Saturn Clock/Radio Light Repair 1995 SL2

An occasionally reported problem is failure of the back light on the
LCD clock/radio display. An internally soldered-in-place tiny light
bulb burns out. When this happens, you cannot read the time or station
at night. One answer has been to replace the radio. That is what
dealers suggest. After all, it is a $60 radio (nominal value, not
what you paid for it.) But the repair parts cost about $6 plus an hour
or so of time.

I was able to fix mine. While the bulb is not a standard value or
size, if you are handy with hand tools and electronics soldering, it
can be replaced with a white LED and give satisfactory results. I
used a bright white LED (Radio Shack part #276-320) in series with a
1000 ohm 1/2 watt resistor. I connected the short (cathod or -) lead
of the LED to the lower solder point of the old bulb. I connected the
longer (anode or +) lead to the resistor and the resistor to the top
solder point where the lamp was removed. (If the LED does not light,
you may have it in backwards, so test before you fully button it up in
the car.)

Of course you have to remove the radio, instructions can be found on
the web. Remove the knobs and front faceplate (2 torx screws) and
then bend the 6 metal ears holding the controls circuit board so you
can tip it forward (be careful not the damage the ribbon cables on the
bottom edge) to get to the back. Clip out the old bulb, then solder in
the new bulb and resistor (it just fits), then put it all back
together. When you put the circuit board back in place you may need
some insulating tape behind the LED and resistor to prevent a short to
the case.

Because LEDs tend to be directional, look for one with as wide a
viewing angle as you can (the Radio Shack part I mentioned is fairly
wide). To increase the viewing angle I used some 220 grit sand paper
to gough up the clear lens of the LED to make it more of a diffuser
and spread the beam for more uniform back light. The 1000 ohm
resistor limits the current through the LED to about 1/2 of its
nominal rating, and it is plenty bright.