Heater - dodgy light bulb?

[MUK]

Hi to all i've searched and searched on the forums and DIY but can't find the answer, I have an 53 Reg Aug 03 build Cooper. - out of warranty. All is well apart from the heater controls. The acutal light behind the heater (hot/cold) keeps going out - I wack the tube on he left and it comes back on.

Then change the air/con or speed from 1-3 and it then goes out - whack it and it can be fine for another day or so.

So my plea is - has anyone else had this?, if so can you replace the light/led within the heater control unit or do you have to replace the whole lot (i dread what the price will be)

Your help is greatly appreciated

[MUK]

Anyone please can help me on this???

[robby71]

if it comes on after a whack them maybe the plug behind is loose (have you fitted an aftermarket stereo where you might have pulled the plug?)

[Hansii]

I have a similar problem, only mine never works. Does anyone know how to replace the bulb for the hot/cold control on the manual climate control?

[MUK]

I have not touched ANYTHING behind the radio - anyone please can you replace the bulb/led os is a complete unit - someone?...

[Hansii]

It seems like no one knows, but does anyone know if it's hard to take out the entire unit?

Since it's mechanical I would think it's pretty difficult to take out

[minisoopercooper]

getting the panel out is pretty straight forward - just remove the down tubes ( 2 torx screws each) then each section (i.e stereo, heater controls, toggels etcetc) are held in by their own torx screws - just undo them and have a good wiggle at the plug connectors.

[Hansii]

I did it, I fixed id!

It turned out to be a really complicated and tricky job. First you take off the down tubes, then the stereo (completely out), then the switch panel (also completely out), and then you can remove the screws which holds the heating unit. But the heating unit is mounted on the inside of the "chassis" that makes up the center console, so you have to take of both of the wire connectors for the temp and air direction controls, and then you have to take off two cable connectors. This can be quite difficult, small hands comes in handy. Also removing the bottom panel on the centre console helps.

After all that you can push the heater unit inward and twist it around to get it out. Then you have to take it apart, there are clips all over the unit which have to be taken off and then you have to knock the temp and air direction knobs out (I used a small hammer). Then you take the entire assembly out of the "box", and now all you have to do is twist the light bulbs out and switch them out, and put everything back together and pray everything still works.

My car is a 2002, so it might be easier on newer models (after 2004)

[MUK]

Many thanks I have a 53' cooper (slight revision with the glove box version) do you know what type of bulbs they take - i dread taking it all out and dricing around with no centre console as i can't find the bulbs?

[Hansii]

Quote: Originally Posted by MUK (original)

Many thanks I have a 53' cooper (slight revision with the glove box version) do you know what type of bulbs they take - i dread taking it all out and dricing around with no centre console as i can't find the bulbs?

I'm not sure of the exact name of the bulbs, I got them at a gas station, it was the smallest ones they had.

[Dan00Hawk]

Thanks for the info! Mine is doing it too on the temp control. Been living with it for awhile being dark, as I *know* what's there, but it bothers me seeing it un-lit at night.

[oldnell]

Quote: Originally Posted by Hansii (original)

I'm not sure of the exact name of the bulbs, I got them at a gas station, it was the smallest ones they had.

R509T, I believe.

R509T Dashboard Bulbs 12V 1.2W (black) :: Dashboard & Panel Bulbs 12V :: Autobulbs Direct Ltd - Xenon bulbs, car bulbs, wiper blades, headlight, Osram, Ring, Philips

I'm going to do a write-up of the complete bulb-replacement process. It was very fiddly.

One tip before I go, though. Turn the fan speed to 4 before dismantling the unit and *do not turn the fan speed knob while you have the fascia off*!

Oli

[oldnell]

Hot off the press.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/faults-fi...rol-panel.html