HVAC Panel Light Question

[Daniel Y.]

I have a 78 Pace Car with a 4 spd manual trans. The HVAC panel has a clear plastic face on it which does not light up at night. I pulled the console cover off and found there is no mounting cup for any type of bulb mounting on the HVAC panel itself. HOWEVER, I did find a 194 size bulb assy that runs into a harness that is working just lying down inside the console. The wire does not reach the ash tray or HVAC panel. I am assuming it is the light for an automatic trans car to light the gear indicator and they put a bulb in it during assy by mistake. Ok so after all of that my question is, does the HVAC panel have some type of illumination or not?

As a follow up; in the panel just under the top of the dash pad, in the center of the console, just above the gauges, there is a small pod that sticks out of the bezel. After removing the bezel I found that it DOES contain a pod that a small bulb would fit into and shine light down onto the center console. HOWEVER, there is no harness or bulb socket in the area. The GM body book does not list anything in either area, unless I missed it. thanks in advance for your replies! Dan Yurko.

[Edward J.]

Re: HVAC Panel Light Question

Dan, I beleive your right on about the pod, the bulb must be tucked in somewhere or it could be put into another socket that it doesnt belong.the other light bulb your seeing may be to light-up the cigar lighter socket?

[Greg A.]

Re: HVAC Panel Light Question

I had to go to the garage and check my 78 Silver Anniversary to be sure, but the only light internal to the console is the AT shift indicator. The other lighting on the console comes from the pin light that shine down from the upper dash pad. There are no lights for ash tray/cig lighter or HVAC display.

Hope this helps.

[Roger O.]

Re: HVAC Panel Light Question

Dan the light pod at the top of dash takes one of the standard type illumination sockets that are used to light the gauges. (There will be no socket with wires attached.) The pod should have a black wire and a gray wire attached to the pod. The socket just twists into place. The 2 wires do have a connector so someone could have removed this while the dash was out. If you do put this back together don't bother to use a standard 194 type bulb it won't shine on the HVAC panel, you will need a special bulb an L-558. This bulb will have a lens on it to focus the light on the HVAC panel.
If you need a pic of the pod with wire assembly attached let me know.

[Daniel Y.]

Re: HVAC Panel Light Question

EXCELLENT! This is the info I was looking for! I have the wires and everything in place, but there was no socket or bulb. I appreciate everyones help, thank you!