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Vent control light

1K views 9 replies 7 participants last post by  JTSK 
#1 ·
I replaced all the dash light bulbs and the heat/vent control light ('95 YJ). Now that they all work, I see that the heat/vent control light bulb had burned away some of the black coloring from the surface covering. There is no burn through of the material, but the white light shows through at that spot when and should not. What have other folks done to successfully black out that spot? Sharpie, paint, other method? I'd like it to be undetectable when the lights are off during the day.
 
#4 ·
Dave Meyers you have inspired me.
The other night in heavy snowfall and heavy traffic I asked my wife to turn on the defroster. The socket that holds the bulb into the heater control housing is missing the ears and it won't stay plugged in. Wife was unable to turn the defroster on. I had to pull over so that I could direct my attention to adjusting the heater/defroster.
I would normally just reach down and do the adjustment because I know where the positions are but it was a white knuckle drive in that traffic and weather. Better safe than sorry.
Tomorrow I will go over to a fellow I know that is parting out several YJs, TJs and XJs. I will buy a replacement light socket along with a few other doo-dads. By keeping up with maintainance and repairs we are less likely to end up with greater repairs or getting stuck.
Thanks and Good Luck, L.M.
 
#5 ·
My bulb socket lost its ears too. I zip tied it into place until I do the same as you. I'll pick one up at the junkyard or a new one. I suspect many of our YJs are missing those socket ears as well as have the burn spot from the light bulb. I tried a bold sharpie and made minimal progress, will try a few more layers before giving up on that method. I'm all for maintenance and upkeep with this YJ. All my other off road rigs made me feel very behind in a game of catch up. I like having a rig in which I can actually focus on the details like light bulbs.
 
#6 ·
Nope, Sharpie doesn't work. The surface of the panel is too porous, almost like a fine mesh. It does not hold the ink. Back to the drawing board.
 
#8 ·
I will!
 
#9 ·
I used some black model paint but from the inside. So the problem with the black coming off is the heat from the 194 bulb that burns the coating on cheesy plastic that covers the HVAC dash control. Better to try a led bulb once you fix the burn.
 
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