I have a 96 SL2 that the buttons for the radio don't light up any more (It is the radio with the EQ) some of them went out then all of them. Are there replaceable bulbs in there? I'm talking about the buttons for the presets. Thanks for reading this and if you can help.
Radio button lights
Feb 08, 2004
6 Replies
Very glad to see your post. My 98 SL2 with 95K has this problem. Sounds like I have the same sound system as you. For me, only the right-half of the lights have gone dark (labeled 2, 3, 5, 6 etc.). I'm sure it would cost a lot more to repair than I am willing to spend.
Perhaps someone has a more definitive explanation of this problem.
-- Jay
I have the same problem with my 96 SL2 factory radio and equlizer, tried to take the radio apart only to find the bulbs are on a circuit board NOT REPAIRABLE. The dealer told me they send them out to get a new board put in them.
Well, if youre handy with a soldering iron you could have some fun replacing the dead (guessing led's) bulbs with new ones of random colors :-)
I wonder if its more then just each single bulb blowing. They said a few at a time went first, that sounds like its a connection somewhere else on the board rather then just single bulbs......
1) Nope. They're soldered in. I found out because one of the bulbs on my display went out, so I opened that puppy up.
2) They're NOT LEDs, they're gold old-fashioned incandescent bulbs. They are running relatively yellow, so they should last a REALLY long time. Unless...
3) If the alternator on your car is going out, typically it dies because one of the diodes shorts. This will cause a temporary voltage surge in the electrical system of the car that can easily take out every incandescent bulb in the car. Your car is most vulnerable when the electrical system is lightly loaded (no headlights, brake lights or blowers on). Then the tiny low power bulbs can get really nicely blown.
I "fixed" the problem by buttoning up the old radio and taking it down to my local Saturn dealer for what they called a rebuilt radio. They take the old one, sell you a repaired one, and fix what's left of yours.
Good Luck!
And the bulb is apparently a somewhat unusual size, not a standard T-13/4. It needs to be at least 14 volt (12-volt bulbs are likely to burnout quickly due to higher auto ignition system voltage), long life rated, small enough to fit in the limited available space, bright enough to light the LCD, and with an illumination pattern that will work in the LCD's reflector.
Join the Discussion
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Didn't find your answer?
Ask the community — no account required