How do you replace or repair a 2006 Toyota Matrix dashboard heater control light?

Answer 1

This is for my 06 matrix XR automatic transmission.

I am not in any way a licensed repair person...I have received no training. I simply enjoy fixing things on my own and I did recently change only the left bulb successfully (the right one was still working thank god). The right one seems like a much more complicated fix as I'll explain below.

I'm sitting at home right now, and not at my car, so hopefully my memory will serve me correctly.

Here's how I did it:

1) Remove the trimming around the radio. To do this, I simply put my fingers underneath it (right about the A/C control knobs) and lifted up and out. It came off very easily.

2) Remove the center A/C control knob simply by pulling it out. Behind it, remove the single screw.

3) Use a trim/moulding remover tool (or in my case a flathead screwdriver with tape on the end to protect the moulding) to pry out the AC power panel. (there are about 6 places it latches to the dash. I started prying the right side and just carefully pulled it out. There's a longer latch on the upper left hand corner so that might take some wiggling to get out).

3) Disconnect the wiring from this panel and set aside.

4) Using your trim/moulding remover tool, remove the panel covering the remaining A/C control knobs, the cigarette lighter and surrounding the gear shifter. Start below the gear shifter and pry up the thin stripe of moulding. There are about 4-6 places you need to pry to get them to pop out and release. The final two attachment points are the top right and left corners...if you wiggle it left and right while you pull outward, the whole piece will come out.

5) Disconnect the wiring from this panel as well and set aside. (Keep in mind the wiring from the A/C power unit will need to be placed back through this housing before you reinstall this panel)

6) You should now be able to see the bulbs. Unfortunately, they are mounted from behind. Place one hand in the cavity of your car that you just exposed, just below the bulb, and witih the other hand, use plyers to gently unscrew the bulb and it should fall backwards and into your open hand. (try not to squeeze too hard or the bulb will shatter as it did in my case, though it was much easier to remove once that happened :) )

7) Loop some tape around your finger, sticky side out and stick the replacement bulb on it. Then snake your finger up and behind and push the bulb into it's socket. Grab it with your other hand with plyers and twist it into place.

****WARNING - My replacment bulb cost me $10 and I was not excited about the idea of dropping the bulb into the cavity of my car never to be found again. I practiced this move several times before trying it and kept my hand open in case it fell off. You might be able to rig some sort of catch if you're worried.

8) Test the lights by turning the lights on.

9) Replace all wiring and reverse the disassembly instructions above. All of the panels snap back into place. Remember to slot the A/C wiring cables through the housing from step 4 before snapping it back into place.

To replace the right bulb, it seems necessary to remove the remaining AC control knob unit (in my car it's white) but the service manual I used seems to ask you to blindly disconnect the wire controlling the A/C airflow direction and simultaneously warns you that bending it at all will decrease the capabilities of your car. I felt around for it and couldn't immediately figure out how to disconnect it so I gave up.

Hope this helps!