Does anybody know how to dissasemble ventilation and heater controls because the lights on mine stopped working yesterday - and I tried to repair it high tech way-tapping it with the finger , anyway I got carried away and accidentaly made a hole . Anyway I need to fix this (lights and the hole)- any suggestions are greatly appriciated. Thanks.

 

take the knobs off, pop the AC button out with a knife (carefully), and then pry the panel off

 

welcome to the club with the holes. I need a plate myself.

 

It sounds simple enough,thanks. I feared that I'll have to dissasemble half of my truck. Do you know how to repair the lights maybe?
As for the hole - i'll try to repair it with some duct tape ,or try to find an old panel from some old corolla-maybe they are the same?

 

pull off the knobs and that plate just pops off....youll see a clear plastic protector thingy...CAREFULLY pull that off (yes i broke mine doing this) and the TINY bulb is behind there right smack in the middle (you can barely even see it) Its a Sylvania #19 bulb but your existing bulb condom will NOT fit over the new bulb..so dont even try...mine looks ok without it.

 

i just had the same problem with my 87. Im also removing the dash to put in a radio and so i removed the a/c face plate by just reaching underneath and pushing it out after removing the knobs. I also learned that the replacement glow plates advertised to fit a 89-91 pickup will also fit the 86 and up pickup and 4runners.

 

How do you get that little bulb out?

 

Bump,bump
How to get that tiny bulb out-do you just pull it out or??
I gave it a pull but it wouldn't move.

 

i belive you push and twist

 

Oh-I did the opposite thing :pat: Thanks !

 

NOOOO! It just pulls out, Don't push and twist!!

 

I'll give it a try tomorrow

 

this sounds odd but to remove very small bulbs like that, i stretch and wrap a thick rubber band around it and then pull it out. this is a great benefit for three reasons: you greatly increase the friction on the bulb and equalize the pressure, and as well you reduce the risk of breaking the glass and getting shards in your fingertips.

 

oh my... how many does it take to replace a light bulb? lol
Its probably the easiest thing i've ever done on my 4Runner.

Also, the green condom WILL fit on your new bulb...it's not hard if you try.

p.s. I'm probably going to be parting out my 4runner soon. Let me know if you need that plate, extra bulbs, the clear illuminator, or anything else.

 

I know it looks ridiculous, but when I made that hole I was paranoid not to break something else , as for the plate let me know when the time comes,I would be very thankful because 4runners are very rare in my country, and parts like that are extremly hard to find, I could send you the money via western union.

 

I have an extra one that I put on ebay (i use the same name there)click here
It has the peices removed for the clock and the A/C button, this is off an 86 I think, I bought it off eBay and got 2 but only needed one. In all fairness there are about 6 more on eBay right now I just searched "4runner heater" in the parts and accesory with years set to 84-88. I really hope it helps.