On the '93 SSEi, is the shift quadrant (the "prindle" thingy: PRNDL) in the console supposed to light up so that you can actually read the letters, or just the red dot indicating which gear you're in?

Mine'* dark, except for that dot lighting up from underneath, and it looks a little weird that way. Everything else down there is lit: pushbuttons, seat control rockers, ashtray, etc...

I think there is a TSB on that.

Mine lights, but it lights poorly. I think it is a bad design. It appears as if the console is supposed to get its light from the ash tray lamp.

Thanks. Any idea where I might find a copy? Are those available here on the site someplace?

Yeah, I see some light leakage from under the lid of the ashtray (which I never open 'cause I don't smoke anymore and it'* not much good for anything else). Maybe the bulb'* gotten out of position. Will take a closer look at that when the temperature in the garage gets somewhere above freezing...

Those TSB'* are on Alldata'* site. They charge for access. Possibly Willwren or Deathrat has that one available.

My guess is that most of the consoles are poorly lit because of the way they are designed.

The Prndl thingy picks up light from the lamp on the edge of the plastic, almost like fiber optics. It'* a spring loaded assembly, and can get knocked out of whack somewhat.

Mine lights up very well, but that might be horsepower related

Remove your shifter ****, and pull the 2 screws under your ashtray. Lift the top of the center console (it pivots from the rear), and take a peek. You'll need a torx for the screws.

Not a problem; I'll check that out. Thanks!

My '95 had same problem, PRNDL letters did not light up. TSB #43-83-14 title is "Console PRNDL Indicator - Low Illumination", obtained it from Alldata, says condition may apply to 93-95 and "may be caused by build or part variation in the assembly plant"

PRNDL letters get light from ashtray lamp, light is sent to letters thru "wick" at the end of the PRNDL letters plate. Plate is spring loaded to press it up against console cover, ashtray lamp is in socket attached to one of the PRNDL letters plate locating pegs, ashtray lamp socket has 2 small windows, one to send light to ashtray, other to send light thru wick to PRNDL letters. Window in socket must be perfectly aligned and touching wick for light to get to PRNDL letters. Lift console top, any gap between socket window and wick is problem.

TSB is misleading (or incomplete) since it says if you have problem, the bulb socket will have an 'X' molded into it, and to replace the socket with part # 25537162. My socket did not have an 'X' molded into it, and the part # is no good. The only socket my parts guy could find was # 25647530, which does have an 'X' molded into it. Removed old socket and compared with new, see that mounting surface to window slightly longer on new socket. Installed new socket, window in socket touches wick, PRNDL letters light.

Thanks for the details; I'll be checking mine out real soon. At this moment I'm deep into installation of the remote starter on the Bonneville, and am spending my evenings upside-down under the dashboard, so when I feel like flexing my back in the other direction for a few minutes, I'll twist over to the console and have a look-see.

As for the remote starter installation, I'm doing it in combination with the installation of a red LED in the gauge cluster (need a visual deterrent to go with the factory alarm) and fixing the flickering compass and DIC displays. The LED and display fixes are done; the remote starter work is ongoing. I'm logging a diary as I go and will probably start posting that soon.

just remembered, with console apart to replace ashtray lamp socket, might as well replace ashtray bulb with fresh one, replacement guide lists #161, which is 2.7 watts, light output 1 MSCD (mean spherical candela), I switched to #194, which is 3.8 watts, light output 2 MSCD

Um, I would be _real_ cautious about doing that: you may end up cooking the socket.