some help about side mirror, headlamp switch and keyless pad

[italianbigsky]

Good morning everybody from cloudy Italy.

Thanks in advance for you help, I've read some of the "how to" threads but I think i need some more tips as I'm going to start some maintenance works on my 96 limited.

Here's the list of my questions:

1- someone broke my driver side mirror. The plastic cover is damaged and I have another side mirror so I decided to replace the broken one.
It's a heated mirror. I've see the removal threads, the only doubt I have is that somewhere I've read the window should stay all up while removing the interior panel of the door, some others say that it should be all down. So, what do you suggest? is there any important difference)
Also, I have the memory seat command on the door... does it interfere with the wires coming from the mirror?

2- as i have to remove the panel, I want to repair the keyless entry pad. It does work well, when you press it the interior light turns on, but the keyless pad lights doesn't work. I don't think it ever turned on since I bought this car. I don't want to replace original with leds or something, I don't have much time to look for leds and so on... but if I understood the "how to " the original light should be a simple bulb... can you tell me which kind of bulb is in the keyless pad? So that I can buy it before starting the work. Hoping it's a bulb that burnt out and not other problem.

3- and last one. My headlight switch knob felt down and I cannot fix it without removing the knee pad and the other panel under the wheel. I hope I can do that when I fix the mirror and so on. I'm using the rear mirror to turn my headlamps on, but I want to fix the switch anyway. Is it complicated? It seems that the module inside moves freely, I don't know if it's plastic pin that is broken or if there is some screws to be tightened.

Thanks for your help... I hope my english is clear enough for you to understand my request... you learn English at school, but technical words are always hard to learn!

 

[koda2000]

Q1 - down
Q2 - don't know
Q3 - your gonna have to remove a bunch of stuff to get at the headlight switch...

1. remove the three screws on the gauge trim panel above the steering column

2. remove the 2 screws over the heater controls and pop out (2 push in fasteners at the top corners) the center trim panel (with the radio still in it) to get at the screw that holds in the gauge trim.

3. remove the screws holding the hood release handle and the screws from the bottom edge of the knee bolster

4. pop the knee bolster out from the top (same push in fasteners as the top of the radio bezel) and remove the 4 screws holding the metal plate found under the plastic knee bolster (you may be able to just loosen the metal part without removing it)

5. now you can get at the remaining screws on the lower edge of the gauge panel trim and start wrestling it out.

there may be a wiring connector to be disconnected depending on how broken your headlight switch is. i think there are a couple of screws that hold the headlight switch to the gauge trim panel. hopefully they just came loose, otherwise you probably gonna need to replace either the switch or the panel.

tips:
if your PRNDL pointer doesn't line up with the gear your in, remove the metal plate under the knee bolster panel and look up. you'll see a thumb wheel adjuster knob. turn it to align the pointer.

if you have any instrument panel bulbs out, this is a good time to change them as you're half way there. just be careful not to break the PRNDL pointer cable when disconnecting it.

 

[bobflood]

Re Q3: I don't understand what you mean when you say the knob "fell down?" The knob has to be removed to change the switch - but it just pulls off the shaft. If that is all that happened, the knob should slide right back on the shaft. If the shaft is broken, follow Koda's instructions above to remove the switch. It is unlikely that you will be able to repair it -most likely have to replace it. The switch is held to the back of the trim panel with a couple of screws. Good luck.

 

[koda2000]

bobflood - maybe you know, does the headlight switch light up, and if so, have a replaceable bulb (a T4 maybe)? it doesn't light up on any of my gen II's.

 

[bobflood]

bobflood - maybe you know, does the headlight switch light up, and if so, have a replaceable bulb (a T4 maybe)? it doesn't light up on any of my gen II's.

They do - but it's not a standard "T" bulb. Instead it's a "tall" bulb holder. I found a "tall" bulb on "autoillumination.com" - but it was still a little too short; think it was sized for the 2W/4W selector switch. In the end, I bought some bulbs from Radio Shack and just replaced the bulb into the mounting I had.

The reason these burn out so fast is that, unlike most illumination bulbs that are only on when the lights are on, this one is on ALL the time. Do some searching - there are several threads that show people replacing this with one or more LEDs siliconed to the back of the switch.

I have autolamps so almost never touch the headlight switch anyway - I would not bother trying to fix it again just because it is such a PITA to get at. Good luck.

Koda: BTW - aren't you located in GA? Where, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[koda2000]

They do - but it's not a standard "T" bulb. Instead it's a "tall" bulb holder. I found a "tall" bulb on "autoillumination.com" - but it was still a little too short; think it was sized for the 2W/4W selector switch. In the end, I bought some bulbs from Radio Shack and just replaced the bulb into the mounting I had.

The reason these burn out so fast is that, unlike most illumination bulbs that are only on when the lights are on, this one is on ALL the time. Do some searching - there are several threads that show people replacing this with one or more LEDs siliconed to the back of the switch.

I have autolamps so almost never touch the headlight switch anyway - I would not bother trying to fix it again just because it is such a PITA to get at. Good luck.

Koda: BTW - aren't you located in GA? Where, if you don't mind me asking?

Jasper. about 45 mins away from Powder Springs. mine have the autolamps too, but i was curious as it's the only non lit switch i have.

 

[bobflood]

Jasper.

I know where Jasper is. My wife and I go to an antique auction up there fairly often - "Jeff" somebody on road toward Canton?? I can get there, but can't remember name!! Hell to get old!!

 

[italianbigsky]

thank you, I'll try to follow Koda's instructions step by step, even if I don't have a good idea of all the terms he uses. I guess I'll understand while doing that job. I thought it was enough to remove the two panels under the steer column, the plastic one and the metal one, but now I see it's more complicated.

The knob went down and I cannot slide it back in the shaft because it isn't fixed.. I think the screws came loose... just hoped to tighten tem without dismounting half a car ....

 

[italianbigsky]

if you have any instrument panel bulbs out, this is a good time to change them as you're half way there. just be careful not to break the PRNDL pointer cable when disconnecting it.

Actually, I have some panel bulbs that works random... sometimes they wor, sometimes they doesn't light up. I think they are not burnt, but there should be something wrong in the wires.... I doubt I'll be able to solve the problem I'm not tht expert. Thanks for the advice anyway.

 

[xpolice-explorer]

Actually, I have some panel bulbs that works random... sometimes they wor, sometimes they doesn't light up. I think they are not burnt, but there should be something wrong in the wires.... I doubt I'll be able to solve the problem I'm not tht expert. Thanks for the advice anyway.

I had a CEL that would bulb test sometimes and sometimes not. when I pulled the IP and looked at the bulb it looked good. Upon further inspection, the element was broken and it would make contact sometimes and work. Long story short...bulbs are probably bad.

 

[koda2000]

re panel illumination bulbs. these little bulbs will sometimes work and sometimes not when the filament is broken. they are bulb #168 and you'll need six ot them. when you pull the old ones out (actually twist them out) they will look like they're chromed. you'll be amazed how bright new ones will look.