Switch Illumination
 

Hi everyone. This is my 1st proper post on here, I normally just come on and read, but decided to post for a change.

One of the switches in the car stopped lighting up as they should when the lights are on. Now this started to bug me quite a bit, seeing a dull spot where there should've been light.
Anyhow I pulled the switch out to find in the side there's a little bulb in a holder, that had blown. I went to Halfords and a local motor factor but couldn't get hold of a bulb to fit, each time I was told it's a dealer part. So I phoned my local dealer and was told that they couldn't get just a bulb and would have to have a new switch at £31+vat ????
After deciding that was more than a little expensive just to get a perfectly good switch to light up again, I decided to have a search about.
Maplins :notworthy
Asked for a tiny tiny little 12v bulb and result got some. It's called a Wire Terminal type bulb, part number BT43W. Basicaly a bulb with 2 thin wires coming out the bottom of it. It's a little fiddly but all you do is unwind the wires of the old bulb from the holder, feed the wires of the new bulb into the holder and wind them around 2 little "cut outs" in the holder. Cut off the excess, refit the holder into the switch and you're sorted. Cost of bulb £1.09. :thumb:

SIAL............:sleep::sleep::sleep::sleep::sleep ::sleep::sleep:

You obviously haven't been around THAT long:D

Sorry, I thought it might be helpful :notworthy
Oh well can't please everyone :lol1:

It probably was...........most people on here either can't be bothered to, or just plain can't, use the "search" system;)

The £30 odd quid you were quoted is crazy mate.
The bulb in my front fog light switch went and Bulldog Subaru in Twyford fixed it for less than £3 during its last service....

Probably using the method in the OP;)

Mate that was useful ! I know what you mean about little problems like that bugging you. I once had a dash board light go on VW Golf and I ended up almost taking the entire dash out just to fix it. All because it used to annoy me when driving at night !!!

Oh, and I love fixes which are cheap and cheerful like this too. Nice one !! :)

Yeah probably Tanya - I was more trying to point out that whichever dealer he went to was trying to rip him off!
After all, if my local dealer can get a bulb it stands to reason so should his!
It's a shame not all dealers offer great service.
Bulldog Twyford definitely get my vote - very very curteuous and they're honest - they've never tried to rip me off - maybe it's because a couple of the guys there are enthusiasts themselves - one of em was parked across from me at the McRae Gathering :)

This should be made a sticky