500 Changing Heater Control Panel Bulbs

[Dingopuppy]

I don't suppose you spotted the a/c bulb in there? Mines sooo dim, I have almost crashed trying to tell if the a/c is on or off- appalling design, wondered if I could up the bulb brightness or something!

 

[RichJohnson]

where did you get the bulbs from my car has on heater bulb out and I would love to replace this myself to save cash

 

[mrg9999]

Introduction

Here's my heater control panel. The left hand bulb which illuminates the temperature and fan speed has blown, so I'm going to replace it. It's a really simple job, and shouldn't take any more than 10-15 mins :yum:

View attachment 94625

What You Need

I used a chisel with some masking tape wrapped round the end to avoid damaging the heater control panel or dash. You could use something similar with an old rag, but the chisel and tape worked perfectly, and didn't do any damage!

View attachment 94626

Removing the Heater Control Panel

Before removing the panel, I turned the temperature all the way to cold, the fan speed to 1, the air intake thing D) to the fresh air setting, and the directional to the windscreen. It;s just so you know where they are when you come to refit, as they might move. You could tape them in place, but my method worked fine. I started at the top right of the control panel and worked my way round in a clockwise direction. Once you have the chisel in behind the top right corner and lever it off, the whole panel comes off reasonably easy by hand.

View attachment 94627

Removing the Bulbs

I recommend replacing both. You will pick them up form your local components shop for not a lot of money (mines were 80p each). I don't know what type the bulbs are, but just take one in with you! The bulbs are circled in red below and the just pull out and push in:

View attachment 94631

Here's what the bulbs look like:

View attachment 94629

Refitting the Heater Control Panel

Just line it up, and apply an even pressure with both hands across the face of it. It should snap back into place quite easily.

All done! Go and have a beer/glass of wine

Thanks
I asked the Fiat dealer how much to change these bulbs and they quoted £60.

 

[fiesta]

Just wanted to say "thanks" for this post. The same lights have gone out on mine and I wasn't sure if they'd be lighted previously or if I'd imagined them to be! Lol. Think ill just do without them rather than attempt this myself but a big thank you all the same!

 

[paul fletcher]

Here's a tip to go along with this post: I found the bulbs difficult to pull out, so after about 30 minutes struggling, I called on my wife to see if she could get them out. She wrapped a small piece of insulation tape around the bulb, and they pulled out really easily.

 

[BobJim33]

Introduction

Here's my heater control panel. The left hand bulb which illuminates the temperature and fan speed has blown, so I'm going to replace it. It's a really simple job, and shouldn't take any more than 10-15 mins :yum:

View attachment 94625

What You Need

I used a chisel with some masking tape wrapped round the end to avoid damaging the heater control panel or dash. You could use something similar with an old rag, but the chisel and tape worked perfectly, and didn't do any damage!

View attachment 94626

Removing the Heater Control Panel

Before removing the panel, I turned the temperature all the way to cold, the fan speed to 1, the air intake thing D) to the fresh air setting, and the directional to the windscreen. It;s just so you know where they are when you come to refit, as they might move. You could tape them in place, but my method worked fine. I started at the top right of the control panel and worked my way round in a clockwise direction. Once you have the chisel in behind the top right corner and lever it off, the whole panel comes off reasonably easy by hand.

View attachment 94627

Removing the Bulbs

I recommend replacing both. You will pick them up form your local components shop for not a lot of money (mines were 80p each). I don't know what type the bulbs are, but just take one in with you! The bulbs are circled in red below and the just pull out and push in:

View attachment 94631

Here's what the bulbs look like:

View attachment 94629

Refitting the Heater Control Panel

Just line it up, and apply an even pressure with both hands across the face of it. It should snap back into place quite easily.

All done! Go and have a beer/glass of wine

By the way, The bulb number is 2721 and can be purchased at any auto store.

 

[Geoff from the Wirral]

Here's a tip to go along with this post: I found the bulbs difficult to pull out, so after about 30 minutes struggling, I called on my wife to see if she could get them out. She wrapped a small piece of insulation tape around the bulb, and they pulled out really easily.

This is a great tip. I used duct tape because it's extra-sticky and the bulbs then came out straightaway.

 

[vclara101]

Introduction

Here's my heater control panel. The left hand bulb which illuminates the temperature and fan speed has blown, so I'm going to replace it. It's a really simple job, and shouldn't take any more than 10-15 mins :yum:

View attachment 94625

What You Need

I used a chisel with some masking tape wrapped round the end to avoid damaging the heater control panel or dash. You could use something similar with an old rag, but the chisel and tape worked perfectly, and didn't do any damage!

View attachment 94626

Removing the Heater Control Panel

Before removing the panel, I turned the temperature all the way to cold, the fan speed to 1, the air intake thing D) to the fresh air setting, and the directional to the windscreen. It;s just so you know where they are when you come to refit, as they might move. You could tape them in place, but my method worked fine. I started at the top right of the control panel and worked my way round in a clockwise direction. Once you have the chisel in behind the top right corner and lever it off, the whole panel comes off reasonably easy by hand.

View attachment 94627

Removing the Bulbs

I recommend replacing both. You will pick them up form your local components shop for not a lot of money (mines were 80p each). I don't know what type the bulbs are, but just take one in with you! The bulbs are circled in red below and the just pull out and push in:

View attachment 94631

Here's what the bulbs look like:

View attachment 94629

Refitting the Heater Control Panel

Just line it up, and apply an even pressure with both hands across the face of it. It should snap back into place quite easily.

All done! Go and have a beer/glass of wine

Hello
New to the forum and just got a Fiat 500 2010, does the lights come on simply by having the headlights on? i have noticed them come up twice, however most of the time they are not lit up? Is there a way to switch them on?
thanks

 

[Autobot500]

Does this work on a 2015 model?

 

[Olami]

whao, what a great tip, the bulb is very useful and i can't leave it been blown like that, with this your post, am 100% cofident and sure of fixing it my self without any problem.

Thanks alot.

 

[Pickle Rick]

My heater lights work intermittently. If i give a little tap on the panel they come and go; I will have to give this a go and see if its just a loose bulb.

 

[Markylee]

My heater lights work intermittently. If i give a little tap on the panel they come and go; I will have to give this a go and see if its just a loose bulb.

Did you get to the bottom of this?
Just bought a new second hand one and these two lamps are intermittent.
Can't believe it's the bulbs, more likely the PCB they're mounted on but just wondering how you cured yours?

 

[Dulanth]

My heater lights work intermittently. If i give a little tap on the panel they come and go; I will have to give this a go and see if its just a loose bulb.

i have the same issue half work if i tap the panel they might all come on but if i turn the dial some or all may go out my wifes car is a 2010 1.2 lounge with 82,000 miles on it

 

[Little500ladybird]

Hi folks. Ladybird is my wife's and we suffer the same intermittent illumination.
If, after a new bulb is fitted, it still isn't reliable, t'll be the board-base or the connections. Try giving them a squeeze to ensure they're tight onto the metal loop of wire at the bulb's base.
I'm going to swap ours out for some colourful LED's, probably in keeping with the rouge scheme, I'll post once/if it gets done!