Just to update, you CAN replace the backlight in the climate controls, at least on my 2002 you can. I got 2 incandescent bulbs from
http://autolumination.com/74.htm. They are neo-wedge bulbs and come in various colors. I got the blue to try and stick to the same color as the bulbs that I was replacing. The downside is the replacement bulbs are shorter in the shaft than the bulbs being replaced. I am about to buy another set in the LED style to see if I can improve the brightness (right now it's quite dim). But it's better than dark.