I am in the process of picking up a 2000 SSEi and noticed part of the radio diplay looks like there is a bulb out behind the display. Is this something I can replace myself? Is there another answer?

mine was the same way. i was replacing the radio so i pointed it out to the dealer and they knocked 400.00 off the car so i would take it. that is what i had piad for my alpine so i said okay. others her have said that these bulbs can be changed. how om the other hand i am not sure. sounds major to me.

are the lights coming on automatically? If so, the whole dash may be lightin up, as a result the radio will be lighting up as well. Adjust the dimmer setting, or turn the lights completely off to say if it gets brighter.

I had a 98 GP that had a similar problem, but it was an intermitten problem. I had to literally "punch" the front of the radio to get it to come back on...

All the lights come on automatically. It is just that the right half of the radio display is clearly dimer than the left at all times. The vehicle is no longer under warranty so I do not want a major bill for a radio exchange.

On the 92-99 the front of the radio is attached with clips and it comes off fairly easily. I've never messed with a 2000+ radio.

Backlighting on the stereo buttons is usually done with two or three half-sized wedge-base bulbs like #37 or similar, which just pull out for replacement after you (carefully) disassemble the front faceplate of the stereo to reach them. The one nasty possibility that'* found on some units (as recent as 1996, I know for sure) is a _soldered-in_ sub-mini, bi-pin incandescent bulb at the right end of the faceplate behind the Set button. That one burned out on our Trans Sport stereo, and it was a royal PITA to replace. Hopefully that won't be the one you need to replace on yours. Good luck...

It'* not the buttons that are the problem. It'* the display screen showing the station, equalizer settings, etc.

Is this head unit different in the SSEi than in the SLE because its "Bose" ? Or is the only thing that makes my system a "Bose" is the speakers? I guess I want to know if the head units are interchangable.

Thanks.

Hmmm. Yeah, different problem there.

I'll give you a definite "maybe" on that. I doubt the Bose name applied _only_ to the speakers, but the wiring harness connectors _might_ be the same. Someone who knows the Bose option better than I do (i.e. practically everybody) will have to answer this.

:(

Well, look, if you're patient and careful you can disassemble the head unit yourself and see if you find a replaceable bulb in there. If it'* an LCD type of display that'* edge-lit by light bulbs (which sounds like it from what you describe), then you just need to get at the light bulb and hope it'* replaceable. (i.e. Worst-case scenario is that it'* soldered in, in which case you need to get out your soldering iron, and get a replacement bulb from Radio Shack...)