Would it be a swine to change dash bulbs?

mattpc · Post by **mattpc** » 16 Aug 2005, 02:32

Why new Xantia (like my old one) suffers from not having enough bulbs lit up on the dash so that at night some of the dials don't light up/ are faded. Would it cost a fortune to get an auto electrician to rectify this? I don't fancy pulling the dash apart myself.[:(]

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 16 Aug 2005, 03:16

What is a fortune by your definition ?
There are jobs best left to the bodgers - where you pay and have the warranty [8D]

mattpc · Post by **mattpc** » 16 Aug 2005, 03:48

Well I don't want to spend more than £100 really because it's only for my vanity. Many places in the UK seem to charge £30 p/h labour 30 x7 which is £210 for a full days labour!

Ross_K · Post by **Ross_K** » 16 Aug 2005, 04:05

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by mattpc

Well I don't want to spend more than £100 really because it's only for my vanity.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
It is nice to be able to see what speed you're doing at night, or how much fuel you have left. [:0]
Phone around and get the job priced. Dunno how much a Xantia would cost. I had it done on my last ZX pretty cheaply, but that dash is a whole different kettle of fish. If you don't want to fork out too much for someone to sort it, spend 15 quid on a Haynes and see if you're up to having a go. [;)]

mattpc · Post by **mattpc** » 16 Aug 2005, 04:08

I've got the Haynes and to be honest I don't think I am! I can see the fuel and speed but the rev counter is going...

Ross_K · Post by **Ross_K** » 16 Aug 2005, 04:29

What part of the country are you in? Somebody will surely be able to recommend a good Citroen man (or woman) to you...

D.Slatford · Post by **D.Slatford** » 16 Aug 2005, 05:07

It's really not that too hard a job. The whole dash doesn't come out to replace instrument panel bulbs. Remove the steering wheel cover (two torx screws behind it, turn wheel each way to locate them), unplug airbag (make sure battery disconnected for a few minutes before hand), remove wheel, then you have access to facia surround screws, and finally instrument panel screws. That's how simple it was from memory when I did this a couple of years ago, the Haynes manual is actually quite helpfull too!

Rostami · Post by **Rostami** » 16 Aug 2005, 05:46

D.Slatford,
Does your description apply to all Xantias (MK1 and MK2)?

zzf00l · Post by **zzf00l** » 16 Aug 2005, 12:19

I heard somewhere that the MK2 Xantia has non replaceable bulbs...a new panel is required, don't know how accurate that info is but I think it is worth checking before stripping the dash to bits!!!
Ian

Post by **Sir Clive** » 16 Aug 2005, 16:00

Given the difficulty in changing dash bulbs, I'd be inclined to fit some of those everlasting LED ones. I only wish they'd been about when I was running the turbodiesel Visa, or the BX, when the dash lamps are lit all the time the ignition is switched on.
On cars equipped with a dimmer for the dash lamps, I find that turning it it down to about halfway still gives more than enough light to see the instruments, and will give hugely increased bulb life.
Regards
Philip

D.Slatford · Post by **D.Slatford** » 16 Aug 2005, 16:24

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Does your description apply to all Xantias (MK1 and MK2)?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Pass - I presume the MKII Xantia was the late face-lifted model? I get confused between models - there was the early ones with the badge on the bonet, the revised models with the badge on the grille and slightly different interior which I've always owned, then revised again (around 1998/1999ish?) with sleeker front, sleeker interior, colour bumpers.

mattpc · Post by **mattpc** » 16 Aug 2005, 16:58

Yes, By Mark II I mean the one with the different shaped front end.

JohnT · Post by **JohnT** » 16 Aug 2005, 19:39

I agree it is not a difficult job, just done one on a 1995 Xantia. I have a number of bulbs you can have for a small donation to a charity and the post. You can test them quite easily by pushing in the connectors without fully fitting the dash binnacle.

basil40 · Post by **basil40** » 16 Aug 2005, 20:00

I replaced all my dashboard lights - you have to replace all of them ! - be very very careful not to damage the plastic trim around the steering column. You don't need to take the steering wheel off. Gently does it all the way, the Haynes is quite useful, but doesn't tell you where all the screws are. Try to get a short stubby torx if you can to remove screws holding upper steering wheel trim console. Check that all lights work BEFORE you put everything back into position and don't be tempted to disconnect the mileometer!

mattpc · Post by **mattpc** » 16 Aug 2005, 20:21

How many of these bulbs am I likely to need and do I still need to disconnect the airbag if I am not removing the steering wheel?