I have a 2003 ls outlander and it seems the panel lighting where the controls for the fan, ac/heat and venting are all out. Is there anyway to get back there and replace these bulbs/led ? I checked the fuses they all seem to be ok... In addition the ac/heat control knob sticks, I think it may somehow be related. The Mitsubishi dealership I went to wanted $893.00 to remove dashboard sections. Is there anyway around this? Any help would be appreciated.


Thanks in advance... Tony

$893.00!!!!! Are you talking about the center panel where the three knobs are (AC/Heater temp, Fan Speed and Vent control + 3 push buttons)?

If so, pry off the cover, you will see a clear plastic piece held on with 2 phillip screws. Under that are 2 bulbs with blue tips. Twist / Pull them out.

Go to a part store or mitsubishi dealer and buy new bulbs - $3.00. The bulbs I bought came in a plactic housing (like small christmas light). I separated the bulbs and inserted them in the ones that came off the car.

I didn't peel off the blue tip off the old blubs and now the new bulbs light up console a 1000 times more - oh well

Hope this helps

your the greatest, thanks a lot :)

(tr87526) forgot to mention; the 3 knobs just pull straight out and then inside where the buttons where are 2 philips screws that you have to remove before you can pull the panel. I did replace mine with LEDs. Tryed blue LEDs but the red part of the display turn kinda purpleish so I installed Xenon white ones instead. These work perfectly and they won't burn out (so they say). The third picture shows the bulb I pulled out and the LED one I replaced it with. Today I decide to replace the clock bulbs because one of them was burnt so I also replaced these by LED. You can compare I put up the pictures.


As for the knobs sticking that is a design flaw. There is a rubber seal that flips over and makes it hard to turn but if you turn your knob the opposite way and come back you will have flipped this seal and you will find it flows through the whole cycle fairly easily.

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After removing the two screws , how do I remove the panel without scratching it up, does it just pull out? I have some free time and wanna start working on it. I really appreciate your help buddy :beer: .OH! and the images look cool, might follow your lead. :liebe011:

4 clips hold it in place. Grab it by the inside bottom where the knobs were and pull straight out, then you can pull the top the same way. 2 more screws will hold the light diffuser which you have to remove to access the bulbs. They are wedge bulbs so they just pull out. If you go with LED's, these are polarized so you have a 50-50 chance it won't light up on first install if it doesn't just flip it 180 degrees. Then reverse the process to re-assemble.

Thanks Outy, mission accomplished, I managed to get identical bulbs from a nearby auto parts store. You've been a great help, much appreciated :beer: