Finally, I couldn't find information on how to solve the problem of my 2006 R50 half illuminated HVAC panel.

So, this morning i've decided to make some research by myself in my car.

1. Remove the lateral bits of the center console, and the stereo headunit.

2. Through the opening left by the stereo, you'll see a steel cable attached to a green housing. This cable allows select one of the vents available (feet, face, windshield). Press the black catches and pull it backwards firmly.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...0#pid=30126333

3. With the steel cable disconnected, you can push the right side of the HVAC panel, to rotate and retire it by the opening. (Otherwise you have to disassemble the whole front panel)

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1190875070

4. On the rear of the HVAC panel you'll find 2 connectors. Release them.

5. Now, you have the HVAC panel attached to the car only for the bowden cable that allows to select the heating temperature.
To release it, pull hard by the blue tab trying to rotate the cable by their axis.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...0#pid=30126320

6. Now you have the HVAC panel ouside the car. The black front cover is held by 4 clips (2 on the upper side, 2 in the lower side). Carefully push them with a set of pliers.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1190875070

7. Remove the *****, forcing them with a screwdriver. DO NOT ROTATE OR CHANGE THE POSITION OF THE CENTER **** it may damage severely the fan regulator mechanism. ( I've make this mistake, buy fortunately i could fix them easily).

8. Now, you have to remove the electrical board. It is secured by tiny tabs that look similar to this:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1190875070

once removed, on the back you'll find two sockets that contains a pair of 12V 1,5W bulbs (FINALLY THERE ARE INCANDESCENT BULBS, NOT SURFACE LEDS :

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1190875070

9. Voilá:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1190875070

 

Ouch!
Facebook doesn't show the photos if you are not connected.

So, i've uploaded the pictures to NAM site.

Here are the pictures:

Step 2:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co.../IMG_06952.JPG

Step 3:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...m/IMG_0718.JPG


Step 5:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co.../IMG_07121.JPG

Step 6:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co.../IMG_07102.JPG

Step 8:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co.../IMG_07031.JPG

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co.../IMG_06963.JPG

Step 9:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...m/IMG_0701.JPG

 

I hate to dredge up an old thread, but I can't seem to find anything else about replacing these lights. Where did you find your replacement bulbs? The dealer parts counter couldn't help me.

 

I've found them in a common auto accessory store.
Here in Chile we have plenty of them.

The bulbs that i bought are made by Osram/Sylvania; and are pretty similar to the 5W5 installed in the side markers (fish tail bulbs), with the only difference that are 1,5 W.

Note that i bought only the bulb, not the socket. You have to pull out the burnt bulb out out the black socket.

 

Thanks for posting this, it helped a lot.