General Replacing a lightbulb in the centre console

gcoomer · Apr 22, 2008

Hey,

My first post here - go easy on me

I have a 57-reg Grande Punto (only 6 months old, sigh) that one of the lightbulbs behind the fan controls on the centre console has blown on.

Anyone know if this is something I can fix myself or should I just have the dealer do it? The dealer wants upwards of 50 quid to replace the bulb, which seems a bit steep to me.

I figure it's a case of pulling out at least the radio to get back there ...? Am I likely to have trouble finding a replacement bulb somewhere - do Halfrauds stock things like this?

Any advice would be useful ..

Cheers,
Graham.

loudpunto · Apr 22, 2008

its only 6 months old?? surely should be done under warranty?

Ffoxy · Apr 22, 2008

loudpunto said:
its only 6 months old?? surely should be done under warranty?

Are bulbs covered by Warranty?

loudpunto · Apr 22, 2008

Ffoxy said:
Are bulbs covered by Warranty?

thought they would be for so long especially the dash ones....

Ffoxy · Apr 22, 2008

loudpunto said:
thought they would be for so long especially the dash ones....

I dont know for sure, but I suspect not. Too many unknown variables that dont include Manufacturing Fault.

loudpunto · Apr 22, 2008

Ffoxy said:
I dont know for sure, but I suspect not. Too many unknown variables that dont include Manufacturing Fault.

i would still argue the toss with the dealer, unless you have millions of miles on it, wouldnt like to try and change one in the dash my ciglighter orange ring doesnt work anymore but i dont miss it lol

Ffoxy · Apr 22, 2008

loudpunto said:
i would still argue the toss with the dealer, unless you have millions of miles on it, wouldnt like to try and change one in the dash my ciglighter orange ring doesnt work anymore but i dont miss it lol

Fairy nuff... try by all means to get it done but I would think it would be done more as a gesture of good will. Trouble is it could set a precedent and your dealer might not be happy if you kept taking the car back every time a bulb went.

I spose its the manufacturers fault for not making bulb replacement easy, but then that is a plus for dealers charging silly rates for labour.

loudpunto · Apr 22, 2008

Ffoxy said:
Fairy nuff... try by all means to get it done but I would think it would be done more as a gesture of good will. Trouble is it could set a precedent and your dealer might not be happy if you kept taking the car back every time a bulb went.

I spose its the manufacturers fault for not making bulb replacement easy, but then that is a plus for dealers charging silly rates for labour.

if it was an outside bulb i wouldnt think twice and do it my self but because it sounds like a pain the backside to get behind the dash to change it i'd try!

manthatkidisscrewed · Apr 22, 2008

I had the same problem

But leave it a few days and it works again

luvduvs · Apr 22, 2008

Ffoxy said:
Are bulbs covered by Warranty?

I remember vaguely from reading the warranty that bulbs aren't covered - but check yours anyway.

koksy · Apr 22, 2008

I had the same problem a few years ago with my Astra. 57p for the bulb, £50 to fit it. 6 months later I had problems with the ABS ECU out of warranty and I took the car to a local car electrics guy who worked from home (saved me £400 over the Vauxhall dealer price!). I mentioned the dash bulb to him in paasing and he said he would have done it for £20!!! I wouldnt pay Fiats £50 for having it done this time now I know that.

gcoomer · Apr 22, 2008

Ffoxy said:
Are bulbs covered by Warranty?

Nope

Already asked them that ... figured it was worth a try.

A mate of mine (who does up old BMWs and knows a damn sight more about cars than me) has offered to take a look and see if he can get into it - basically taking the radio out and seeing how complicated it looks. Might let him take a look - I have nothing to lose.

Bit worrying that a bulb has gone already, but I guess it could just be one of those things.

Fortunately it's just an annoyance - especially with summer coming up - so I can live without it for a bit. Even so, I'd like to get it fixed at some point - it'll annoy me otherwise.

-- Graham.

loudpunto · Apr 22, 2008

gcoomer said:
Nope
Already asked them that ... figured it was worth a try.

A mate of mine (who does up old BMWs and knows a damn sight more about cars than me) has offered to take a look and see if he can get into it - basically taking the radio out and seeing how complicated it looks. Might let him take a look - I have nothing to lose.

Bit worrying that a bulb has gone already, but I guess it could just be one of those things.

Fortunately it's just an annoyance - especially with summer coming up - so I can live without it for a bit. Even so, I'd like to get it fixed at some point - it'll annoy me otherwise.

-- Graham.

maybe let it wait whilst service? they might do it for you then?

gcoomer · Apr 22, 2008

loudpunto said:
maybe let it wait whilst service? they might do it for you then?

That's not a bad idea - if nothing else it'd (hopefully) cut down on the labour costs (most of that 50 quid). It'll get a service in about 2-3 months anyway (I do silly mileage) so it could certainly wait until then.

I think maybe the best plan is to let my mate take a look - if it looks easy to get to with the radio out I'll just replace it. If not, I'll wait until it gets serviced and get the dealer to do it

Will31st · Apr 22, 2008

Ive got that problem, just giv it a wack and it coms back on

wellfan · Apr 22, 2008

Takes about 15 minutes to replace bulb, I have done it myself. Need to remove radio and remove a couple of screws in radio aperture, also need to remove lower piece of trim just under where the heater control switches are, when trim is off remove another couple of screws and the heater switch control panel can be pulled forward allowing access to the bulbs. If ePER was working I could show you the parts you need to remove.

Daver · Apr 22, 2008

Had a bulb replaced in my centre console, on heater control recently, totally free and under warranty, never a murmur about paying a bean!56 plate Sporting M Jet:slayer:

Mal126 · Apr 22, 2008

gcoomer said:
Hey,

My first post here - go easy on me

I have a 57-reg Grande Punto (only 6 months old, sigh) that one of the lightbulbs behind the fan controls on the centre console has blown on.

Anyone know if this is something I can fix myself or should I just have the dealer do it? The dealer wants upwards of 50 quid to replace the bulb, which seems a bit steep to me.

I figure it's a case of pulling out at least the radio to get back there ...? Am I likely to have trouble finding a replacement bulb somewhere - do Halfrauds stock things like this?

Any advice would be useful ..

Cheers,
Graham.

This is DEFINATELY covered under warranty

Daver · Apr 22, 2008

Yeah! thats what I was told with no hint of any payment horse s*** from my Dealer!

Garygadge · Apr 23, 2008

I Had this problem a few weeks ago, hit the fan panel and the light would work again. You have to take out the stereo, then undo 2 x star headed screws, there are then 4 clips at the top of the panel that need lifting to free the panel AND 4 at the bottom of the panel which I didnt see (3 broke) but I replaced the bulb and it all went back together ok

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