Hello All. I just bought an '02 Limited with the automatic climate control. When the headlights are on, the LCD screen on the climate control does not light up. I pulled the unit out of the dash but didn't see any bulbs to change. Anybody know how I can fix it? It's tough to see at night.

got this from yotatech: http://yotatech.com/showthread.php?t=40435

Auto CLimate Control light bulb location/replacement

The auto climate control in the 99-01 Toyota 4Runner Limited has (4) replacable bulbs. (2) light up the LCD display and the other (2) light up the following buttons: Auto, Out/T, Mode, *Off, A/C & the outer rotorary controls.

81850-35020 LCD Display Bulb
81850-35030 Background bulb for the rotary/function buttons

In addition to the above (4) bulbs there are (5) LEDs (not user serviceble) that light up each button when they are activated. The LEDs that are directly soldered to the PCB assembly and not meant to be replaced by end user.


To replace any of the bulbs listed above, you will need to remove the entire climate control out of the dash and dissamble it in order to replace the bulbs. (Dont panic, its not that bad as it sounds!!).

Accessing the dash

In order to access the dash you will need to remove the cup holder plastic assembly piece, the gear trim panel and the dash trim.

1. Start by opening the center console door. The cup holder is then removed by gently pulling it up.

2. Next the gear trim panel is removed in the same fashion. If your model is a 4WD model then pay attention the plastic around the 4WD lever. This snaps out from trim by lightly tugging on it.

3. Finally, the dash piece is removed by gently pulling on it. There a (5) clips that hold the trim to the dash. I found that starting from the bottom and working your way up does the trick.

4. Once the dash piece is out, you will need to disconnect all of the connectors. All of these are quick disconnect, so just press on a tab and they are released. Remember to double check that they are all back in when the dash piece before placing it back.

Removing the Climate Control

1. Prior to removing it determine which bulb is bad by turning the ignition on and noticing which area is dim.

2. There are (3) screws that secure the climate control to the dash. (2) on the passenger side and (1) the drivers side. Remove all (3) with a phillips screwdriver.

3. The climate control should just come out at this point. Next disconnect the (2) electrical connectors (quick disconnect) behind the climate control.

4. Remove the (2) phillip screws (located behind the black control/trim) that secure the entire LCD/Black trim to the actual control box.

5. This should give you access the front of the PCB (Printed Circuit Board).

6. The replaceable bulbs are identified as PL1, PL2, PL3 and PL4. PL1 and PL2 are the larger ones (display bulbs). PL2 and PL3 smaller bulbs (light up the remaining of the buttons).

7. The bulbs are removed by turning them clockwise with your hand or a small flatblade screwdriver.

8. Insert the new bulb, re-connenct the (2) quick disconnects from step 3 and turn the ignition ON to test.

9. Put everything back together by Reversing the process and you're done!!

(writeup is by YT member: Ctapia)

Thanks!!! That helps alot. I figured they were in there somewhere, but didn't want to take apart until I knew they could be replaced. Thanks again!!!

I have an 02 Limited too and the right side of the AC display is dim.

That's funny;I was driving my mom's '99 Limited and I noticed her climate control backlights were out and she said she noticed it about a month ago. I guess I'll get a crack at replacing her Runner's bulbs since I know she won't pay somebody a couple of hundred to do it.

This should make your repair easier. Do a search for posts by me(fr8hauler) and open the A/C light thread. I posted 3-4 pdf files with the factory diagram and instructions on disassembly, bulb replacement, and reassembly of the ATC light bulbs.
Let me know if you can't find these and I'll try to find the actual files in my computer and repost them
Good luck!.

Are these dealer-only parts or will NAPA or Advance have them?

i have no idea, but bulbs are cheap even at the dealer.

I just called the $6 each. They'll be in on Monday. I found them online (from other dealers) for as little as $4 each. In this case it's worth the time savings to get it local. However, if I ever need a high dollar part I'll probably get it over the net instead.

$4 + shipping would probably round out to 6.

hi everybody, newbie here from nj
this thread is very helpful tnx. took apart my dash just this afternoon, and i didn't break anything.

just run into a little problem. the part number that is posted did not apply for my 2001 4 runner limited. dealer wasn't very helpful with part numbers either.

in short i got the wrong bulb for the lcd.

i will post the right lcd bulb part number as soon as i get the right one. so right now my 4 runner is down. don't feel like putting everything back and then evrything coming off again. so i figure 2-3 days of down time on my suv

just figured this might help somebody.

for now here is the part number for the 2 bulbs 4 the knobs.

2001 4 Runner limited ed.

control knob lamp assembly part # 81850-35050

got the display bulb and it works

display bulb part # 81850-35040

I know this is a very old post but wanted to confirm that the 2001 is in fact different.

I called our dealer use use for parts and gave him my VIN and he gave me

81850-35050 x2
81850-35040 x2

2001 4runner limited climate control light bulbs

Hi all. I finally found a way to pay it forward after all the help I have taken from this forum.

I did alot of research on finding these bulbs (small and large). at this point in time, 2016, most of the info I found about these bulbs is now obsolete or invalid. So I decided to find bulbs from other sources...

I was able to find suitable replacements at mouser.com for less than $0.50 per bulb.
The large bulbs are mouser# 606-8640
the small bulbs are mouser# 560-7219
both are slightly longer than the originals, but I replaced all of my bulbs with no problems.

Hey guys I have an 01 4runner and im trying to find the lights for the climate control board online but im not having any luck. any one have a suggestion on where i can find this bad boys? I've taken it apart and I know that there a four lights.

You can find them cheaper, but:


http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...s=81850-35050+

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...3A81850-35040+