Radio Light Fix
I followed the directions on this link to fix all three bulbs on mine.
http://www.automotivehelper.com/topic446329.htm
I used Radio Shack 272-1092 light bulbs and bought a small soldering iron from Radio Shack for $8 bucks.
Notes: Mark the ribbon wires when you pull them from the radio. Both are the same and you don't want to mix them up. Also, clip the wires close to the bulbs so your soldering wire to wire and not wire to circuit board.
Here's the write up:
I just repaired the display in the CD/Radio. As suggested in another forum here - It is lightbulbs soldered onto the circuit board. The whole thing start to finish took an hour (including a drive to buy light bulbs) and has ended a year of frustration over not knowing what's on the radio or what track the CD is playing.
In a nutshell:
I've got a 2000 Montana.
Open the ashtray - (drinktray on later models)
Remove the two 7mm bolts on either side of the ashtray slider
Pull the console faceplate out at the bottom. The top hooks to the dask with tabs.
Remove the three 7mm bolts that hold the radio in. Unplug the wire harness and the antenna wire. (Ignore the Theftlock) - I suspect that's just a flashing light!!!
Remove the bottom plate of the radio with a flat screwdriver. (No screws -just snap on tabs around the edges.
Remove the plastic faceplate - snap on tabs around perimeter.
Unplug the two wire ribbons that connect the faceplate inside the unit. (Remember which is which as they look like the same plugs...)
Remove the circuit board from the inside of the faceplate. (5 tiny bolts)
Don't let all the control buttons fall on the floor like I did...
The control display is a metal box attached with metal tabs through the board and bent over on the backside. Flatten out the tabs and remove this display. You'll see three lighbulbs that resemble LED's. Go to Radio Shack or somewhere that sells electronics, and match them up the best you can with something 12volt.
Re and Re the bulbs with a pencil soldering iron, and put the whole thing back together the way it came apart.
I bought clear bulbs and wasn't sure about colour. The display came up red to match the rest of the dash - Just like new!
One of the more annoying things crossed off the Montana to do list.
Next is power window switches and the gas guage...
Thanks to everyone here for the advice I've received and I hope this helps someone else out.
For such an annoying problem, this was a really easy fix.
