Dash Lamps
 

Where in the UK is a good place to buy the correct bulbs of various sizes for dash/dials/switchgear illumination? I would imagine Subaru will want a small fortune for just a handful of bulbs.

I have just let my Subaru dealer to change most of these bulbs/lighs at climate control, dashbord etc. It cost me aprox. 5-10USD including work. Of course they did not used the original subaru parts but there is a lot of cheep sources. Ask them for their price. I let them do that because I did not want to spend a lot of time do it at my own....
Peter

Thanks for that Nobody.........erm, I feel like I'm talking to myself!!!:confused:

Another question or two. Do the two 'doors open' gauges illuminate when the lights are on? Mine don't and the left hand on doesn't show when either my bonnet or my boot are open either. Is this likely to be just a few dead bulbs?

Also, do the overhead buttons and switches illuminate? Once again mine don't.

Hi Monsta

I manager to get some bulbs while I was in the US, from Radio Shack, part number was either advised here or on the Yahoo group. We have a number of bulbs out too, yes the overhead should illuminate, not sure about the car pictogram but the doors show red when open........ I have been thinking about whether the bulbs could be replaced with green 12v LED's, not sure if the dimmer circuit would work properly tho........

Phil.

Tonight I made a note of exactly what parts of my dash fail to illuminate and a question or five raised themselves......

1. Does the orange windscreen demist symbol (above the demist button) illuminate? The other symbols around it do (auto, fan, aircon, outside temp etc).

2. The car pictogram to the left (showing side profile of car), does this show boot/bonnet open or does it just show AT temperature warning? Also, do the two pictograms illumionate? Next time one of you guys is driving at night just make a quick note and let me know. :) Thanks.

3. The headlamp washer switch, what exactly does that do? When I press it I hear a little relay or motor operate somewhere behind and to the right of me but nothing else happens. Lights on or off, no water sprays on them when I press the washer switch on the stalk.

4. Do the 'heated seat' switches to the left of the steering column and the 'door mirror adjuster' to the right illuminate?

and finally....

5. Does the P/W switch in the door illuminate?

Sorry for such silly questions but I only have a USA Owners Manual and it doesn't answer these questions. Thanks in advance.

Hi Montza,

1. Yes, it illuminates (mine gone yesterday:-))
2. It only shows warning for ATF temperature and Front diff. - no illumination (same like the other pictogram for open doors and hazard symbol)
3. It should wash your headlamps (mine is ok, but do not know right now if there is separate tank for it or if it goes from windshield washer). There is given interval so it does not matter how long you press the button, it will spray only aprox. 1 sec.
4. Yes both illuminates
5. no, only drivers window switch illuminates
Hope it will help you, I went through such a process two weeks ago

Nobody,

Thanks a lot mate, that's just the answer I was looking for. Cheers for that.:D

Hi Monzta, maybe I have confused you little bit, my 'door mirror adjuster' does not illuminate
Peter

Illuminating.....
 

Thanks everyone for your help. I rang my nearest Subaru dealer today, Simpsons of Swindon. I say 'nearest' and not 'local' as I still have an hours drive to get there.:(

Anyway, Dave in the Parts Dept was very helpful (as usual) and took details of all the components that have blown bulbs. He rang me back about an hour later so say that apart form a couple of cheapish ones for the map reading lights at £2.50 + VAT that most of the others rang between £6 and £8.50 + VAT each. Even he was shocked and stunned that Subaru (UK) could have the blind faced cheek to charge such a price.:mad:

He also said the windscreen washer bottle would cost me a cool £60 and the pump a further £45. He said that FHI actually charge a very reasonable price for most components, it's Subaru (UK) that add a hefty lump of profit on.

So, I left it that I would attempt to get the blown bulbs out and see if I can match them up with something else from another car or a specialist electrical components shop. Oh to have a Radio Shack in the UK.:( If anyone can point me in the right direction on this I'd forever grateful.

:-(
My local dealer is 5 minutes from my work:-) and they offered me from the beggining not Subaru original bulbs but some OEMs which cost sagnificantly less than original ones. I will visit them tomorrow try to provide you some brand they use.
Peter

That's fantastic mate, I'd really appreciate it. Thank you!:)

They have opened on Saturadys only showroom:-(
So I will be back to you onMonday.
Peter

Here Subaru charges just Y200 (1 GBP) for the dash switch lights and I thought that was expensive!

As I know only these bulbs which indicate position of AT lever at instrument board has to be bought at Subaru and as I remeber one costed me aprox. 10 USD.
Peter