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Replacing LCD backlight bulbs on OEM radio
Topic Started: Aug 8 2017, 02:55 AM (438 Views)
suzukitom
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Tom

Just about to disassemble my new to me Suzuki Esteem OEM radio. It works fine but the LCD backlight lights behind the display readout does not work and is only readable in broad daylight.

I think I will find some soldered in xenon bulbs after I uncrimp the LCD panel from the circuit board... pictures posted hopefully tomorrow after it's fixed.
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Stiffchezze
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Sir Metrologist

Which one did you get? I'm assuming the Clarion model?
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suzukitom
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Tom

I think it's a Clarion. It has Suzuki stamped on the front.

It looks like this one.
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I might modify the backlight to use 12v leds depending on how hard it is to remove and solder new bulbs.
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Edited by suzukitom, Aug 8 2017, 01:45 PM.
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suzukitom
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Tom

It took about an hour and a half to get access to the 2 backlight bulbs.

I'm going to comment on 4 pictures at a time:

The top and bottom covers are attached with Phillips screws. A jewellers tool set works well. Precise fitting tools are good, otherwise you will be drilling a few screws out (ask me how I know this).

The cassette tape transport section is attached to the center of the radio chassis, and can be lifted out after removing some Phillips screws.

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The front fascia of the radio is held on by metal tabs on each side. The plastic face is fragile and gentle prying will remove this piece from the metal chassis. The fascia wiring female sub connector attached to the main circuit board male pin connector will let go when the face is pried loose.

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Remove the pressed on volume knob from the front of the fascia and several Phillips screws holding the circuit board from the backside. T-pins will come in handy to gently get under the circuit board and pry it off the 2 piece plastic fascia and trim plate. The tabs on the fascia and trim plate are very flimsy, so be patient while prying the circuit board out. If you encounter anything other than slight resistance while unlocking each tab, you will break something. This part took quite a while. Stop and take a break if your progress feels too slow.

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Some black tape covers the circuit board under the LCD panel. When you remove it, you will see how Clarion soldered the metal cover to the circuit board. This metal cover protects the delicate LCD panel underneath. Most other radio makers just twist the metal tabs a bit in each slot in the circuit board. This holds the cover on but makes it easy to service the LCD. In this case, I had to use solder wick (copper weave) to soak up the solder with a soldering gun so that I could unlock the 3 metal tabs and remove the metal cover.

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There are two 8 volt subminiature light bulbs (not LEDs) at each end of the LCD panel, and you can only remove the bulbs after removing the metal cover. The soldering gun and soldering wick (low heat setting) was used again to soak up the solder holding on the bulbs, while prying gently up under the bulbs on the other side of the circuit board with a T pin until they were loose.

The two tiny LCD backlighting bulbs are 8 Volts and I think 105ma bulbs. You can use 12V rated bulbs if necessary, but the backlighting will be dimmer since the bulbs will only get 8V. The green covers can be pried off and reused. The bulbs have bases to keep the leads from touching each other. That's all for today. I need to find new bulbs tomorrow.

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Edited by suzukitom, Aug 9 2017, 01:32 AM.
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suzukitom
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Tom

A little mini rant. Yes, radios are throwaway technology.. but..

Called Clarion customer service looking for light bulbs. They tell me to contact an authorized dealer for service parts questions. Contacted the local service depot. They said if a light bulb is burned out to buy a new radio.

Thanks very much Clarion... :shit

The bulb I'm looking for is rare. It's 8V 3 mm. Dia.× 3 mm. Long and 105 ma. rated

Found another old Clarion faceplate in my " ?? Misc. WTF am I am keeping this?" bin.

Desoldered 4 bulbs. One was good. Soldered that in.

Half a backlight...Yay

Googled up a sweat...found an online seller 10 miles away with the bulbs for 95 cents each.. how many do you want he asks... all of them I say...

Gonna pick them up tomorrow.. B-)


Edit: why yes... I am a little OCD.. :lol :coffee :spaz
Edited by suzukitom, Aug 10 2017, 07:49 PM.
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suzukitom
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Tom

Got the spare bulbs today. Desoldered the bad bulb and swapped out the little green rubber tint thingy onto the new bulb.

Used a pin and soldering gun to push the solder out of the two holes so I could insert the new bulb leads. Tiny dab of solderand it's time to reassemble the radio.

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Back in the dashboard.. let there be backlight! Yay! :banana

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Edited by suzukitom, Aug 11 2017, 11:27 PM.
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Mythstae
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:thumb
Nice work, Tom.
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suzukitom
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Tom

Thanks Mythstae. Little things like fully working dash lights make a big difference when driving my Metro.

I'm that guy that always rolls down my window at traffic lights to tell people which taillights on their car are not working. :drivin
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charliesdad
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Now that is diligence in action!!!! Super focus and work my friend!
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