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U-270-36 1996 Drivers Side Left Hand Switch Panel Bulbs/Procedure Questions

January 05, 2011, 06:15:44 pm

I have just removed the drivers left hand switch panel (includes transmission buttons) in an effort to replace the bulb that illuminates on the BOOST switch.  I was able to pull a plastic black/white bulb holder out from below the switch which has a VERY tiny bulb in it.
While I was doing this, I engaged all of the switches one at a time, with the headlight switch in the first position and looked for illumination.  There was none.  I then started the engine and turned on the lights again in the first position.  NO Illumination from ANY switch.  I made sure the rheostat on the light switch was at full brightness. 
None of my switches (docking lights, ICC, driving lights) have any illumination at any time.  On, Off, Lights on, Lights off, engine on, engine off.
Question 1: Does the bulb come mounted to a black plastic holder/insert or is it just a bulb and removeable?
Question 2: I have not checked for voltage yet but, it it possible a breaker has failed and I do not have voltage to the whole assembly?  The transmission illumination seems just fine.
I could use a little insight from those who have encountered this situation in my coach years..........
Regards,

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Re: U-270-36 1996 Drivers Side Left Hand Switch Panel Bulbs/Procedure Questions

Reply #1 – January 05, 2011, 07:11:38 pm

Jon,

The bulbs in my 96 are removeable.  Any autoparts store will have replacements.  I buy them five at a time.

However, I think you have a more 'global' problem.  I have never had all of them fail at once.  Do the landing lights and other items controlled by these switches function despite no illumination within the switch?  Asking this question may help you to look for a fix....

Andy1

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Re: U-270-36 1996 Drivers Side Left Hand Switch Panel Bulbs/Procedure Questions

Reply #2 – January 05, 2011, 11:09:46 pm

This evening I checked the docking lights.  The front ones both work.  The rear ones do not work, probably a separate problem, eh?
The I.C.C. lights seem to work OK too.
Can't easily check the Retarder while sitting still.
Boost I will try to check tomorrow.
No lights on anything tonight.  Maybe the bulbs have all gone south.
Will purchase bulbs tomorrow.
Ruined the socket on the Boost bulb so will have to see if I can repair it.  I am not sure just where I could lay my hands on another socket.  I should have pulled on the bulb and NOT on the socket..l

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Re: U-270-36 1996 Drivers Side Left Hand Switch Panel Bulbs/Procedure Questions

Reply #3 – January 06, 2011, 01:11:42 pm

John,

Some time back I replaced a bunch of the tiny little bulbs. I bought a 10 pack at the auto supply. I think I used six of them immediately. I found that most indicators worked only with the ignition switch in the "On" position. The "Boost" switch is an exception. It comes on when the switch in in the "On" position regardless of the position of the ignition switch.

I did a bit of rewiring so that the "Aux Lights" work independently of the headlights. We leave the switch all the time during daylight hours in order to have daytime running lights on the front of the coach.

It appears that it would be pretty easy to change the indicator lights to work independently from the ignition switch. The connections are spade connections that are easy to switch. The downsides of having indicator lights all the time rather than switched are bulb life and another little load on the batteries.

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