Panda How to replace Panda heater control lights

Most Easterly Pandas · Apr 13, 2012

Really good guide

bdv · Dec 27, 2012

Thanks for the guide managed to change both bulbs myself. The bulbs were tricky to get out but once done was easy to put back together again. Not bad for a girl.

melloyello · Jan 24, 2013

Great guide, been thinking of attempting to change these bulbs for a while but wasn't sure how it came apart

Watermann · Mar 11, 2013

Just to add the bulbs are the R286 or 286 and are 5mm diameter, 12v, 1.2w.
They cost around £2 for 10 on a certain Internet auction site.

andy4x4panda · Sep 20, 2013

Great guide, i asked a question then found this, no problems with doing it tonight..cheers

staffordmike · Sep 20, 2013

I had to do this on my 500 a while back, but it's pretty much the same procedure. The only recommendation I'd make is in relation to removing the bulb. Rather than trying to grip the tiny glass bulb in a pair of pliers and risking breaking it, leaving a hard to remove, sharp piece of broken glass in the bulb holder, I used a little piece of gaffer tape, folded and stick over the top of the bulb, to make a little tab which I then used to pull the bulb out easily.

David Lester · Dec 11, 2013

Herts Hillhopper said:
Before starting, you'll need a new bulb, and may need a pair of pliers and a soft cloth. There's one bulb per 'pair' of controls (left side or right side). The bulb is 12 volt, 1.2 watt, wedge-ended. To make it easier when putting things back together, turn the control knobs all the way to the left /anticlockwise. (Hint: You can click the photos to see larger versions)
View attachment 101698 View attachment 101699

To remove the panel, pull the smaller of the two knobs out from the dash. (Either the fan speed on the left side, or the 'recirculate' knob on the right). The fan knob can be hard to take out. If necessary, grip it with some pliers, protecting the plastic with a soft cloth.
View attachment 101700 View attachment 101701 View attachment 101702

Note that the recirculation control comes away with an orange piece of plastic attached, but that the fan knob may leave this behind. If it does, it is best to remove the loose orange part from the fan control to avoid knocking it out by accident later...
View attachment 101703 View attachment 101704 View attachment 101705

Next, pull hard on the larger knob (temperature or direction control). While pulling with one hand, prise the bezel away using the finger nails of the other hand. (Use both hands at the same time -- I needed one to press the camera button here). Remove the bezel completely.
View attachment 101706 View attachment 101707 View attachment 101708

The bulb can now be seen, between the two controls. Very gently pull it straight out using fine nosed pliers - do not try to twist the bulb, its a straight push-fit. Again, a cloth may help here if the bulb is stuck.
View attachment 101709 View attachment 101698

Carefully push the new bulb into the holder by hand. At this stage, its a good idea to turn the lights on to check it works (remember you'll need to turn the ignition on)
View attachment 101710

Now press the bezel back into place, making sure the controls are still set to the left. If you removed the orange part from the fan control, push it back now. (Photo repeated to show how it goes)
View attachment 101711 View attachment 101704

Push the control knobs back until they click, and job's done!

Hi I My 2011 Panda Dashboard lights behind the heater controls come on and off, I accessed the bulbs using this guide ( very useful thanks ) but even though the bulbs are good they will not always come if i tap the side of the panel they come on indicating a loose connection, my question is how do I access behind the bulb holders so as to check the connections.
Regards Dave Lester

stu0710 · Dec 17, 2013

Thanks - really useful guide - I chaged both bulbs in under 10 mins. I can onfirm that it's just as easy for cars equipped with air-con too!

Here is a linky to the ebay listing for these bulbs (10 bulbs for £2.49 inc P&P).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140800359046?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

audicab26 · Jan 4, 2014

Great guide, just changed mine as half the heater controls would not illuminate. Took less than 5 minutes. Many thanks

Rtho · Mar 30, 2014

these are t5 bulbs

varesecrazy · Dec 19, 2014

staffordmike said:
I had to do this on my 500 a while back, but it's pretty much the same procedure. The only recommendation I'd make is in relation to removing the bulb. Rather than trying to grip the tiny glass bulb in a pair of pliers and risking breaking it, leaving a hard to remove, sharp piece of broken glass in the bulb holder, I used a little piece of gaffer tape, folded and stick over the top of the bulb, to make a little tab which I then used to pull the bulb out easily.

sounds good..!!,

weirdly,
NEVER changed a Bulb ( or fuse) in our panda - 10 years and 80K miles now..,
"Italian Electrics" eh..!!

Charlie

273BeLow · Jan 10, 2015

Thanks for the guide!

Unfortunately the bulb holder seems to be made of ear wax on mine as the clips fell to bits when I was inserting the new bulb (no not with a hammer honest!). All ok and working now though.

Louie Bee · Jan 14, 2015

Brill guide! just done mine too thanks.

If you search for T5 wedge youll get loads of hits...

Same bulbs as used in newer fruit machines.

not sure if the led type replacementswould be too focused for the job.

Dafs · Dec 19, 2015

Excellent guide, got to the bulb really easily, only to find that the bulb was ok, and there was a loose connection.

Does anyone know how to get to the connection to fix it?

Also, what does the orange part do in the controls? The one on the control for the air flow direction has come off, and when I try and put the controls back together with it in the knob won't turn fully. The control seems to be working ok without it......

Pit062 · Aug 11, 2016

Thank you guys,

This is GREAT !

Wee Smurf · May 17, 2017

Great guide. My bulbs both failed within a week of each other after just under 12 years of use. Both changed quickly with use of this guide. Took a bit of effort to remove the bulbs themselves but it gave me a reason to use my little Panda tool

Most Easterly Pandas · May 19, 2017

Wee Smurf said:
Great guide. My bulbs both failed within a week of each other after just under 12 years of use. Both changed quickly with use of this guide. Took a bit of effort to remove the bulbs themselves but it gave me a reason to use my little Panda tool

Funny enough I noticed the NS of the back lighting in my 05 4x4 had failed the other evening. Will look to replacing soon I think.

Herts Hillhopper · Oct 17, 2017

Here's an update for the 2012+ Panda...

Some of this still applies but with a couple of differences - don't try to pull the control knobs off - they won't. And the plastic trim is very much more firmly clipped in place.

So, see the guide but read on down here first:

Carefully (I used my finder nails) pry the bottom edge of the black trim around the controls away from the coloured dash. You won't get far, but enough to get a large, flat screwdriver into the gap to lever rather more. Wrap the screwdriver in a duster to prevent damage to the dash trim, and with a good old push to lever the black part away, it will eventually spring out, bringing the control knobs with it.

Now follow my guide, as the bulb removal and replacement is the same.

Once done (and check the new bulb works before doing this) push the trim piece back on - it will go with a reassuring 'clunk' as the various clips all go back into place.

winand · Nov 2, 2017

I had two broken bulbs.
The first one was repaced easily, but with the second one, when i pressed the new bulb in, the fitting (grey rectangular housing) came loose and is now held in place with only the wiring in the back i guess. I can't push the bulb in, cause i push back the fitting at the same time.
What to do now?
Should i disassemble the whole dash and remove the heater unit?

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