Dashboard lights don't work on climate control/aircon/heater

[lowfat]

Hi All
I've just bought a 9year old car and I can't see the buttons in the dark on the climate control. This is particularly dangerous at the moment as it's winter and when driving along I risk having an accident when trying to find them whilst driving. I guess the light bulbs have just gone.

How do I replace them? Can anyone point me to some instructions or copy and paste them? Is it easy/quick? Do I just need a screwdriver?

Approximately how much do garages charge for doing this?

Thanks

[Capncol]

Unclip the bezel from the multi display unit, then remove it. Undo the screws for the main cover bezel that goes round the radio/vent/heater control. Remove radio (depending on type) Unclip main bezel and remove. 4 screws can now be seen retaining heater control. Undo and remove unit. Bulbs are located in rear.

[lowfat]

I had a go at doing it myself. I managed to get a bit of the outer circular plastic off easily enough but then I saw that the screws needed a certain type of allen key in a star shape. Halfords only sell it in a kit costing £20 so in the end I paid a Peugeot garage. They charged me £50. £40 was for half hour's labour and the rest for parts. I can't help feeling ripped off. I managed to change the dashboard lights myself on my old Astra ten years ago. I think they make new cars harder to fix yourselves these days.

[GrandadMonkey]

You can get a set of Torx drivers for less than a fiver,

e.g.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-6339 ... 69&sr=8-15

It makes sense to invest in a set as most modern cars have them.

I don't think you were ripped off. The garage has its overheads, the mechanic/technician has to be paid, and the government takes its 20% too.

[CHARLIE12]

i have bulbs from my vw will these be ok to install or will they damage the car????

[Capncol]

If they are the same bulbs, then no. It won't damage anything. Bulbs aren't that dear to buy in anycase.

[jethro123]

OK, I have dismantled the centre console and got access to the rear of the heater control panel. How the heck do I get the bulb holders out? I have tried twisting them, pulling them, wiggling them, they will not budge. For information they are white in colour and on a 2009 Peugeot 206 HDi. Thanks.

[EdmundIJones]

You need to twist them (about 90 degrees I recall), have you taken out the climate control unit or are you tryign to squeeze your hand in behind? I unscrewed mine and manoeuvred it out to work on.

[jethro123]

Thanks for the reply. I unscrewed the unit and pulled it out as far as I could, without disconnecting the heater control cables. I will have another go and let you know how I get on.

[EdmundIJones]

They are a bit tight, they are like a bayonet fitting, I think I used a pair of pliers to give it a bit of help. Here's a tip, if some work and others don't but you are not sure which, remove the bulbs from behind the clock and substitute each one from the climate unit in turn, you can easily see which ones light up as there are lots of gaps in the back of the clock. The fit is light but it does work.