Dash light bulb repair

DaveG55 · 11-20-2012, 10:21 AM

Ok, does anyone else think that $4-$5 for a single replacement dash light bulb is a bit over the top? How can Honda charge that much when you can buy LED replacements for well under 1/2 that price?
The thing is, I don't want to switch all of them over to LED. I'm perfectly content with the look of the stock dash lighting.
So, after some searching I found a reference here on ROC that a Radio Shack bulb can be made to work. I did not see a how-to so I thought I'd write one up.

The bulb you need is Radio Shack #7219 micro lamp, 12V, .6ma, wire base. They come in a 2 pack for $1.99.
The actual procedure is much like the mini Christmas tree light replacement.

Unbend the wires on the existing light base, be sure to make note of how the wires are bent around the base.
Pull the old bulb out.
Insert the new bulb into the base.
Bend the wires around the base like they were on the original bulb.
Clip off the extra wire.

The new bulb is now in but, you will undoubtedly have noticed that the old bulb has a colored end on it. This colored end is actually a small rubber cap that my wife described as a bulb condom...
Anyway, that little rubber cap will easily come off and go back onto the newly installed bulb.
This whole thing takes less than 10 minutes and a total cost of about $1 and is extremely easy to do. I'm attaching some step-by-step photos in case the written directions are unclear.

DaveG55 · 11-20-2012, 10:23 AM

More photos.

e_piph_a_ny · 11-20-2012, 10:42 AM

Dave,

Great write up. I have several burnt bulbs but have been waiting to replace them. Question: the Honda OEM part number differs for each spot on the dashboard. How does your single Radio Shack part number work with that?

Thanks!

DaveG55 · 11-20-2012, 10:58 AM

The Honda bulbs are, as near as I can tell, only different in the color of the base and the color of the rubber cap. The underlying bulb appears to me to be the same in all of the ones I have looked at so far.

e_piph_a_ny · 11-20-2012, 11:17 AM

Beautiful! I'm off to the nearest RS...

Googled the part number and found out (in other forums) that this bulb works for Nissan, Infiniti, VW, BMW, Audi, Chevy, GMC and Honda Accord as well.

Mods should definitely sticker this valuable post!!

John's Ridge · 11-20-2012, 08:22 PM

Great post, thanks all!!!

speedlever · 11-20-2012, 08:59 PM

Sticky... agreed.

Good post Dave.

roakey · 11-25-2012, 10:45 AM

Fantastic find, thank you!

It'll be interesting to see if the RS bulb lasts longer than the OEM bulbs!

Roak

butternut82 · 02-16-2013, 02:43 PM

Thanks for the write up. I just finished replacing the bulbs in my RTX. Way cheaper than paying for OEM. 16 bucks to do them all.

It seems that when the dash bulbs start going out, your battery is dying. I had about half the bulbs burn out right before my battery died. Apparently low voltage does odd things in the ridgeline.

Thanks again for the write up

jeb · 02-16-2013, 03:53 PM

Quick question,,, is the VTM-4 Lock button supposed to light up? All my lights on my dash and all the power window buttons light up, but I have noticed that one does not.

11-20-2012, 10:21 AM	#1
DaveG55 ROC Rank: Junior 2006 RTL Billet Silver Metallic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: South of Atlanta Posts: 259	Dash light bulb repair Ok, does anyone else think that $4-$5 for a single replacement dash light bulb is a bit over the top? How can Honda charge that much when you can buy LED replacements for well under 1/2 that price? The thing is, I don't want to switch all of them over to LED. I'm perfectly content with the look of the stock dash lighting. So, after some searching I found a reference here on ROC that a Radio Shack bulb can be made to work. I did not see a how-to so I thought I'd write one up. The bulb you need is Radio Shack #7219 micro lamp, 12V, .6ma, wire base. They come in a 2 pack for $1.99. The actual procedure is much like the mini Christmas tree light replacement. Unbend the wires on the existing light base, be sure to make note of how the wires are bent around the base. Pull the old bulb out. Insert the new bulb into the base. Bend the wires around the base like they were on the original bulb. Clip off the extra wire. The new bulb is now in but, you will undoubtedly have noticed that the old bulb has a colored end on it. This colored end is actually a small rubber cap that my wife described as a bulb condom... Anyway, that little rubber cap will easily come off and go back onto the newly installed bulb. This whole thing takes less than 10 minutes and a total cost of about $1 and is extremely easy to do. I'm attaching some step-by-step photos in case the written directions are unclear. Attached Images __________________ 2006 RTL, Billet Silver Metalic, 15% window tint, Aires chrome step rails, Advantage Torza tonneau cover, PA15-HON2 I-Pod/Aux adapter, BT35-HON bluetooth adapter, Infinity Reference 1031t dash tweeter upgrade, Infinity Reference 6022i speakers (front doors), Infinity Reference 5022i speakers (rear doors), power point in center console, Aux In jack between heated seat butons, rear power outlets always on, power tailgate lock mod.

11-20-2012, 10:23 AM	#2
DaveG55 ROC Rank: Junior 2006 RTL Billet Silver Metallic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: South of Atlanta Posts: 259	Re: Dash light bulb repair More photos. Attached Images __________________ 2006 RTL, Billet Silver Metalic, 15% window tint, Aires chrome step rails, Advantage Torza tonneau cover, PA15-HON2 I-Pod/Aux adapter, BT35-HON bluetooth adapter, Infinity Reference 1031t dash tweeter upgrade, Infinity Reference 6022i speakers (front doors), Infinity Reference 5022i speakers (rear doors), power point in center console, Aux In jack between heated seat butons, rear power outlets always on, power tailgate lock mod.

11-20-2012, 10:42 AM	#3
e_piph_a_ny ROC Rank: 3k Comma Club 2006 RTL Steel Blue / Gray Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: La La Land Posts: 3,406	Re: Dash light bulb repair Dave, Great write up. I have several burnt bulbs but have been waiting to replace them. Question: the Honda OEM part number differs for each spot on the dashboard. How does your single Radio Shack part number work with that? Thanks! __________________ Erntemaschinen der Grimms

11-20-2012, 10:58 AM	#4
DaveG55 ROC Rank: Junior 2006 RTL Billet Silver Metallic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: South of Atlanta Posts: 259	Re: Dash light bulb repair The Honda bulbs are, as near as I can tell, only different in the color of the base and the color of the rubber cap. The underlying bulb appears to me to be the same in all of the ones I have looked at so far. __________________ 2006 RTL, Billet Silver Metalic, 15% window tint, Aires chrome step rails, Advantage Torza tonneau cover, PA15-HON2 I-Pod/Aux adapter, BT35-HON bluetooth adapter, Infinity Reference 1031t dash tweeter upgrade, Infinity Reference 6022i speakers (front doors), Infinity Reference 5022i speakers (rear doors), power point in center console, Aux In jack between heated seat butons, rear power outlets always on, power tailgate lock mod.

11-20-2012, 11:17 AM	#5
e_piph_a_ny ROC Rank: 3k Comma Club 2006 RTL Steel Blue / Gray Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: La La Land Posts: 3,406	Re: Dash light bulb repair Beautiful! I'm off to the nearest RS... Googled the part number and found out (in other forums) that this bulb works for Nissan, Infiniti, VW, BMW, Audi, Chevy, GMC and Honda Accord as well. Mods should definitely sticker this valuable post!! __________________ Erntemaschinen der Grimms Last edited by e_piph_a_ny; 11-20-2012 at 11:45 AM.

11-20-2012, 08:22 PM	#6
John's Ridge ROC Rank: Junior 2008 RTS Nimbus Gray Metallic Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Monterey, TN Posts: 280	Re: Dash light bulb repair Great post, thanks all!!! __________________ *John's Ridge* Mods inc: Roof Rack, Black Nerf Bars, Hood Deflector, Window Visors, Access Roll Up Tonneau Cover, BedRug, John Made Trunk Cover and Dividers, ExactSeat Covers, Reciever, S5 Dude goodies (Cubby Cover, Sill Plates, Front and Rear License Holders), Scanguage, Weathertech Mats, Alpine door speakers.:

11-20-2012, 08:59 PM	#7
speedlever Moderator 2008 RTS Billet Silver Metallic Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: High Point, NC Posts: 14,095	Re: Dash light bulb repair Sticky... agreed. Good post Dave. __________________ 2008 Ridgeline RTS in BSM 2006 Pilot EXL-RES in BSM

11-25-2012, 10:45 AM	#8
roakey ROC Rank: Junior 2007 RTS Billet Silver Metallic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Colorado Springs, CO, USA Posts: 483	Re: Dash light bulb repair Fantastic find, thank you! It'll be interesting to see if the RS bulb lasts longer than the OEM bulbs! Roak __________________ roakeyatunderctekdotcom <= Mighty Murphy, the wonder Bouv!

02-16-2013, 02:43 PM	#9
butternut82 ROC Rank: Freshman 2008 RTX Billet Silver Metallic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: columbia, South Carolina Posts: 73	Re: Dash light bulb repair Thanks for the write up. I just finished replacing the bulbs in my RTX. Way cheaper than paying for OEM. 16 bucks to do them all. It seems that when the dash bulbs start going out, your battery is dying. I had about half the bulbs burn out right before my battery died. Apparently low voltage does odd things in the ridgeline. Thanks again for the write up

02-16-2013, 03:53 PM	#10
jeb ROC Rank: Senior 2008 LX Formal Black Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Yellowknife NWT Posts: 575	Re: Dash light bulb repair Quick question,,, is the VTM-4 Lock button supposed to light up? All my lights on my dash and all the power window buttons light up, but I have noticed that one does not. __________________ 2008 LX Mods: Battery Blanket (ha) 2007 420 Rancher TRX420FM Previous Rides: 2010 Honda Civic Sport, 2003 Acura MDX, 2005 Acura TL, 1998 Accord V6 EXL, 1995 Accord EX (x3), 1995 Acura Integra

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