V6 Gear Selector Quadrant Light

Post by **CitroJim** » 21 Sep 2010, 20:56

This is a funny one. On my MK1, the light that illuminates the gear selector quadrant has gone out and at night I cannot see where the selector is. It's a serious problem as I have to go all the way to P and then click down through R and N to find D. If it was my MK2 it would not matter as the MK2 has the repeater up on the dashboard.

The bulb is a funny one. A little squat thing with a plastic shroud around it.

I cannot find a direct replacement and the nearest I can find is this LED one. This LED one would be good if it'll work as it would never need changing again.

Will this do the job or can anyone identify the exact correct bulb? I only want to change it once as it is necessary to remove the centre console to do the job

Post by **RichardW** » 21 Sep 2010, 21:30

It appears not available separately - service.citroen lists a 'lamp bracket' which looks like it's got the bulb in the end of it:

Part Number Description Quantity Price excl. VAT Price incl. VAT Total incl. VAT
0000246183 LAMP BRACKET 11.05 GBP 12.98 GBP 12.98 GBP

Not the end of the world if it's only needed every 170k or so! Sure you can bodge something up though for less, but how much is your time worth??!!

Post by **CitroJim** » 21 Sep 2010, 21:44

Thanks Richard!

I'm quite happy to pay that for the right one. I should have guessed the thing comes as a complete assembly as the bulb itself looks as if it is not really supposed to be removed from it...

addo · Post by **addo** » 21 Sep 2010, 23:16

I think the Series II auto console has a similar bulb - mine blew, so I just popped in a T5.

Stempy · Post by **Stempy** » 22 Sep 2010, 06:34

On my series 2 I noticed that there was a bulb fitted but it wasn't connected, as in no wiring, so I suppose that would point to it coming as an assembly, but I'm sure it was just a standard type dash bulb in there, and I don't remember having to have the whole console out to get to it.

I actually went to the bother of wiring it up and experimented with a LED but found it wouldn't quite fit comfortably as it was too tall and additionally the spread of light was too directional to make it effective.

Post by **xantia_v6** » 22 Sep 2010, 06:51

Jim,

I am puzzled. I have replaced these bulbs in MK1 and Mk2 and they are just standad baseless bulbs. To get them out of the holder I wrapped a loop of sticky tape around and gripped that with needle nose pliers.

Mike

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 22 Sep 2010, 08:16

yep me too, on the coupe, which is the same as the S2 xant..

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 22 Sep 2010, 12:50

Id watch fitting an LED too, arent they "Fired" by a tiny 2 volts or so??? Meaning 12v through it would blow it....?

Hence LED equipt cars for Brake lights and indicators have about 7 in a row to split the 12v power between them..

Paul

Stempy · Post by **Stempy** » 22 Sep 2010, 15:10

I think LEDs for aftermarket automotive use generally have built in resistors to limit the current, some even have a bridge built in so you can fit them either way round. The LEDs that are built into modern cars are generally driven by a modulated signal, much like that which keeps the HA valves open.

The trouble with LEDs is their light dispersal can be very directional which means you don't get an even lighting as you do with a regular bulb, so in backlighting applications they don't do as well unless the panel they are illuminating is designed for them.

Post by **CitroJim** » 22 Sep 2010, 17:24

It was me, I had a very senior moment

I dived in an looked and found indeed just a normal capless bulb. Popped it out, popped a new one in and hey-presto I can see in the dark where the stick is!

I confused myself by having a look at a MK2 selector box and here the light is different, almost completely!

Moral of the story: never look at a MK2 when you are dealing with a MK1....