKIN_SS · 05-04-2007, 03:32 PM

When changing the bulb just make sure you don't accidently deploy the air bag.

**klepp1214** · 05-05-2007, 04:08 AM

yea bulbs are already changed, that went pretty much w/out a hitch, im just concerned with how to plug the darn switches back into the harness.. There is pretty much NO slack.