Dashboard Lights
Dashboard Lights
Author
Discussion

mb802

Original Poster:

16 posts

233 months

Monday 28th April 2008
quotequote all
Hi all, I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction as to where I can get my hands on the type of light bulb that fit in the dash.

A week ago the electrics in the trusty S failed and the kindly Mr RAC had to rescue me from the hard shoulder of the M4. He diagnosed a dead alternator that was failing to charge the battery. I duly took the alternator to the local workshop where I was told there was absolutely nothing wrong with it. Noting my bewildered expression, he told me that often, the battery light that comes on in the dashboard when you turn the key is in a series circuit with the alternator and battery. If the bulb should blow or fall out of it's holder, it'll break the circuit and prevent the alternator from doing it's job. Sure enough, a quick check revealed the tiny light bulb had blown.

So, I've removed the bulb and taken it to my local halfords, but can't seem to find a similar one. Does anyone know what type it is or where I can get a replacement? (or possibly has a spare one they'd accept a small payment for?)

Cheers!

p.s. as an aside, the motor is up for it's mot. Is a missing dashboard battery light a fail-able offence?

ketvrin

3,504 posts

238 months

Monday 28th April 2008
quotequote all
I dont know about the MOT but I had a similar problem with the light stopping the charging and I now have another (second) light bulb in the circuit providing the charge...

bloody crazy set up I reckon...

K

mb802

Original Poster:

16 posts

233 months

Monday 28th April 2008
quotequote all
ketvrin said:
I dont know about the MOT but I had a similar problem with the light stopping the charging and I now have another (second) light bulb in the circuit providing the charge...

bloody crazy set up I reckon...

K
Do you mean you just replaced the faulty bulb with another? If so did you just have a spare lying around or did you buy it from somewhere?

ketvrin

3,504 posts

238 months

Monday 28th April 2008
quotequote all
I had a spare, but I'm sure they are not perculiar, take your blown one to a motor factor.

I also wired in another, under the bonnet, just to act as a load...

K wink

mb802

Original Poster:

16 posts

233 months

Monday 28th April 2008
quotequote all
Ah, I see what you mean now, good idea! And if anyone out there's interested, a call to Mr kwikfit has revealed that apart from ABS brake warning lights (where applicable), inoperative dashboard lights will not fail an MOT. smile

Sweet Thunder

220 posts

250 months

Tuesday 29th April 2008
quotequote all
Which dashboard do you have? On the S1/S2 dash there are a few warning lights that aren't used, so you can easily either switch the connectors, or change the warning light. New warning lights are available here: http://www.nfauto.co.uk/download/cataloguejuly2005...
(page 25)

hurststeve

101 posts

228 months

Thursday 1st May 2008
quotequote all
Regarding MOT failure and warning lights, you can also fail if the rear fog lamp warning light is inoperative. I did.

mb802

Original Poster:

16 posts

233 months

Friday 2nd May 2008
quotequote all
Sweet Thunder said:
Which dashboard do you have? On the S1/S2 dash there are a few warning lights that aren't used, so you can easily either switch the connectors, or change the warning light. New warning lights are available here: http://www.nfauto.co.uk/download/cataloguejuly2005...
(page 25)
Brilliant, thanks for that. Was going to just swap it with an unecessary warning light, but seeing as they're so cheap, may as well buy a new one. Thanks also to everyone else that replied!