Fibre optic distribution unit

[griffter]

You know - the thing with a bulb in it with all the fibre optics for the window switches etc coming out of it. It's under the centre console (under the window switches in fact).

What's it off? Mines melted.

[Griffer]

It's from the late 80's on Range Rover, when I enquired though when mine went it was NLA from Land Rover.
If it's the colour filter thats melted inside you can fix it though by inserting suitable coloured acetate pieces at the other end of the light pipes, under the ground glass diffuser spheres in the console behind the switch panel. If the main units OK then you cant tell the difference when lit with this mod, and theres more air space in the optic unit so it doesnt get so hot. Always seemed daft that the optics come on with the ignition rather than the side lights.One day will rewire mine to do that.
On the Range Rover, the optic unit is atached to the lower facia panel beneath the auxiliary switch panel, should you find one in a breaker.
Steve

[mikeb]

Have you thought of retro fitting a big bunch of suitably coloured 12v LED's instead of the crappy (burn your car down to the ground) 12v bulb??.

Shouldn't get as hot and might give out more light?!

MikeB

[griff430]

I didn't realise the switch console was meant to be illuminated on a Griffith. I thought it was just a case of "they're designed like that sir".

Obviously mine's not working, so I'll have to put that on my 'To-Do List'

[griffter]

Griffer said:

If it's the colour filter thats melted inside you can fix it though by inserting suitable coloured acetate pieces at the other end of the light pipes, under the ground glass diffuser spheres in the console behind the switch panel.

Fortunately it's not - it's just the bulb holder portion that's gloop.

Griffer said:

On the Range Rover, the optic unit is atached to the lower facia panel beneath the auxiliary switch panel, should you find one in a breaker. Steve

Great tip - thanks.

mikeb said:

Have you thought of retro fitting a big bunch of suitably coloured 12v LED's instead of the crappy (burn your car down to the ground) 12v bulb??. Shouldn't get as hot and might give out more light?! MikeB

Good idea - I'll bear it in mind if I draw a blank on the oe part.

[IPAddis]

mikeb said:

Have you thought of retro fitting a big bunch of suitably coloured 12v LED's instead of the crappy (burn your car down to the ground) 12v bulb??. Shouldn't get as hot and might give out more light?! MikeB

My 1996 Griff already has LEDs and not a fibre optic cable in sight. The LEDs for the direction control for example are triangular shaped LEDs.

What era was the fibre-optic arrangement then?

Ian A.

[pebbledash]

I think the ones in question are the 4.x's not the 500's.

[Griffer]

Quite right pebbledash, on the 4.x cars with the black perspex console panel there are small symbols for window lift,air direction and heat only visible when illuminated by the fibre optics when the ignitions on, there not very bright though.
Steve

[pupp]

Griffs in 'made from recycled chav chrimbo decorations' shocker. Who'd have thunk it