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Renault Laguna 1 - Interiors - Heater Panel Bulb.......How To (finally!)

17K views 20 replies 9 participants last post by  beanmuncha 
#1 ·
Hi all,

I have a 1995 N Reg 1.8 RT 8v Laguna with the heater and blower controls on the dash having no light. I think this must be a faulty bulb but i am not sure how i get to where the bulbs are located as i dont want to brake the controls,

Any ideas on what this could be or could it be a fuss

Chris
 
#2 ·
wasn't going to butt in, but it might be helpful.
Looking through the haynes manual,
remove radio and radio housing (4 retaining screws) to get to the 2 heater control retaining screws underneath the heater panel.

Pull out the heater panel as far as poss and twist bulb holders anti-clockwise to remove. It advises that the bulb and holder are integral.

Even if you don't change the bulbs it'll be useful to know this in order to fit the new panel from Harry69koi.
 
#7 ·
I tried to replace the bulb the other today, I managed to remove all the radio and all the other stuff and got to behind the 3 heater and blow controls ok but i could not fully get the heater and blower controls off. The bottom of them come away ok but the top of the control panel does not seem to remove or unclip and the bulb is located at the top and i cannot fir the new bulb until i can get the top of the blow control panel removed

Chris
 
#9 ·
I'm up against the same problem:

Had everything out (as per Haynes manual & posts here).....but when I get to the heater panel there AREN'T any screws to take out (as in don't exist, not simply missing), just a largish white plastic moulding that is fixed 'somewhere' but its really not obvious where.

Like the previous post(s) the knob facia will detach at its lower edge but not at the top.....at least not without getting dangerously close to snapping it.

Hour and a half work to achieve nothing.

What a God-awful arrangement!

Anyone shed any further light on this (bad choice of words).

? :steam:

Spiro'
 
#10 ·
Thanks Coachman,

I made a point of ringing our local Renault dealership a few days ago and did manage to get put through to one of their 'technicians'.

He said that to his knowledge he'd never seen a variation on the heater panel fixing and that they have always been held in by two 7mm bolts - albeit 'tucked out of sight'.

To re-coin your phrase, I too will be 'going in again', because they must be extremely well tucked out of sight judging from my experience a week ago.

On the other hand, the panel must be attached somewhere !

Mine is the 'std' / non a/c version so it may (?) be different on the climate control version.

Compare notes later in the week?

Thanks for taking an interest.

Spiro'
 
#11 · (Edited by Moderator)
Laguna 1 - Interiors - Heater Panel Bulb.......How To (finally!)

Hi all,

After some frustration on re-instating the lighting on the heater control panel, I'm pleased to report that its now done!

I have to admit that the two panel retaining screws caught me out first time around ( and it would seem, some of you).

At the end of the day, you're chasing ONE bulb only and this is quite a lot of work (took me an hour) for 1 little lamp, but if like me the blacked-out panel irritates the hell out of you - then its worth the hour!

So here we go, lots of pics, (a few a bit out of focus - sorry):-

(MODS - IF you think this is useful I'll leave it to you to post in the best place?)
Edit :- L20 - Consider that done my friend !!

Steps:-

0) MAKE SURE you have the radio's security code!

1) This is the panel I was dealing with:



2) Next, you need the ashtray out - it just pops out of its locating pins....



3) Now remove the 'odds n sods' tray ( spring plastic clips with a small flat blade screwdriver......careful!)




4) Remove gear gaiter: ( simply unclips ):-





5) Now undo the ashtray body (a couple of Torx screws - the book says remove the centre console....thats a lot of additional work when the ashtray body WILL spring out of the console edge without too much trouble - your choice)




5a) Remove the tray.......





5b) And remove cables:......





6) Radio removal:- If your radio is similar to this one it (supposedly) needs a special D.I.N tool to release it. If you have one great......if not, a couple of 2 or 3 mm drill shanks or a bit of wire coathanger bent into a 'U' work quite well, (so much for secure!). Work on each side a bit at a time (little finger in the cassette opening helps), and ease radio out of housing......




6b) Radio cables:- remove aerial / earth / power / speaker / remote cable plugs from sockets. usual plastic spring-tags hold them in - which break easily - heavy handed is not needed here!







7) Check progress with supervisor!






8) Radio Tray screws:- This is a little bit fiddly....6 Torx screws, 4 at the bottom and 2 at the top but further back inside. BE CAREFUL not to drop them - real so and so to find them again!





8b) Radio Tray remove:- Ease the complete assembly outwards and downwards from the bottom. It IS quite a tight fit in the console sides. Note the two locating pegs on the top which engage with locating holes in the heater panel. There are two soft plastic shrouds on these (to stop rattles?), make sure you retain these - one or both might stick in the heater panel end..........(mine did).








9) HEATER PANEL SCREWS!:- These caught me out on the first attempt - but they are there! Two 7mm hex-head screws one on either side in a recess, (sorry about poor pic, RHS screw is just visible on the RHS of the black actuating arm)......










10) Ease the panel forwards:-







11) .....and carefully unspring the plastic catches on all 4 sides of the facia (knobs detach WITH facia). DO NOT disturb spindles - you DO want the facia to go straight back on don't you?.......






12) Bulb (just the one!):- This pic shows the small black(dead) bulb in the centre. A lot of work just for this eh?

(The small red and yellow LEDS visible just to the left are (on mine) indicators for the rear screen heater. You may have additional LEDs if you have other functionality on the panel.

Light distribution is achieved from this single bulb by an arrangement of 'light-pipes' built into the facia itself. (see pic above)








The bulb and its holder detach by turning thru' 90' and removing from the rear......

New bulbs of this type (2.2w I believe) are readily available and are used on many cars. Here is a pic of the same bulb (as supplied for a Merc !). It does seem possible to get the pea bulb on its own (it just pulls out of the holder). IF this is what you want to do, I know that Mercedes sell these on their own - because they are used in the heater controls on the W124 series. Otherwise, I'm sure Halfords have got the whole thing.

Replace the same way you took it out.....a bit fiddly.




CHECK that it works before you put it all back together!






Re-assembly notes:-

Process........read the above backwards!

It goes without saying, be careful not to break or force anything. If it won't go back easily then its almost certainly mis-aligned - in particular this applies to the radio housing which IS a tight fit AND the top lugs need to engage with the heater panel. When it is correctly aligned it goes back quite easily.

Re-code radio (depending on type of radio fitted)........

First digit by pressing '1' required No. of times
Second digit by pressing '2' etc etc.
Confirm 4 digit code by pressing (on mine at least ) - No. 6


Tools needed:-

Torx Driver
Couple of small Flat-blade screwdrivers
Couple of 2 or 3 mm drills or coathanger wire (courtesy of 'Oilyrag')
Small pair of grips (possibly)
7mm socket ...1/4" drive with extension or similar
Tray to hold all the screws in

---------------------------------------------

Hope this helps?

Let me know?

Regards,

Spiro'
 
#17 ·
Thanks......

Not sure on Renault costs.........thought someone else said in a post that it was £50 or £60, which is probably 98% labour 2% bulb.

Bl**dy silly arrangement but not the only car by any means with highly inaccessible bulbs.

Still - if this saves a few members a few quid then its worth the effort.

Spiro'
 
#19 ·
Spiro,

Just wanted to say thank you for your fantastic post ref bulb change. Did mine yesterday after reading your post and would never have even attempted it had it not been for your excellent advice and pictures. The annoying black panal finally has illumination!!!!. Many many thanks Chaz.
 
#20 ·
Glad you got it sorted Chaz.....

It drove me nuts the first time I tried - but persistance pays in the end. Like you - hated that panel being dark at night.

Might be a case for modifying the bulb for a super-bright white LED..... with the life span of those things it'd never need changing!

:)

Spiro'
 
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