Took apart Stock 97 Radio, found something interesting

[adammsu]

So the back light in my radio's display panel that shows the current station went out and i decided to rip it apart and figure out what was wrong. After pulling the console, radio, and pulling off the face, i made a cool discovery. The backlights in my radio are not welded to the circuit board, rather they "twist lock" into place, making the electrical connection. To fix my problem, i pulled the light from the cassette eject button (like i need that one anyway) and put it in the hole for the display panel. Put it all together, and sure enough, it worked.

i looked at the bad light and found that it had a green plastic cover over the bulb, giving it the green glow similar to all the interior lights in my runner. This made me think that it would be pretty cool to change out those lights for blue or red, and change the look of my interior while keeping the stock equipment (aint broke, can't convince the wife to let me buy a new one!!)

My question for you guys---- does anyone know where you might be able to get replacement bulbs for the radio's circuit board or maybe just a NON-ghetto way to color them. i would rather get a new set, cuz these are old and probably about to die anyway.

thanks and let me know

 

[adammsu]

heck, another thought, if someone wants to seel their old radio to me for parts, i might be interested. Won't pay a ton for it, but better then having it sit in your garage

 

[wolfgang]

I bougth a replacement bulb (came in pack of 2) from Radio Shack - think the called it a pea or wheat bulb. Make sure its 12V.

I think it was:
12V Microlamps (2-Pack)
Model: 272-1092 | Catalog #: 272-1092

2-pack of replacement flashlight and incandescent microlamps. Rated 12V with a current of 60mA.

Mine was soldered in.

 

[adammsu]

maybe you can take a look through their site for me, cuz i couldnt find it there or at a local shop

 

[duzuck]

Non-ghetto eh?

Well, I've never been to the ghetto, so I dont know if this is a ghetto fix or not. But for the longest time I've used stain-glass spray paint on bulbs to give them whatever colour I wanted. It usually takes a couple coats, but that's how I've done my footwell lights in my runner. The only thing, I think those "pea bulbs" get mighty hot, and may burn the paint. I've never had this problem, but maybe the bulbs I've used have all been relatively cooler than those small ones. I got the paint from a Canadian Tire store, but you may find the stuff at a Home Depot or Lowes or whatever the hell you Americans have for hardware stores. You may even find stain-glass paint in a bottle to brush it on, I dont know. Maybe a craft store??

It may be ghetto, but it's always worked for me, and pretty cheap too.

 

[adammsu]

well, i just didnt want someone telling me to color it with a magic marker or that fancy colored seran (sp??) wrap, the stained glass paint actually sounds promising, thanks