Heater Control Panel

January 11, 2011

I have a '99 4.1 RAV and my heater control panel has stopped illuminating when I turn my lights on. Is this an easy fix? ie change a bulb? or is it going to be more complicated?

January 11, 2011

haha - we should be able to help each other! The bulbs behind my heater switches have blown as well !

The dashboard comes off fairly easily - or you could try removing the glovebox and centre console which might allow access - I'm too stiff to get into a position where I could reach! I think the bulbs are just that - bulbs and fairly easy to change. The other way is to wire in some neon lights behind the dash so the light shines thru.

January 11, 2011

Not sure how different a 99 is to a 95 but recently the light in mine went. It is a tiny little bulb, not even a quid. There is a little notch in the top right of mine behind a little square piece to pull the little face panel off. Then there is a clear plastic piece behind. Take off and change the bulb. As I said though, I am pretty much clueless to be honest, I have no idea what a rav 99 inside is even like.

January 13, 2011

Thanks for the info guys i'll get onto it at the weekend and report my results, as i need to go to Toyota on sat anyway for some parts that ive already ordered. This new VAT makes me want to cry.

January 15, 2011

I rectified this today. It must be one of thee easiest fixes possible. I didn't even need to take a screw out.

1. gently pull off the four little levers (vent,fan speed, cabin flow and temperature) these should come straight off without much effort then with a small flat screwdriver prise out the A/C button (if you have it) this to should come straight out.

2. Now gently pull out the face of the panel (ie the plastic card with heater controls printed on)once thats done you should now be looking at a long clear plastic prism for the light to shine through.

3. At the left hand edge of this Clear plastic strip is a little catch, gently push this to the left with a small flat screwdriver and the clear strip will come off easily and you are now looking at your bulb with a little green rubber cover, pull the bulb straight out and remove the green rubber, place it onto your new bulb and re-fit.

4. Replace everything in reverse order.

This whole job honestly took about 5 mins and I bought 3 bulbs from Toyota for a grand total of £1.55

If anyone is interested I can take pics of each of the above steps, however it is very simple.