Technical Center console lights

[gsalini]

Hey guys,
Having a small issue thats annoying me with the console lights, more specifically the air flow direction knob. When i turn my headlights/sidelights on it just dosent light up. so its probably the bulb so where do i get a replacement and how do i replace it? cheers.

 

[gsalini]

Just noticed that if u give the console a wack, it seems to flicker for a second then go again? bad connection?

 

[dannyjb]

I've got the same problem. it comes on sometimes if i knock it but doesn't stay on. or atleast it did anyway, now i can't seem to get it to light up at all. i'm going to get a new one tomorow anyway...

The bulbs are 286 - 12V 1.2W. you can get them from halfords - just in case you want to replace the ones you've got atm. oh and i'm pretty sure the bulbs are a simple push fitment so its easy enough replacing them.

 

[gsalini]

Thanks for your help. But i was just wondering, how do you replace them?
And just had a look on halfords for the bulbs, and it says their in blue, but dont i need orange ones?

 

[dannyjb]

yer, i just edited the post because i realised i missed that part out they're just a push fitment i think, i.e push it in n it should pop out.

 

[gsalini]

Ha sorry i haven't been specific enough. how do i actually get to behind the center console to change the bulb?
thanks again.

 

[dannyjb]

Ha sorry i haven't been specific enough. how do i actually get to behind the center console to change the bulb?
thanks again.

oh right, sorry lol. well you need to remove your stereo/headunit to start with. i'm pretty sure it is possible to change the bulbs from there even though you won't be able to see what you are doing. i'm sure people have tried it on here by going down the back of the heater controls with a mirror so they can see what they're doing. imo it is much easier to remove the heater controls panel and do it that way. if you are going to do this just be very careful with the clips that hold it in place. they are VERY easy to snap, believe me! i now need a new heater controls panel :bang:

 

[gsalini]

Daaammm! Cant believe its so much **** just to change a dam bulb the size of a tictac!
Thanks, im gonna do the stereo unit way i think.

 

[dannyjb]

Daaammm! Cant believe its so much **** just to change a dam bulb the size of a tictac!
Thanks, im gonna do the stereo unit way i think.

yer :/ it is a bit of a pain tbh, but my heater controls panel is already hanging off so i've got easy access

 

[gsalini]

Haha! Lucky you ei! haa

 

[dannyjb]

just put my new bulb in and its working fine now was harder than i thought to get out though lol. its not a push fitment at all, i had to use some pliers to pull it out.

 

[dannyjb]

And just had a look on halfords for the bulbs, and it says their in blue, but dont i need orange ones?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...6-b2c0-dc36b54a327e&istItemId=liwiar&istBid=t

the blue ones will fit as well, they're just aftermarket ones that will give a blue glow instead of orange. that link shows the genuine bulbs that i've used.

 

[gsalini]

Thanks for the info man.
Ive already bought these lights off ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180303678424&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

In amber color ofcourse to match the original.
I had a go tho today to see how id install them, i still have no idea!
Took the head unit off, then opened the glove compartment and held a mirror in my hand and looked through the head units compartment to try and see where the bulbs are, i cant find them! They seem to be inside the knobs them selves but i dont know. Any guides would be great if you know of any. Cheers.

 

[dannyjb]

Thanks for the info man.
Ive already bought these lights off ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180303678424&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

In amber color ofcourse to match the original.
I had a go tho today to see how id install them, i still have no idea!
Took the head unit off, then opened the glove compartment and held a mirror in my hand and looked through the head units compartment to try and see where the bulbs are, i cant find them! They seem to be inside the knobs them selves but i dont know. Any guides would be great if you know of any. Cheers.

i'll get some pics up this evening to show you where the bulbs are and how i did it. i'm not gonna lie, i can see it being a complete b*tch to do without actually being able to see the bulb, i.e having the heater controls panel off. even being able to see the bulb, i struggled to find where to pull it out from behind but i'll try n help you out anyway mate. and the bulbs aren't inside the knobs themselves lol.

 

[gsalini]

Oh thanks Danny! Your a life saver! The bulbs have come today so im ready to go! ha

 

[bladecs_04]

follow this you didnt need orange bulbs theres orange plastic in the heater box itself so white ones would work fine

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/210714-help-c-unit-lights.html

be EXTREMELY carefully around the metal work

 

[dannyjb]

yer, i tried to find that thread but couldn't lol ^that should help you a bit.

i took some pics for you anyway..





this is what it looks like behind the heater controls panel:



you should be able to see the location of the bulbs in this pic? so you know where you're aiming for behind the unit:



and these are the wires you want to find; purple and yellow. if you can follow them you'll be able to find where the bulbs are.



and then its just a case of pulling them out of the socket, which doesn't take much force but i found it difficult to get the right hand side one out as i couldn't get any grip on the wires. best bet is probably to get some pliers and gently pull the wires.

it was much easier for me because i had the panel off, so i could just push the bulbs out the back

hope this helps anyway. you just need to get something in there so you can see what you are doing.

just in case you can't find the wires, the two slits on the back of the unit at the top, run your finger directly down the back of the right hand side one until you hit the bottom, and you should be pretty much touching the wires that you need to pull out.

 

[gsalini]

AWESOME! Thank you so much for your time and effort! Ill tell you how i get on. Thanks a million!

 

[dannyjb]

AWESOME! Thank you so much for your time and effort! Ill tell you how i get on. Thanks a million!

yer let me know mate

 

[gsalini]

Hey, so yea.. i followed what u said and u wont believe it! i started pulling the socket out and the bulb came on! The bulb hadnt gone, bad wiring! It works fine now! haha. Cant believe it, well at least i have two spare bulbs now ei! haaa. Thanks for all your help tho man.