98 Bonnie Radio/Clock display doesn't work

:banghead:
I just bought a 1998 Bonnie I love, EXCEPT: The radio / clock display doesn't work. It tunes fine, and if I shine a flashlight on it, I can dimly see numbers, but it doesn't light up!

This is my eighth Bonneville, and the second one with this problem (the other was a '94). A friend's '97 does the same thing. Has anyone ran across this, and is it fixable? Is the fix cost effective or am I better off just using the"seek" button and programmable station buttons?

JD

The bulb that backlights the display has burned out. Radio shack sells the replacement bulb for a couple of bucks, and if you're mechanically inclined, it's relatively easy to replace. It will require you to remove the radio and disassemble it, but it's not difficult.

:banghead:
I just bought a 1998 Bonnie I love, EXCEPT: The radio / clock display doesn't work. It tunes fine, and if I shine a flashlight on it, I can dimly see numbers, but it doesn't light up!

This is my eighth Bonneville, and the second one with this problem (the other was a '94). A friend's '97 does the same thing. Has anyone ran across this, and is it fixable? Is the fix cost effective or am I better off just using the"seek" button and programmable station buttons?

JD

Everything you need to know is here.
It is extremely simple, about a 20 minute job, just make sure the radio is not powered when you do this.

http://www.corvetteradios.com/Page7.html

The bulb that backlights the display has burned out. Radio shack sells the replacement bulb for a couple of bucks, and if you're mechanically inclined, it's relatively easy to replace. It will require you to remove the radio and disassemble it, but it's not difficult.

You can't buy the bulb he's referring to at Radio Shack. It's a proprietary bulb. Only authorized Delco repair centers can buy them new from the distributor. Some of the repair centers will sell them without actually doing the repair themselves.

As for that corvette radios link, I noticed something interesting about that page. It says "New & Used Electronics Parts." It doesn't say the bulb you're getting is new. It also doesn't indicate if there is a warranty. Does that mean it might burn out in a few weeks too?

I'd just go to www.replacementradios.com (http://www.replacementradios.com) Here's the link to that repair and they give a warranty and use brand new parts:

http://replacementradios.com/product_info.php?cPath=289_316&products_id=139

Funny, i bought mine for my wifes 97 Trans Sport at radio shack, I just can't remember the part number. They run $4.95 each at a factory authorized repair center, only $2.50 or so at the Shack. You'll need the old bulb with you, as they can't look it up by application.

They do not sell the original display bulbs for that radio at Radio Shack. They are proprietary. Perhaps you got a different bulb and made it work by soldering or perhaps you are talking about a different bulb other than the one that backlights the display? Or perhaps you removed the bulb from the special brown base and managed to get a new one in there?