Replacing LCDs in HVAC and Radio

I need help in replacing LCDs in the HVAC control module, Radio and Steering wheel controls.

About half of the LCDs in buttons for my HVAC control module and Radio are out. All of the lights in the steering wheel controls are out.

I have already opened and accessed the circuit board in the HVAC module and hope to gain access to the internals of the Radio. The LCDs in the HVAC are soldered on the circuit board and I expect the same for the radio.

Question 1: is it normal to lose a large number of LCDs (half of them) in the HVAC and Radio?

A little more info: Many of the LCDs that are out are grouped. i.e. the 4 LCDs in the four buttons in the right half of the HVAC are out, but the ones that are out to the left are at more random positions.

Quesiton 2: How do I determine the right LCDs to purchase and where to get them.

My only idea was to unsolder a good one, use a power generator to test the voltage and current that makes it light and then go to RAdio Shack and purchase similar ones. I would like to know if this is the best approach or if there are companies that specialize in this sort of repair. I've been unable to find anyone that does this and the dealers around here were no help.

Question 3: Same questions as above for the steering wheel lights, although they look more like lcd light bulbs than the solder types.

Question 4: Any help with removal of radio and replacement with regards to anti-theft code would be appreciated. I have the radio code. Also, I once replaced the battery and did not have a problem with the radio, so since it is original for the car, maybe taking it out and putting back will not present a problem. Would like confirmation on this.

I know this is a long post with many questions. Partial answers as well as advise on all the questions will be appreciated.

Thanks

the hvac bulbs are soldered into the board?!?!?!?!???....WTF!!!
that's dissapointing, I have a bulb out there too. I know the radio bulbs are soldered in and that's not a suprise, but the HVAC should NOT be soldered in!!!

just finished doing this to the HVAC controller

you can grab a desoldering kit from radio shack(it makes instillation easier and its only 7-10 bucks) also grab 6 or 7 of these :

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2104023&y=5&x=11&retainProdsInSession=1

then desolder the old bulbs off the board and put the new ones back on...also note this is for the BULBS not the LED's that are used as the orange indicators

...further note, the old bulbs will have a blue film on them, carefully remove theses and put them on the new bulbs

good luck

Good info. I asked this question about a month or so ago. Maybe I didn't word it right. I'll be up at radio shack soon looking for these bulbs, and they are bulbs, Not LED's. I'm still looking for the 1/4 turn bulbs in my lighting control panel control background circuit. They are not soldered in. I image the dealer might have them but i haven't looked yet. Might want to use a heat sink when soldering them in.

Yes they are Bulbs...I wish they were LEDS because they would last nearly forever.

As for the soldering itself, I didnt use a Heatsink, and i havent had any problems, really i just took breaks between each bulb, to let the board cool down. let me know how it goes...good luck