Hi Everyone,

I have a V70 - Sept 2000 model, new shape and one of the lamps behind the automatic climate control panel has failed. It's behind the cluster of three push switches which direct the airflow in the cabin. Are there any tips on how to gain access to the rear of this panel in order to replace the lamp.

Great forum - keep up the good work.

Thanks

Whizzzy,
This is for a 850 from another forum. It may or may not be the same for your V70. Hope it helps.


Posted by:
sj
2.November.2005 @ 19:12

Wooooo hooooo. Cap48, Mr. Bear.... all is well d....

I finally changed the blown bulb behind the control panel, the cooling and fan speed controls, of my 850. Thanks again to Cap48 who gave me the most valuable hint on the removal of the panel.

First, the 3 knobs were pulled out – 2 cooling controls and the air directional control. Each knob has a folded metal acting as a clip behind to increase their tightness to the control shaft. Attention must be paid not to pull it so hard that when the knobs come off the shaft, the clips fly out and no where to be seen again. Two Philips screws will be visible once the knobs are removed. Undo those and the panel is ready for removal. The fan sliding control button need not be removed as it is attached to the panel and comes off together as a whole.

Removal of the panel is one delicate procedure. The plastic material can break into easily if it is pulled too hard on any one corner and subjected to excessive bending. A little prayer will be necessary. J

I had thought the panel to be thin, maybe 2 or 3 mm at most. Not quite. It has a side trim that’s nearly 1 cm along each of the 4 sides. And all around the 4 sides is a layer of cloth-like material adhered for better fit and probably for squeak-dampening effect. This layer of cloth makes it even harder to slide out the panel. When one side is pulled, the other may appear to go back into the housing. Can be frustrating. Good fingernails may come in handy. I think a flat head screwdriver would leave prising marks along the housing, if used. The lower section of the panel must come off straight out, not to be tilted. This is because there are 3 flat and wide wiring sockets attached to the controls are there and are supposed to come off together with the face panel. Tilting of the panel may dislocate the sockets or break the delicate plastic clips. I find the best way is to use finger nails of all 10 fingers to grip on both sides while trying to pull the panel out, working from top and then the lower section. Once the panel is out a couple of mm, continue pulling outward, very slowly.

Once out, you’ll see the lower wiring sockets will leave the panel dangling out and not completely detached. For the bulbs to be replaced, the wires can be left as they are. You’ll notice the panel is quite a complex piece of “art”. I’m truly amazed at how much effort Volvo put in to design the panel that incorporates the use of a piece of transparent plastic behind the black panel that serves to “reflect” light generated by just 2 tiny bulbs to illuminate the whole area, particularly to the markings along the controls. Amazing angles and light deflecting direction for a thin plastic lens. It fooled me to believe there were more than 2 bulbs behind the panel. I had thought there were at least 4. And I suspected 2 were blown. Turns out only 1 out of 2 is blown. The bulb has a 1.5 w rating (user manual says 1.2 w!!) and is attached to a tiny strip of metal inserted in a socket. The whole bulb and the socket is mounted from behind a white colour piece of flat plastic. That odd shaped piece of plastic is clipped on with 3 tabs, easily bent to release the plastic. Now with the plastic out, the bulb can be removed by twisting about quarter circle and pulling out straight. ECCO sells them at below RM30 each.

After bulb is replaced, everything else goes back in reverse order. First the white plastic panel is clipped back to the control unit (with new bulb installed). Then, the face panel. Then, 2 screws. Finally, the 3 knobs. If the metal clips inside the knobs are loose and drops out easily, widen the crimped metal so that the clip could be snuggle-fitted into the knobs. To avoid removing the panel twice, I have left the panel half fitted back in while I shop for a replacement bulb. Hope this long illustration could give a better idea of what to expect for anyone who wish to replace blown bulbs behind the control panel.

Any confusion?

:clap:

I am in need of the bulbs that are behind the Climate Control Unit and I am having a very hard time finding them. I need the bulb with the holder attached. Can you point me in the right direction in regards to the part number or somewhere I could buy them instead of the dealer. I have a 95 850 GLT.

Much appreciated.