Replace lighting behind the heater controls

On the 2004 Pontiac Vibe that I owned, I ended up taking it to the dealer. Perhaps this advice can avoid having you end up at the same place!

Remove the middle environmental control knob (fan blower speed, I think) by tugging on it until it comes off. Underneath you will find a single Phillips screw. Remove the screw and gently (so you don't mar it), pull at the plastic trim surrounding the environmental control area. It should pop out. You may also want to remove the two-prong AC outlet by prying it gently out with a small slotted screwdriver before attempting to pry out the trim panel.

After that panel is out of the way, you are ready to tackle the plastic trim surrounding the shift knob. Begin by removing the small holding compartment at the base of the shift knob. There is a single Philips screw holding the plastic piece to a supporting brace on the lower end. Four additional screws on the upper end are revealed by the removal of the environmental control trim piece as previously described.

Okay, from there, you're ready to gently pry loose the trim panel surrounding the shift knob.

The bulb can be located on the driver's side. It's a 'funny' looking bulb that is integrated into a two wire bundle. You may end up having to replace the bulb+wire bundle as a unit. The electrical connector is on the opposite side of the shift knob.

Good luck!

Remove door handle unscrewing screws behind screw covers on handle,remove all power sources, mirror knob, use plastic pry bar to pry loose all around panel. Pull panel toward yourself and genlyu try to lift it upward and pull free out.

1. pry out carefully the clock out, and remove its connectors
2. take out the screw behind the clock, and the 2 screws facing south below the center dash fascia
3, pull out the fascia (takes some force)
4. remove the 2 plug connectors of the climate control
5. look for the bulbs backside on the rear of the climate control, they look like a black plastic disc, smaller than a dime

disconnect the Neg battery terminal, however, make sure you have the reactivation code for the radio if you still have the original factory car stereo, this is important, if you do not have the code, the radio will be inoperative. carefully remove the defrost button from the panel face,disconnect the connector in the rear of the switch. remove the blower and temp controls by carefully prying them out, a small flat blade screwdriver works great. there should be 6 screws on the panel, once removed, pull the panel out far enough to remove/ disconnect the two wire connectors behind the assembly. once this is done, there are 5 screws on the back, remove and separate the heater/ac control assembly, replace and re-install as you have taken apart. this is how you would remove the assembly. i hope this solve your question.

This is the order you need to do it in:

1 speedo surround (this just pulls straight off)
unplug cables for speedo buttons.

2 heater panel this is secured with 2 screws (pointing downwards) that will be seen when you remove the speedo surround. there are also 2 screws hidden behind the heater control knobs

bottom section:
3 there are 2 screws hidden in the ashtray, also 2 screws just under the heater assembly,

Tools required: Phillips screwdriver, small flatblade screwdriver, rachet with 6 inch extension & 10mm socket.
1. Remove negative battery terminal (for stray voltage & airbags.)
2. Remove gear shift trim
3. Remove cable attached to lighter socket.
4. Remove center climate control knob and screw beneath it.
5. Gently pry both bottom corners of climate control face (up then towards the rear) until clear of lock.
6. Pull entire climate control console rearward until clips release. Leave all wiring attached.
7. Remove 4 bolts under radio (10mm.)
8. Gently pry between dash and AC ducting panel (both sides) and pull out.
9. 4 clip hold radio to ducting panel, gently pry while pulling radio out the back.
The rest should be easy...
9. 4 clips hols radio to

There is a plastic garnish surrounding the instrument cluster held in by 2 philips head screws. remove the screws and gently pry the garnish from top first then sides then it should pull out.

Then remove the 3 screws holding the cluster in place (2 bottom 1 top). Once that is done gently flip the cluster bottom up and pull out some to expose the wiring harness. Remove the 3 connectors from the back and then the cluster will pull out.

There are 3 bulbs that control the overall lighting of the cluster. They are spaced about every third across the rear of the cluster. They are the larger Green knobs. Remove the 3 large green knobs and replace the bulbs with the appropriate size. You can call your local parts store to find out the size.

Its a 5 minute job and does not require the entire removal of the dash board.

-ASE Master Tech
-Lexus Senior Tech
99 Corolla Owner.

to get to these you need to remove the box above by taking out the rectangular screw cover at the back and take out the one screw. gain access to the edge of the box with a flat tool and gently pull the box clear from its clips. now the 2 retaining screws should be visible that hold the controls in place after removing these you need to pull the controls quite firmly from its clips being careful not to damage the wiring to the back. this multiplug has to be released by pressing a retaing clip on the plug itself. once removed the whole unit needs to be separated into 2 halves being careful of static, by removing the screws on the back.once inside there are grey and white bulbs, white for the illumination and grey for the buttons (heated rear window and a/c etc)

trying to do the same on my 01. ready to change the bulb but can't find it anywhere.
anyhow, here's how you do it:

remove the dash by taking out 2 screws behind the ashtray and 2 above the instrument cluster
begin prying off the dash from the ashtray up, when you reach the heater vents stop. next take a flat head screwdriver and pry off the dash from the left side with the door open. work left to right till you reach the heater vents and it'll come right off. you don't necessarily have to unplug any of the electric connectors if you don't want to, but you;ll have to reach around the dash while working. all you need to do now is remove the heater control unit via the 4 screws around it, then unplug the electric harnesses from the back of it. make sure you remember which goes where. the bulbs are the 3 white (or is it 2 white and 1 grey) circles on the back of the control unit. just turn them with a flathead screwdriver and turn it over and give it a little bump to get 'em to fall out (or grab 'em with a needle nose pliers if necessary). anyhow, that's how it's done, question is, where do ya find the bulbs?

Unfortunately, you can do it, but you will have to remove your entire dash in the process.  It's not really difficult, just time consuming.  You can remove the front dash cover by opening the doors and removing the covers on each side.  They are just clips that hold them on.  Take a flat screwdriver and carefully pry them off. You will then see screws on the side that you will need to unbolt, and I believe there are 2 more screws pointed upwards that you can get to if you open your glovebox.  After those screws are removed, remove the defroster grill in the middle of your dash.  There is just one screw to remove and it unclips.  Now you can pry the entire top part of the dashboard off.  There are more clips holding it on, so just be careful when you do it. After that, you will see a bunch of screws on the top side that you can unbolt and then you will be able to remove the front cover that sits behind your steering wheel. With these pieces out of the way, you can finally unbolt the front cover where your stereo is and get at whatever your trying to get at to fix your defroster/control knob.  
I had to go through all this when I installed my aftermarket stereo.
Good Luck!