Replacing bulbs in steering wheel switches

[johndjmix1]

Just about everyones steering wheel switches begin to stop lighting up around 50,000 miles.....not a big deal but very annoying. After some searching I found the bulbs and figured out how to do this really easy. To do 2 switchs, start to finish took me less than 30 minutes.

You need 3 tools: Soldering iron (Small tip), hooked dental pick tool, and needle nose pliers. A electronics holder "helping hands" is nice to have and a little solder might be necessary.

First go buy the bulbs, go to radio shack and go to the little bins where they keep bulbs and other small electronic parts. Get part #272-1092 (Also on the bag is #7219). It comes with 2 bulbs, i suggest replacing both as if one went the other is close to going also.

Contrary to what others say, there is NO NEED TO REMOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. Removing the wheel is just a waste of time. DO NOT REMOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. Get the point?

Using the needle nose, grab the little plastic rib in the center of the 2 switches and pull. The switchs come out easily, but the wire is mad short. Now, use the dental pick unclip the connector.

Bring the switch to your work bench or kitchen, and using common sense gently pry the bottom of the switch out to let you get inside. Once it comes off its pretty straight forward, the parts just come out. Don't be scared when taking it apart, its a very simple switch. Just unsolder the bulbs and solder new ones in.

When you go to reinstall the switch in the wheel use the dental pick to pull the connector back into the switch....this is really where the hooked dental pick is needed.....it only took me 15-20 seconds to get it in that way, but others that used various tools seem to have had problems....

Thats it. You just saved $60 on a new switch.

--John

[Gunzz]

Hey thanks for this info. My one light just went out and thought I was going to need a new switch. Will give this a try instead.

[johndjmix1]

You should have no problem if you follow my instructions.....the switchs do seem to get a little warmer with those bulbs in them, but no problem otherwise...

--John