Need help! Climate control burned by bulb!

[Hartge330ci]

I installed this unit yesterday and it was working fine. Last night after my light were on for about 5 minutes I smelled a burnt plastic smell. I realized the bulb on the temperature dial was melting the plastic housing and quickly pulled out the bulb, but it was too late. It had melted the entire mounting area and housing. I removed the unit today and realized the same thing has happened, but to a lesser degree on the opposite side by the fan speed selector switch. The two in the center are fine. I remember the center bulbs seemed to seat better in the center mounts then in the outside mounts, but even though the outside ones, especially the one on the dial side had some wiggle room, I never expected this to happen. I have attached pictures of the damage. Have you guys seen this before? I used 2723 size bulbs, clear ones in all slots... those are the correct bulbs, right?

[Oracle12345]

"I used 2723 size bulbs, clear ones in all slots... those are the correct bulbs, right?"

No

#2721 from slyvania

Should of checked out the forums good diy section of the forums.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=1345856

[Hartge330ci]

crap! I matched them by size and the 2721 seemed larger so I thought I needed the 2723 but I see now the wattage is higher

[SD Blue]

You may be able to bend those tabs back in place by placing a soldering iron near the plastic to slightly re-soften then hold in place till cool. I had the same thing on mine from the PO, along with the dash lights. With the plastic housings used on this car, the wattage is very important.

(Many parts places don't understand why I would rather run around with a burnt out bulb rather than use a "similar" bulb. Their thinking is "a little brighter is a good thing". But then, they don't realize the hassle of trying to find new plastic housings and reflectors.)

[Bens lover]

http://benzguy.piczo.com/replacingbulbsinheatercontrolpanel?cr=7&linkvar=000044

[Hartge330ci]

Ok, I tried to put in 1,2 watt frosted bulbs, but the plastic still melted slightly. I also tried LED bulbs put they wouldn't fit. I am at a loss as to what to do at this point....

[toomany MBZ]

Originally Posted by Bens lover

http://benzguy.piczo.com/replacingbulbsinheatercontrolpanel?cr=7&linkvar=000044

Nice work Dan!

[smyythe]

I found some led bulbs on ebay, and did mine. Came out good but I might go back to a regular bulb for the fiber optic switch lights. I used blue to go with the interior.