97 XK8 coupe
Many of the backlights on the console and shifter are out, so I guess I need to get a bunch of replacement bulbs. Radio, climate control, seat heaters, etc.
My question is are there specific part numbers or types I should be looking for?
I thought I'd ask before pulling the console apart.

 

O, I'm in a similar position, just gotta get around to it. So, I too will be watching the responses.

In the meantime let me share a couple of my learnings on this subject.

The bulbs under the shifter are soldered in place. Given what I'm about to say they must be incandescent not LED bulbs. When I replaced one of mine, the website offered 2 versions of the clear bullet shaped bulb. Like all the other bulbs I can think of they use a blue slip on cover for the color.
Anyway back to bulb selection. They offered the bulb in a short version and in a longer version. Yes, I fell for bigger is better(ha ha). When I opened the unit to solder - all the other bulbs were short! Oh well I soldered it in, put it back together. Light output was about the same, but! Heat output wasn't! The short stubby bulbs run much cooler! Lesson learned.

Now, the instrument panel bulbs. Will you go with LED or stock? Some folks like LED, especially for daytime visibility, others not so much. If you're interested I remember that PrettyBlueFin wrote about size, selection, and more before she passed away. You could probably search her name & LED to learn more.

Gosh I think I bought a handful of the LEDS based on her comments, that'll be fun to hunt down someday.

John

 

Solved some of the problem, though still have a couple of issues. Main solution was to turn up the brightness...duh! still need a new bulb in the climate display and the seat heaters aren't showing any lights. Nothing from the front or rear defrosters either...hmm

 

I love these ez fixes!

 

I had to replace several of the instrument panel and climate control bulbs back in February 2018. I stayed with the normal incandescent bulbs, and there were multiple bulb sizes involved. The instrument panel bulbs were Type 37 and Type 194, and I found them at my local NAPA store. The climate control bulbs were Type KT925, and I ordered them from Candlepower Inc.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/265083184880
Click on the link above. These lights work so well on my 2001 xk8 I ordered a set for my 2004 XKR. When you receive them,, be sure to test each bulb to identify the positive side. You'll need to install with the Positive side down.