So you keep getting that persky light on the dashboard when driving?
Its the Bulb Malfunction
The punto has a system that can detect if there is a malfunction within the certain lighting circuits
So what does it mean?
Well it a malfunction of a light somewhere - its upto you to find out which or where
Brake Lights - 2 rear in clusters
Indicators - Front, Rear and Side
Fog light - Rear, (at time my 2004 Active sport warns of fog light malfunction)
Reverse light - This is an assumption here, since my 2004 has fog warning, why not the reverse light too!
Front fogs - Not Yet tested this theory, but i don't recall these been covered
High beam - you probably wont know till MOT time, or weekly checks
Numberplate light - Mines popped, no light
High level brake light - If 1 of the many pops, i do believe no light activation
Its the Bulb Malfunction
The punto has a system that can detect if there is a malfunction within the certain lighting circuits
So what does it mean?
Well it a malfunction of a light somewhere - its upto you to find out which or where
The system covers
Sidelights - Front and Rear
Brake Lights - 2 rear in clusters
Indicators - Front, Rear and Side
Fog light - Rear, (at time my 2004 Active sport warns of fog light malfunction)
Reverse light - This is an assumption here, since my 2004 has fog warning, why not the reverse light too!
What isn't covered?
Front Headlights - but that's obvious as people flash you and you wonder why the hell you cant see at night
Front fogs - Not Yet tested this theory, but i don't recall these been covered
High beam - you probably wont know till MOT time, or weekly checks
Numberplate light - Mines popped, no light
High level brake light - If 1 of the many pops, i do believe no light activation
Usual culprits
Blown bulbs
- Lights pop, its a handy way to tell if 1 has let go -
Wrong Wattage bulb fitted
- This is common for people who fit LED lights, they draw such little current, the car thinks its blown, and puts the light on.
The other mistake is the fast fitters who stick a 5w bulb where a 10w should be, again, to little of a current drawn it picks this up -
Earthing Fault / Bulb interference
This is common the punto's rear light clusters. Have you ever seen a car who's indicating but his brake light flashes with the indicator or the whole lights just seem to be dim or a portable disco is going on?
Wrong Bulb Altogether
Some idiot has gone and stuck in Sidelight/brake light combined bulb in say a fog light for example, this will cause stupid behavior, possibly pop fuses too!
- Lights pop, its a handy way to tell if 1 has let go -
Wrong Wattage bulb fitted
- This is common for people who fit LED lights, they draw such little current, the car thinks its blown, and puts the light on.
The other mistake is the fast fitters who stick a 5w bulb where a 10w should be, again, to little of a current drawn it picks this up -
Earthing Fault / Bulb interference
This is common the punto's rear light clusters. Have you ever seen a car who's indicating but his brake light flashes with the indicator or the whole lights just seem to be dim or a portable disco is going on?
Wrong Bulb Altogether
Some idiot has gone and stuck in Sidelight/brake light combined bulb in say a fog light for example, this will cause stupid behavior, possibly pop fuses too!
Diagnosis
Start by using a family / friend to operate the lights and observe function
Do all your lights, you may find 2 bulb faults!
So start at the front
Sidelights - dipped - Full - Indicators - Fogs (If applicable)
Then all together - does anything odd happen
Check Side indicators are happy too!
Then the rear
Side - Brake - Indicator and stop there, these 3 are the usual culprits
Does any of them interfere with the others?
What happens if you do all of them together? Disco? dull?
Then add in the Reverse and Fog
Found a blown bulb - Simple, replace with the correct bulb and test again
See the Correct Bulbs section if your unsure
You've got disco lights? Start with the Removal of the rear light clusters
Replacing bulbs
So you've got a blown bulb, the fronts are doable without removing the cluster
But some are tight!, if you struggle consult an expert like halfords (but pay way to much for bulb and fitting), your local mechanic, or a friend who's got small hands!
The rears, is easy
In the spare boot kit you should have this
No tools in boot? No problem a 17mm socket and posi screwdriver is all it is!
Locate the 2 stud fixings Top and bottom
Using the spare boot tools - work the nuts free like so
2 nuts removed pull the cluster carefully away from the car, to expose your connection
Then using the screwdriver - remove the 4 screws on the back
3 are located around the connection seal
1 is located just below the top stud
Pull back off - twist and pull defective bulb out
Refit new bulb - push and twist
Refit back cover - refit screws - refit connection - reseat lights - Fit nuts finger tight - tighten with tool - Test!
**REMEMBER THE REAR SIDELIGHTS ARE 10W NOT 5W!**
I've got Disco lights
Following the rear bulb replacement section, get the affected light cluster out the car
With the electrical connection removed, do 2 things
Locate your black wire, this is the EARTHING wire, but look at the connection inside
My connecter is looking a little loose on the black wire, the gaps a tiny bit bigger
You may be able to make the gap smaller to ensure a tight connection again, but mostly its the cluster at fault
So where the black wire connects - locate that pin
Mine in this example is the far Left pin
Is it dull, black, missing, white, furry, covered in plastic, brown or anything that isn't as shown in picture?
Clean it up, Both sides
Sand paper, wire wool, a small needle file, anything to remove the corrosion or defectant thats causing a resistive path, till its shiny and clean
Solvent cleaner might work, but i've had little success personally
So its now clean and looking much better
Great, refit connector and test away
And you should now be fault free!
If 1 cluster has faltered with an earthing fault, the other side may be at fault too
so while your out doing this - tackle the other side
People who have the Fiat 100W subwoofer in the boot, you will need to remove the subwoofer to gain access to bottom stud nut
What Bulbs are needed and where?
The Front Sidelights, Side indicators (on wings) and numberplate light, Bulbs in the high level (3rd) brake light
You require a 12v 5w Push fit bulb - known as the w5w or Halfords 501
(image taken from google)
Your Brake lights, Reverse light, Fog lights and Indicators**
are P21W bulbs (12volt 21watt) or Halfords HBU382
(Image from Google)
*** Note Indicators may need to be yellow or chrome to give off the correct colour, please ensure you purchase to meet your law requirements in your country ***
Rear Sidelights are R10W - 12v 10W or halfords HBU254S
Ensure its a 10w, not a 5w!
(Image taken from google)
Front Fog Lights - Please inspect before purchasing, my manual stated h3, but unsure for a mk2 version where the fog lights are in the clusters
Front Headlights - Are known to be either h1 or h7, please check before purchasing a replacement
Front High beam - Manual States h1, but please check your fitment before purchasing!
Fiat did swap fitments around due to stock on production, so some have 1 or the other
Disclaimer
this is a guide to provide you with the basic information, about this topic
The information was posted using the fiat manual provided with my vehicle
please ensure you check your manual, or consult an expert
I or Fiatforum will not be responsible for you fitting/purchasing an incorrect bulb
You are responsible for any damage, injury or loss that comes as a result of incorrect fitment
If you are unsure, please consult an expert
Halfords do have a fitting service, so that way you are covered if anything goes wrong
Any incorrect information noted will be changed by a moderator, or posted in the comments section below
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