General Interior lighting

[dreamypuma]

Hi, the wife's had her Fiat 500 Lounge since February, but we've only just noticed this as it's darker on the evenings.

Does the 500 not have an interior courtesy light that operates when the door are opened and closed?

I've tried the light above the mirror in all three positions and nothing. Can get pitch black in our garage, and seems a basic thing.

 

[jrkitching]

Hi, the wife's had her Fiat 500 Lounge since February, but we've only just noticed this as it's darker on the evenings.

Does the 500 not have an interior courtesy light that operates when the door are opened and closed?

I've tried the light above the mirror in all three positions and nothing. Can get pitch black in our garage, and seems a basic thing.

Yes, it should work with the light in the middle position. If the light won't come on at all when you rock the light from side to side, it's most likely the bulb; otherwise check the door switch.

Also check out the 'follow me home' function on the headlight stalk; pull it towards you after you've turned off the ignition, and the headlights will come on - they'll go out automatically after 30 secs. You can increase the time they stay on for by pulling the stalk more than once.

 

[dreamypuma]

Sorry it's taken a while to get back and thanks for the response. I've rocked the switch from site to side and yes the light does come on when pushed to the sides but not the central position.

Pulling the fixture out from the roof lining, I think there is only one large bulb in the centre of the fixture.

I had look around in the door opening for a switch of some description, but was unable to locate anything that looked like a switch. There is a rubber stopper type thing just above the sill, which feels quite solid. Any ideas?

The follow me function works a treat, allowing me to adjust the lighting intervals by 30 second increments.

Just the courtesy light issue to resolve now.

 

[jrkitching]

I had look around in the door opening for a switch of some description, but was unable to locate anything that looked like a switch. There is a rubber stopper type thing just above the sill, which feels quite solid. Any ideas?

You can probably check it's functioning with a simple test. Just open the door with the engine running - the dash should immediately display a warning message telling you that the door is open.

I'm guessing both systems use the same input source but I'll have a ferret around in the workshop documentation to see if I can come up with anything else.

Update: There are two switches that activate the courtesy light - one in the pillar and one in the door locking system.

Next thing to check: Stand outside the car with the doors locked. Now look at the interior light and unlock the doors using the remote control. The interior light should illuminate progressively (it's on a dimmer circuit). Now lock the door using the remote, and it should go out progressively.

Check this out and report back & we'll take it from there.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

:yeahthat: Switch is part of the door catch mech. If the above message comes on then its a faulty interior light unit. I've some across 1 before. Might be worth taking it apart to see if it can be repaired, failing that replacement from one being scrappy on eBay is probably best. I think IIRC its the same unit in the mk3 Panda also.

 

[dreamypuma]

Thanks guys,

I am getting the message about the doors when the engine is on or key turned in the ignition. The message does not appear when the ingnition is not turned.

Even with the engine on the courtesy light is still not being switched on when the doors open. Only manually illuminated by pushing the rocker to the left or right.

I may remove the fitting again tomorrow to see if I notice anything obvious. Should there be only one bulb in the fitting?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Correct, only 1 bulb I believe. From your description the light unit is at fault.

 

[dreamypuma]

Any ideas on price from a main dealer? Or any view on where else I can get a replacement from online. Seen a few at a local breaker (italian specialist near Leeds) but he has a reputation.