Tech,

I have a couple of switches (example seat warmer switch) whose LED's have blown/gone bad, I took the LED out but unable to find replacement bulbs. The dealer says I have no choice but to buy a new switch which I do not believe makes sense as the switch works fine. Please advise.

Regards

 

Have you tried Radio Shack?
Do you have a pick of one?

 

No I have not tried Radio Shack, the small unit that I took out of the switch appeared to be a small integrated unit and therefore did not think that they would have it.

What part should I be looking for at RS and what is pick of one?

 

They might sell the bulb with the socket as well.

I meant a picture of the bulb.

 

Sorry to jump in.

Last time I visited RS (about 3 weeks ago), I didn't see that small rectangular LED, all they had was typical bulb-type. I wonder if you can take one out from any car at a junkyard. Or, you could take one out of a cheap audio equipment (stereo, radio, etc...) if the size matches.

If there's enough space within the switch, you could perhaps substitute with regular bulb that is similar to the one used for moon-roof switch, but if you want to go with LED, watch for the correct polarity. If reversed, they won't light.

Best wishes,


JPN

 

Hi guptash, tech, and JPN,

Radio Shack is convenient but very limited in their parts selection.
As tech mentioned a picture of the part you need to replace
would be a big help.
If you have an old piece of equipment as JPN said you might
scrounge parts from it.

If you need an LED chances are you can find it here:

http://dkc3.digikey.com/PDF/T071/2055-2106.pdf

home page:

http://www.digikey.com

Digi-Key will sell you one small part unlike many other electronics
distributors. They charge $5 for orders under $25 but their low
cost and high quality make it worth it.
I haven't seen the assembly that you want to repair, but it may
also have a small resistor to limit current through the LED. It is
possible the resistor has failed ( very inexpensive to repair) or
you may have a bad solder joint ( seems to be common on Volvos).
LEDs usually last a long, long time.

You could probably replace other lights in your car with LEDs
also, there are all types and colors, even some that have built
in flashers.

Best wishes to everyone, John

 

Thank you folks.

1. I will include a picture to ensure that it is an LED and not a very small bulb.
2. I will also check out Radio Shack

 

Sorry guptash, TMI. I misread the posts and thought you were
looking for an LED that you couldn't find....never mind LOL.

John

 

Here's the picture.



[IMG]local://upfiles/1041/89C408BFF44F466CAF4225FC88E0C785.jpg[/IMG]

 

Hi guptash,

Thanks for the photo image, but it seems blur.

Is the LED shaped round, or rectangular? Either way, you could replace it by soldering, that is, if you can find the LED that matches.

The technology in LED has dramatically advanced in the last 10 years or so. There are all kinds of colours, and the brightness has gone mad, 1~3 watts is ultra-bright. It's the material used in the LED that determines the colour.

Anyway, I wish there was a better shop than RS. RS needs to expand their selections in electronics parts.

Unfortunately, at the moment I don't have 850 at hand, it's been driven by the owner. When the car comes back to me, I'll take out the switch and see what I can do, but hopefully you'd have solved the problem before that. I now drive Suzuki Forenza (and it's actually Korean Daewoo made, not a genuine Suzuki). So far, the car is extremely boring (and even though it is a new car, the coolant is already below MIN mark) and I miss driving 850 very much.

Cheers,


JPN

 

That looks like a bulb in the housing -look for 2 tiny wires coming out of the base. you will need these bulbs: http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search

You will need to remove old bulb first.

 

Thank you very much folks.

 

The Dealer carries them it is the same bulb as the switches on the dash.

 

Tech,

Dealer in my area could not find it in his book.

m1964 gave me the best advice, a visit to RS, $1.50 and 10 minutes later I was all done with two bulbs.

Thank you.

 

Glad you found them.