DIY: Cruise Control Light Bulb Replacement With Photos

[dcwrx2]

There are numerous threads helping ppl how to change the burnt light bulb in the cruise control switch, but I think none of them have clear instructions with photos. Therefore I came up with mine after I did it over the weekend. (Thanks to those who spreaded the P/N of the replacement bulbs from RadioShack)

The following photos are taken from my 2004 WRX. I don't guarantee if they should look the same on other models.

1. A cruise control switch looks like this

2. Many ppl said in order to remove the switch, the screws which hold the dash panel will be first removed, etc... But I found this is not necessary. Just remove the little coin box below the switch (which will expose the fuse box), then stick your palm in. Unplug the connection from the cruise control switch, then use your finger to lift the lower "hook" of the switch, then push it out (SEE photo below where has a red circle)

When done, you'll see this: (I have removed the other dummy covers on right of the cruise control switch just for fun, you DON'T have to do this)

3. The bulb is located under that blue cover. Use any small screwdriver to turn counter-clockwise for like 1/8 turn, and it can be removed as shown below:

The factory bulb is quite long in length, and its terminal "legs" go through the 2 holes of the blue cover and then "wrap around" the cover so A) The bulb sits securely on the cover; B) The terminal legs touch the contact points of the cruise control switch and complete the circuit.

4. Use any tiny object (like an extra small screwdriver for eyeglasses, or needle, etc) to pry the wire of the burnt bulb, "unwrap" around the blue cover, and remove the burnt bulb. Next, get replacement bulbs. I chose RadioShack 272-1092 (#7219 Micro Lamp) because this is the only one I know after searched on NASIOC. Price is about $1.50 for a package of 2 bulbs.

5. Insert the new bulb into the blue cover, with the 2 terminal legs go through the 2 holes on the cover, then route/wrap around the cover exactly as how the factory bulb did. When done, cut away part of the terminal leg which is longer than necessary. See below. (Note: The RadioShack bulb is shorter than the factory bulb).

6. Reinsert the blue cover into the cruise control switch, and turn clockwise for 1/8 turn to lock in place:

7. Insert the cruise control switch back to the dash panel, reconnect the connector from behind. Double check the "hook" at the bottom of the switch has lock the switch to the panel securely.

8. Now, ALMOST DONE! Insert the key, turn to ON position, then turn on the corner lights (or lowbeam). Check and see if the cruise control switch glows or not. See below.

NOTE: The right-half of the letter "E" is not really bright, and I believe it is because the bulb length is too short so part of the light from the bulb filament is blocked by the blue cover..... But, I think it's ok and not worth my time to customize an "insulating-gasket" between the bulb and the blue cover in order to "rise up" the bulb a little bit and stands out from the cover.

9. Finally, put everything back to place, it's done!

I can't link too many pics due to rules set by administrator. Please CLICK HERE for the final pic

Cost: ~$0.75 + tax per bulb, plus gasoline to drive back and forth to RadioShack. Altogether it is around a $1.20 DIY job. How much will dealer charge you? FREE if the bulb burnt within warranty period, or $3x.xx (parts) + labor. Dealer does not carry replacement bulb for this switch, but have to sell you as a complete switch (DOH!)

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[specialev]

Nice work, man. Maybe it's time I have at the burnt out CC switch bulb in my car...

Thanks!

[Hank3]

Wow, great job on the write-up

[Psydotek]

Sweet! I'm going to have to do this for my Foglamp switch...

[dcwrx2]

I'd say it should be similar for the foglamp switch, but there will be 2 bulbs inside that switch. (For example, one under the blue cover and one under the red cover)
I'd guess, the one under the "red cover" will be the indicator light when the switch is at "ON", while the one under the "blue cover" will be similar as of the cruise control switch, which will turn on when you switched on the corner lights / lowbeam.

[Handsdown]

sticky! this should be a thread of note!

and the cruise has two lights too, they look like the same lighting elements from switch to switch.

i just did this, and the 7219 bulbs fit in my holders just fine, the whole filament was exposed and there was even lighting across the whole switch. i had to replace both cruise and fog!

[Bishop]

nice! gj!

[dcwrx2]

Yeah, I think the bulbs they used are generally all the same, but the physical cruise control switch and foglamp switch are only similar but not the same. For example, the foglamp switch has "dedicated" position of ON and OFF, with ON position = Slightly pushed inward. On the other hand, the cruise control switch stays at same position whether the system is ON or OFF, you can't feel if the button is slightly pushed inward when the system stays ON.

The "red cover" of the cruise control is not wired up (because there is no bulb), and the brown connector at the back of the cruise control switch does not have a terminal for the "red cover". So even if I wire up a bulb under the red cover, it should do nothing.

[Handsdown]

red cover?

my cruise has an orange status light that goes on when it is activated, similar to the green status light in the fog switch... the illumination of the switches appears to be identical though, discounting the wiring plugs and mechanical operation(staying in versus momentary). the orange status light might be an led, i don't know... but there is a bulb holder even if there is no bulb.

i just did this on both of the switches(both of mine were out) and it was the same procedure with flawless results for both

[avk]

Excellent pics. The same bulb goes into various switches w/o removable sockets, and can be replaced after taking the switch apart.
The bulb, assembled w. socket, is available as a spare part but you'd likely need to have it ordered, and wait. The part numbers can be found in numerous threads about gen 2. Legacy climate controls backlighting, on Nasioc and elswhere.

[dcwrx2]

They must have changed beginning 2004....arrrggghhh....
The brown connector at the back of the cruise control switch doesn't even have that terminal wired up.... they didn't prepare the switch to show status... all they did is to ask us "Read the @#$% gauge bezel for any illuminated 'CRUISE' word, in order to tell if the system is on or off" ...>_<...

[Handsdown]

my car's manual, maybe that's why they're different.

[avk]

Just wire the status bulb in parallel with the one in the cluster, although the one in the cluster could be an LED making it a bit more complicated.

[munkis]

added to the FAQ thread as per requested.

Jay

[Kcwiro]

Excelent write up thanks... bulbs fixed and working great again =)

[avk]

A replacement bulb, with socket and cover, has its part number and can be ordered. But it's still hardly worth it as people have been using RadioShack bulbs for years now with great results.
Add: duh, I posted in this thread before, didn't realize it was old.

[ktmrider]

Search function + awesome threads = DIY to perfection!
Thanks for the excellent write up dcwrx2.

[djerickd]

For 5 years I've thought the "CRUISE" letters just didn't light up, wow. Well I fixed it! thanks!

[KAX]

ah, thanks for bumpin this erick! i was looking for it.

[djerickd]

I stumbled upon this looking for more 12 switched sources

[Force]

Great write-up

I've been waiting to replace my foglamp switch bulb.

Thanks

[Handsdown]

haha didn't notice the date. bump for a great thread.

[Lambu]

could those bulbs be used to replace the seat heater status bulb? mine's been burnt out for a while now and i can't tell if its on until my butt starts to burn
tia

[wobbletop]

Bump again...

Noticed my fog switch lights were burnt out and being able to pick something up from Radio Shack was a great tip.

Now I've noticed the cruise is burnt out as well. Back to Radio Shack.

Thanks!

[Susie's Suby]

Bumper-eenos! I'm getting my burnt-out indicator lights for Fog lights, Cruise, Defrost & Hazard replaced for my B-day...woo-hoo. Thanks very much for the instructions & pic.

Susie