Greetings O Volvo Gurus!

Hoping you can all clarify for me the procedure for replacing the bulbs to illuminate the controls for AC in my Volvo wagon?

The backlit switches all work, it's the top row of the center console that are out. My Haynes manual isn't crystal clear in this area and I'm afraid of hearing the sound of snapping plastic if I just try to figure it out as I go along!

Also, I have the coin tray -- will that affect things?

Thanks much in advance!

Dave

It's not a hard job, if you are careful and DISCONNECT the battery first.

You must move the control panel front piece away from the dash.

Remove both side kick panels. The plastic piece takes a 1/4 turn with a large flat tip screwdriver. Not much force needed. The bolt at the top of that panel must be removed. Remove the two screws at the bottom of the control panel front (they're below the lower radio mount hole).

Now you can pull the top of the central panel towards the rear of the car. Easy does it. You must look down in there and find the bulb holders. It is easier if the coin tray is removed. Same flat tip, stuch in between the bottom of the tray and the top of the panel at one end, and twist. There are two "Pop On" clips at each end of the tray. Once it's off you'll see how easy it is. the tray can bend, just bend it back, a little dipped in the center for a tight fit.

The bulbs are all connected together with a brown (hot side) wire and a black wire. The upper bulb is in the very center, there's only one. Use a mirror to see up under the coin tray. Lower level bulbs are visible, just harder to reach.

I usually get a batch of 10 of the little bulbs, available at AutoZone. the Volvo designation is W2x4.6d. That one is also used for all the idiot lights, lighted switches, shift indicator, and the white light on the back of the console. Lotsa places.

Sometimes it's easier to seen down in behind the panel if you do the job after dark using a flashlight. That way the bright sun won't pinpoint your pupils, and the wider pupils will see better down in there. Also the flashlight, as opposed to a trouble light, can spot the black bulbholders quite well.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

If you mean the lighting for the big pushbuttons then there are 3 small bulbs that fit into holders inside the console face, the light comes down onto the buttoms and slide lever thru 3 small slits under the top edge of the panel..

Remove the screw on each side of the colsone kick panels and the plug at the bottom, remove the side covers and then remove the 2 screws at the bottom belkow the ashtray. Slide the console out and tilt it back and look for BROWN wiring going to the 3 holders. Swap the bulbs (available at NAPA) and reverse the procedure.

The illuminated switches have a single bulb holder in each that holds a small 12v bulb.