The console shifter on my Bonneville has never lit up since I've owned it, but several times I've hit it and it comes on for a few seconds. I've read on here that this is a fairly common problem and many owners don't even know their center console lights up. Anyone have a fix for this, or know what causes it? Its definitely not that the bulbs are burnt out...but I don't want to go tearing into it not knowing what I'm doing.

I personally have never heard of that problem. However, I have had my center console apart more times than I would like to think. I would think the problem would be some pinched wire caused by the moving of the shifter, or a broken bulb filament that only shines for a second when the contacts happen to touch. The only way to find your problem is to investigate. The shift plate comes up rather easy after removing the shift ****. After you have that removed, you will be able to see any pinched wires. If you want to buy a new shifter from me, PM me.

there is one bulb that lights up the PRND321 lights

when you remove the console you can then pop off the shifter plate...this will let you see the bulb that is in there

A very simple job. Before you begin make sure you have a new light bulb in hand. It is either loose or broken.

Awesome - I'll probably take a look at it tomorrow.

I'll do some searching, but there was a thread on here a few months back where several people were like "I didn't even know the center console had lights!"

Good news - replacing the bulb was VERY easy, and the P R N D 3 2 1 lights up perfectly for the first time since I've owned the car.

Bad news - I broke off the little plastic tit that moves the gear selector indicator, effectively rendering my efforts pointless, lol. Damn.

this piece? how much is it worth to ya?

Ohhh...I dunno, couple bucks? lol. Ed Morad is a 20 minute drive from me. Does that piece just slip over the metal post?

I have interior lights out all over the place, and its really EXTREMELY annoying to me. Most of the buttons for the steering wheel audio controls flick on and off (some are always off - like mute), most of my radio lights are out or very dim as well as half of the display, and the "Delay" and "Off" no longer light up on the Twilight Sentinel.

Considering the fact that the whole red fighter cockpit thing makes Bonnies soooo cool @ night, it really is a buzzkill to have all these damn lights out...lol.

Pontiacs lighting methods are terrible - TONS of people on this forum have burnt out lights, and tons of people I know in person (my sisters Grand Am). Ridiculous QC on a $30,000+ vehicle.

if you can get it from Ed for a few bucks, go for it.. but I'm not gonna dismantle this shifter assembly for a couple bucks. good luck!

and yes, it just slips over the metal piece

Interesting. I noticed mine sometimes goes out, but comes back on at other times.