2007 Dodge Durango - Heater / AC Control Instrument Lights Burned Out


Our Dodge Durango heater control dashboard lights went out. One half of the push button lights didn't illuminate at night making it real hard to see what heater control switch you needed to press when it was dark out. Turns out there are regular light bulbs in the dash.

The process to replace them takes maybe 15 minutes if your careful and follow directions.

I bought led replacement bubs for mine from www.autolumination.com. I ended up ordering part number Neowedge SMT Led , Color: Green , Lens: Type C Led. Got them shipped to me for less than $10 for two. They are bit hard to find on their web page.

I did find that I needed to shave the plastic on the locking tab slightly to get them to lock into the circuit board. Good news is it's unlikely I'll ever have to replace them again.

To start the process remove two black screws (9/32 socket) underneath above the storage area.
From the bottom carefully pull the whole panel away from the dash. There are three clips on each side and a tab at the top that holds the panel in.
Once it's free from the dash carefully remove the three electrical connectors that plug into the heater control module. After that it's much easier to get behind the heater control panel to see your way around.

Each connector has a locking tab, so take your time.
View showing the three electrical blocks removed from the digital heater / AC control.
Another view with the three top connectors removed. If you want to you can remove the other electrical connectors and remove the heater / AC panel from the car.

You don't have to remove it, but it may make it easier to work on.
There are 4 screws that hold a cover over the heater control circuit board. I removed them for easier access to the light bulbs. Technically there are access holes in the back, but I found it hard to get the bulbs in and out, if you didn't just remove the cover.
In this shot you can see the access bulb holes, but they are buried pretty deep in.
Here are the screws partially removed.
Be careful, once the back panel is off. That back panel holds all the buttons and circuit board in place. With it removed a lot of little parts can move around. Here you can see the two grey bulb bases on the circuit board.
Another shot - perhaps a little clearer.
I used a standard screwdriver to twist the bulbs about 1/8 of a turn counterclockwise. They kinda click in and out of place. I then got my fingernail underneath them and pried them up.
Here's a view of the old incandescent green bulb that was burned out. You can see the locking tab and contacts in the picture here. It's looks blue, but trust me it was green when it lit up.

I believe the Dodge part number for the bulbs is part # 5019519-AA.
Here are the replacement green led bulbs. They look white, but they do light up a very bright green.

I bought led replacement bubs for mine from www.autolumination.com. I ended up ordering part number Neowedge SMT Led , Color: Green , Lens: Type C Led. Got them quickly shipped to me for less than $10 ($3.49 each) for two. They are bit hard to find on their web page.

I did find that I needed to shave the plastic on the locking tab slightly to get them to lock into the circuit board. I used a small file to make the gap between the base and the tab a little larger. Make sure when they are twisted in, that the contacts touch the circuit board. I did find that you could turn them too far. Good news is it's unlikely I'll ever have to replace them again.

They also sell a standard bulb that looks like it would work also. Neowedge
79609-S5A-003 Incandescent , Color: Green , Lens: Type C (T5)
. They were just $1.49 each.


If you remove all wires -here is what the heater panel looks like out of the car.
View of the Dodge Durango heater control from the back. This is removed completely from the Durango.
To reinstall just reverse the steps:
  1. Install the bulb into the heater control circuit board by turning it 1/8 turn clockwise with a medium screwdriver
  2. Install the 4 phillips screws on the back of the heater control
    module.
  3. Install all of the electrical connectors. You can check to make sure the lights work and look as expected here.
  4. Slide the top of the panel into the dash.
  5. Work your way down the two side gently pushing in the clips.
  6. Install the two black screws to secure the panel for good.
Here's what it looks like with the led lights installed. My Dodge Durango heater lights will be visible through the life of my Durango now.

Comments

  1. Freaking Awesome!!! Thank you so much for posting this! You're my hero!

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  2. Thank you very much. Searched google for Durango instrument light issues and your page showed up. I really appreciate the instructions, pictures and links.

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  3. Glad it helped both you out. My Durango dash is glowing bright green still to this day.

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  4. Hi
    Here is Dieter from Germany, thanks for this contribution in germany i can not buy the bulbs only by mopar in usa it cots for 4 lamps with shipping 55 $ now i pay for 4 led 17,95 $.Such contributions have helped me many times, thank you so continue.

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  5. Thanks alot. I cant believe I found this; can't wait to get started.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you!! This was exactly what I was looking for.

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  7. OMG YOU Rock!!! Very well written. PROPS To you

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  8. Awesome this has been a little annoyance on my durango I couldnt figure out. THANKS

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  9. Worked perfectly. Thanks.

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  10. Dude you are my hero,
    I was thinking what a nightmare its going to be tearing into this dash is going to be. Oh, by the way I have a Chrysler Aspen. Same ol Same ol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad to hear it worked out as easily for the Chrysler Aspen - should be the same, but you never know.

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  11. Thanks David. I went to a Dodge dealer to get new bulbs and they would not sell bulbs alone but only the complete control at $605.00 Today I received bulbs from auto lamination and the $1.99 bulbs fit perfect and I now have a lit up dash again.

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    Replies
    1. Glad to hear it worked out. My led lights continue to look great in my Durango. I don't know why dealers don't carry spare bulbs...

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  12. Hi

    Thanks for a great post.

    Do you know if it's the same bulbs or type of bulbs to light up the seat heater buttons? Not the ones that light up to say the heater is on but the light behind the buttons. Did you notice that while changing.

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  13. Does anyone know where I can get a silver or black double din dash bezel for my 2004 Durango. It has ac vents at the top and the climate control under the stereo?

    ReplyDelete

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