General Multipla - changing dashboard bulb

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General Multipla - changing dashboard bulb

Bunnster

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Hi,
having read older threads on here I am trying to get to the bulb(s) behind the air conditioning/air flow dials on the dashboard. I think the one nearest the steering wheel (air flow direction/target) needs replacing as it keeps going off (could be a wiring fault I guess).

I have had the Multipla since new, November 2000. 1.6ELX.

I removed the central knob (air speed) and undid the alan type screw, but I could then not move the facia. Are there more screws to remove, or more knobs I have to remove to achieve this?

Anyone know what type of bulbs are in there?

Thanks,
Andrew
 
IS there really no one out there who can answer my question?

I hope someone can.

Thank you in advance.

Bunnster.

:)
 
Did mine yesterday,went like this...

Remove gear lever surround ,just ease it up to unclip

pull off central knob and undo the allen screw underneath

using pliers with suitable padding pull up the left knob untill the surround on that side unclips,do the same for the right side knob untill that side of the surround unclips.It took a fair bit of pressure to achieve this,hence the padding to avoid damage to the knobs.

lift up the lower part of the surround and remove the two knobs.

there will be just enough room to get your fingers in and replace the two lamps,i'ts a bit of a fiddle! The lamps are 1.2w capless.
 
Jumped in from the Panda forum, as I too have a Multipla...
I have the same prob. I removed the Allen screw and the lower part of the panel did lift away, and in fact the 'blown' bulb from behind the heater direction knob fell out onto the floor(!) but I cannot quite reach to put it back (nor quite see where it goes). What holds the top part of this panel in? Is there another screw, maybe holding to cowl over the speedo etc, that can be removed? Anyone know?
Thanks
Pete
 
I couldnt see how to get the top of the surround out,but found I could lever it up just enough to reach the bulbs.There are two bulbs in the same position either side of the central knob,look for the one remaining bulb and the other will be in the same position on the other side
 
Rolo - thanks for that. I decided to fix it in the dark, and by the light of the remaining bulb, could see where the other one went. Noticed that the plastic at the bottom of the bulb holder was broken too -- maybe this is why it fell out? With a bit of juggling, got it to stay in place as the panel went back, but took a couple of goes. All fine now though.
Pete
 
I've just done a post on how I did this job in the Yahoo groups Multipla group, another useful source of stuff on the Multi. I've copied it below. Hope it helps.


"Ok. Just had to replace a fascia lamp. Was sick of not being able to
read the heater temperature dial. There are instructions on the
forum on how to remove the panel and do this but I found them a
little disjointed so here is how I did it.

You will need a large flat bladed screwdriver, metric allen key set,
courage and will power.

1. DON'T PANIC

2. You will need to remove the gear lever knob and cover which are
one item.

Start by putting a wide bladed flat screwdriver between the collar of
the gear stick cover where it obviously connects to the dash, and the
dash itself. I just turned the screwdriver, or you could gently
lever, and you will see the collar ease off of the dash. There are
four pushfit clips that hold it in place and they SHOULD slide out as
you move around the collar and coax it up.

The trickier bit may be to get the knob off of the shaft, so to
speak! The shaft is very firmly attached to the linkage so don't be
afraid to give the knob up a good tug(!) upwards and it should slide
off the shaft complete with cover and collar. If a good tug doesn't
work, then a steady pull (stop it now, behave.....) should get if off
(oh god...) It is not absolutely essential to remove it completely
from the shaft but it will be very much in the way if you don't. If
yours is anything like mine, it regularly comes off in my hand when I
slam it enthusiastically into reverse, anyhow.

So you should now be left with just a metal stick and a hole facing
you. If not, I'm not sure what you've done.....

2. Fan switch removal.

The small centre fan switch, numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. has to be
removed. It pulls/slides off. What can I say? Grab it firmly and
pull it away from the dash. I had to jiggle and tug mine but it
wasn't too difficult.

BEWARE. there is a small silver metal sping clip that sits in the
recess in the back of the switch to pinch it into position on the
shaft - mine fell out of the switch when I pulled it off so keep an
eye out for it. It just pushes back in so don't panic. I think you'll
see where it goes, in a recess against the flat side of the shaft
recess.

3. Allen Key behind fan switch.

Easy. There is a small allen key directly where you have just removed
the fan switch from. Undo this CAREFULLY as it could drop behind the
fascia if you were very clumsy. It'll probably fall through onto the
floor anyway, but why take the chance?

4. Fascia Panel removal.

Ok, the brave bit. On each corner, if you like, of the fascia panel
there is a clip similar to the ones on the collar of the gear stick
cover, holding it into the dash. But you can't see them. They will,
however, come out.

Get your screwdriver and starting on the bottom left of the panel
slide it between panel and dash and twist/lever gently but firmly and
hopefully you will see the bottom left side of the fascia pop or ease
away from the dash.

BEWARE OF AIR CON. WIRING IN THE MIDDLE FRONT OF THE PANEL. YOU CAN
SEE IT CLEARLY, SO AVOID IT.

I know it is nerve racking but this is how it comes out. I had to be
more forceful than I wanted to be but it did come. When it moves, and
it will, do the same to the bottom right of the panel and hopefully,
you should have the bottom of the panel fairly free of the dash.

The bottom of the panel should be free. Move your screwdriver as far
round to either top corner of the panel and again gently ease the
panel clear. There is a large plastic lug thing front top and centre
of the panel that clips under the flat plastic under the speedo, and
when the clips are free, you sort of have to unhook this lug from the
speedo panel, if you like. Turn the bottom of the fascia panel
upwards to do this and jiggle a bit.

THE FASCIA WILL STILL BE CONNECTED BY ELECTICAL WIRING BUT SHOULD BE
RELATIVELY FREE OF THE DASH NOW.

5. Bulb changing.

I saw two obvious tiny little bulbs facing me either side centre of
the hole where the fascia once was. They are the fascia lamps.
Grab 'em and pull 'em if you need to remove 'em. They are all glass,
no metal base like side light bulbs. New ones, from your local motor
factor, just push back in. Test 'em with the fascia still out. LET
THERE BE LIGHT!

6. Put it all back.

Just go backwards carefully and slowly. You can see to locate the
top clips and therefore the bottom clips must locate (hopefully!).

When pushing the panel home, do it firmly but carefully, checking it
is clear of the heater controls. Mine clipped back in snugly, with
little fuss.

I tested all the switches, knobs and lights before finally pushing
the fascia home, just to be on the safe side.

All this was carried out on an extremely temperamental 2002 JTD ELX.

Hope this is of some use to you all. Panda."
 
Couple of additions to this post:

1. There's a popper at the top of the gear lever gaiter, undoing this means you don't have to take the gearknob off to pull the gaiter and surround off
2. if you lever off the speedo surround, the top of the panel comes off easier and you don't have to worry about snagging any of the climate control wires
 
There's a photo here http://www.multipla.i12.com/images/fascia.jpg that shows the panel once removed, which helps reveal where the four spring clips are. (The white triangle is pointing at the wires on the back of the heated window switch). The panel in the photo has the sensor for the air con that measures the cabin temp (behind that little round grille we all have) That's what PandaBloke warns us to avoid. Note also the speedo surround has been removed. Its at the RH side of the photo on top of the glovebox. Previous postings to this forum suggest you can reach with just bottom part pulled away, which is true, but very fiddly. I had to replace bulb behind the RH knob (the up/down/in your face control) a couple of weeks back, and incredibly, the other side went tonight! So, when I do that one, I'll let you know how I get on, and may take some photos of my own.
Pete
 
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