Bulbs for Rear Def/Rear Window/Antenna Switches

[91waggin]

I have a 91 CP and it has the type of dash where the rear defroster is a separate switch from the climate control unit; it's on a piece of trim that runs between the climate control unit and the radio. Also in this trim piece is the power antenna switch and on the other side of the steering wheel is the one for the power rear window. The switches are backlit, and there are these little tiny bulbs like the size of an appleseed that light them up, and of course a couple of them are now burnt out. I haven't had any luck finding them in lighting catalogs; anybody know what kind of bulb they are?

Thanks

[marquisman]

i think you have to replace the switch, its been a while since i ripped one apart...witch ones dont light up?

[85crownHPP]

they are a strange bulb indeed... I just removed mine because I could not easily chnage them to LED. If I can find the old bulb you can have it.

[86GmLsCoupe]

Like the one pictured below? It's a 2162 listed in Sylvania's replacement guide under instrument panel-general. IIRC, the radio uses them as well.

[91waggin]

i think you have to replace the switch, its been a while since i ripped one apart...witch ones dont light up?

I'm not at home right now, but IIRC, it's the antenna one and the rear window one.

Where would I find this switch? My local boneyard has no 90-91 boxes.

[91waggin]

Like the one pictured below? It's a 2162 listed in Sylvania's replacement guide under instrument panel-general. IIRC, the radio uses them as well.

Don't think that's it; it doesn't look right off the top of my head, but I'll have to get home and take a look. Thanks, though!

[marquisman]

sometimes if you fiddle with the switch a bit, they iluminate. my 91 did that, sometimes they went out then id push on em and they light back up.

[91waggin]

sometimes if you fiddle with the switch a bit, they iluminate. my 91 did that, sometimes they went out then id push on em and they light back up.

Tried that already.

Also, found the entire switch assembly on teamford parts for ~$50 apiece. Seems a little much to pay for just a damn bulb. When I head home this weekend I'll take a picture of what the bulb looks like.

[86VickyLX]

Can you take a picture of the defroster switch, so I can get an idea, they might be the same as the early aero vic defroster and antenna switches

[86GmLsCoupe]

Np, I'd be surprised though if Ford made a part like that though. If you call Bill at Teamford, he could probably give you some advice also. Gm is a great one for making parts like that though. My Grand Am has that recalled hazard switch that has to be replaced entirely every time the flasher goes.

[85crownHPP]

that bulb might be the one... its the type that are made into a little plastic socket that comes out all as one unit. It might be the kind you can bend back the leads and pull the bulb out... cant remember.

[91waggin]

Can you take a picture of the defroster switch, so I can get an idea, they might be the same as the early aero vic defroster and antenna switches

Good call! I didn't even think of that. I think you're right, but I will have to look.
IIRC, the one in the aeros are black while mine are chrome, but I'll bet the bulbs are the same and could be swapped out.

[91waggin]

Found an Aero Vic in the boneyard, grabbed the antenna switch, and tried it. It didn't light up either, but I got a good picture of the bulbs.
The one on the right has one of those bulb caps on it for some reason, I guess to color the light on the switch. In any case, It ripped when I tried to pull it off.

[85crownHPP]

yep - if its like my 91, one to illuminate it green and one to light up when its on.

[91waggin]

Unfortunately, the bulbs in the antenna switch are different than the ones in the rear def switch. The rear def switch works fine, but all of the switches for the antenna that I've been able to find have been dead as well. They probably are the same ones that are in your 91, if the vic has an antenna switch. Any ideas, oh great and powerful LED guru?