Little Help on inside electronics....

[96LX450-Nick]

Ive noticed an irritating thing lately. When my lights are on (at night for example) Ive noticed my interior dash lights dimming particularly the HVAC controls. Kind of a flicker on and off. It happens very randomly and not that often. Its like watching a lamp in the house that the plug has worked its way loose. Any ideas on what could be causing it and any fix? Im afraid its the light pipe behind the HVAC unit and they will eventually go out (Like the D on my PRNDL light)...
Thanks,
Nick
~96' LX450

 

[Beowulf]

Might be the dimmer rheostat. I'm not sure how to test it but it should be inexpensive and easy to replace.

-B-

 

[96LX450-Nick]

Thanks Beowulf,
Ony thing is I dont notice the change on the spedo and tach lights...only the HVAC...
Seems like if it was the dimmer it would effect all the interior dash lights??

 

[Beowulf]

Ony thing is I dont notice the change on the spedo and tach lights...only the HVAC...
Seems like if it was the dimmer it would effect all the interior dash lights??

Yes, but you didn't tell us that in your first post. You said "Ive noticed my interior dash lights dimming particularly the HVAC controls" not "I've noticed my HVAC control lights dimming plus the radio, but not the speedo and tach."

Good luck with your lights.

-B-

 

[96LX450-Nick]

Sorry for the confuson Beowulf
Thanks again for the idea. I will look into it...
Nick

 

[80t0ylc]

Nick,
I've noticed a similar symptom on my '94 HVAC lights only, on my dash. For me, it happens usually briefly after a cold engine start up when I change functions - like going from defrost to vents. Sometimes I hit one button and just the HVAC lights will dim or go out. I hit another button and - bingo- they're back on and steady. Setting on dimmer rheostat has no bearing on mine. Does one bulb illuminate all buttons and controls on HVAC? I haven't had that part of dash apart to investigate, yet.

 

[96LX450-Nick]

80t0ylc,
I have not torn into mine either. But my guess from what I know of interior HVAC lighting is yes one bulb for the entire HVAC. And there will be whats called a light pipe that directs the light to the correct location depending on which button is depressed though I would imagine its buried in an HVAC assembly module... it sounds like we are having the same issue though....

Nick

 

[96r50]

There are 3 bulbs that light up the HVAC controls. They are in a V shape, with two bulbs behind the top row and one bulb behind the fan speed controls. I kept noticing that one area of my controls kept going out randomly, so I replaced all three bulbs and now it's nice and bright. I suspect doing the same thing would solve your problem.

 

[80t0ylc]

Adam,
Come to think of it, I have the same symptom occasionally. Thanks for your post! Both Nick and myself will benefit from that info. Just need to tear into it now.