I replaced the stock head unit yesterday and when I finished I noticed the left side of the heater controls is no longer illuminated. While hooking up the new radio I accidentally used the Red with Wh stripe for acc power. Apparently that is the Illumination On/Off wire, not sure if that has anything to do with it, I changed to the cig wire now.

Are there regular bulbs in there?

 

no its the same size bulb that is in the OEM FACEPLATE. 74 i belive

 

I will have to check if the bulbs broke when I was taking out the radio. The screws holding the radio stripped so it was a nightmare drilling them out.

 

been there done that too.

 

I swapped the bulbs around and it looks like I did indeed break them. I will have to see what the dealer wants for them. This guy looks like he has them...

http://autolumination.com/74.htm

Either the NEO type B or C

 

The left side of my heater controls is no longer illuminated either. Auto and Econ buttons aren't lit up but the fan speed and mode etc. are. Are there two bulbs (one for right and one for left)? How do I take apart the dash and change the bulb?

 

I have yet to put in the new bulbs, however removing the old ones was pretty simple. Take out the console assembly like you are removing the radio and unscrew the heater controls from the metal frame. When that is removed there are a couple of screws enclosing the control box. Open it up and you should be able to unscrew the illumination bulbs. I think there are three for the buttons and two for the display.

I am going from memory so I might be off a little, but its pretty straight forward when you start taking it apart.

 

There are 3 small bulbs and if you are going to replace them by yourself, be prepared for a nightmare. Tell a friend to help you at least with unplugging your harness connectors, which is a pain in the a$$! Here's a similar how-to for the 5th gen Maxima:

just purchased my first Nissan, it is a 2000 Maxima sterling mist gle. I have put the factory spoiler on it and am installing silver reverse glow gauges this weekend. My fan and ambient buttons were not lit up on the climate control, here's how to replace those burnt out bulbs. There are 3 bulbs for all the buttons. The bulbs twist into the circuit board. The part number for those 3 bulbs is 27545-1W600. There is a 4th bulb that is outside the control that lights up the bottom slots to illuminate the hazard button and ashtray, that bult is a harness, and that assembly # is 27545-2Y900. To start, remove ash tray and remove 1 phillips screw, then remove the shifter trim piece by prying up on the back nearest console and work your way to top. Once that is done, pry up and outward on the air vents. This will gain access to 4 screws that retain the radio and climate control. Remove those four screws and remove the radio and climate control assembly. Remove the four phillips screws attaching the climate control to the brackets. Slightly bend the brackets outward and rotate the top of the climate control back and out to release it from the radio. Now, remove the four very small silver screws on the back of the climate control, this will separate it into two halves and you will see the back of the circuit board for the front of the control (button side). On this board you will see 3 blue plastic pieces with phillips head notches in them, these are the bulbs. Rotate these ccw to remove and then install the new ones. Reassemble and install components inversely the order you removed them. Hope this helps, it took me about 30 minutes to do and it was my first time.

 

I would like to see that if you were alone during the install What about the screws that hold the radio and the heater controls? Did you remove them just by your self?

 

Umm, ya. I'm not sure what is difficult here? Taking out the screws that hold the radio difficult: yes; but that is unnecessary since only the climate controls are discussed here. Taking out the screws that hold the climate control is easy because they thread into plastic. If you would like to see it I can post pics when I do it next week alone.

 

Agreed, I just finished mine in an hour, It took me longer to drive to the dealer and get the parts than it did to actually change them out.

BTW: Nissan dealers sell the bulbs for 4$ a piece. Part #: 27545-1w600

 

O.K. I see many professional mechanics on here, so my opinion on the install seems to be useless.

I'll tell just few things to those, who are going to replace the bulbs.
Get a friend that will help you out with the install if you don't want to scratch your dashboard or even the instrumental panel while unplugging the harness connectors...
Also be careful when taking apart the heater buttons. Each of them has a very thin "cane", which can get damaged or get lost very easily...

Just my 0.02 cents

 

True, but you shouldn't even need to take the heater buttons off.