Multi-function Display Bulb replacement
Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2014 2:28 pm
The multi-function display in my GTX has had blown bulbs for a while and was annoying me. I'd left it for a while because there were a couple of things bothering me about how to fix it – removing the trim panels without damage and what size of bulbs to use. My car is a 2000 model - a D9 in technical speak. I understand that the original pre-facelift models (D8) are different in this area.
Thanks to the various members contributing various posts on this subject to the forum. It helped build my confidence but I found that the information was spread about and it wasn't until after I'd finished that it all made sense. This spurred me into putting everything into one post and I hope less experienced readers (like I was) find it useful.
Getting the trim off is easy if you have the right tools and know how. You can buy specialised trim removal tools on ebay for less than £3 including postage. They are made of plastic so they are unlikely to damage trim but at the same time are quite strong. I bought a set of 4 which looks a bit like a toddler's cutlery set. It's worth having them for future repairs. On ebay do a search for “trim removal tool”.
The small trim pieces on both sides of the the display need to be prised out. Use a trim removal tool from the top and/or side and gently lever each one until it pops out. My pic shows the tool at the top. The camera makes the orange tool look white.
With the trim pieces out there are 4 screws to be undone – two each side. These use a Torx T20 fixing – you'll need a specialised Torx tool. Again these can be bought on ebay. My pic shows the MFD partly removed with three screw holes and one still with the screw in place.
With all the screws out there's enough spare cable that the MFD can be removed from position and turned over. In the back the three white bulb holders can be see. They are a twist fit – remove them. You don't need to undo the connector. Ignore the cable on the right which is non-standard.
I made a mistake at ths point by not buying enough new bulbs in advance because I didn't know the fitting. The bulb should be pulled out of the white holder.
The naked bulb can be seen and is available from car spares shops. They are a 286 fitting and there are huge numbers on ebay once you know the right search term. I was surprised how expensive they are for small quantities – my local spares shop charged £1 each so I only bought a couple. I should have bought a set of them online. On ebay it's possible to find a set of 10 for example quite cheaply. There are also LEDs available instead of conventional bulbs which should last much longer making them a better buy. I'll buy these in future. The bulbs are pushed into the holder, then the holders twist fitted back into the white plastic MFD.
Re-assembly is then just a matter of screwing in the screw and clipping in the trim panels. Be sure to check that it all works before putting everything back – hoping you haven't bought a new faulty bulb.
Thanks to the various members contributing various posts on this subject to the forum. It helped build my confidence but I found that the information was spread about and it wasn't until after I'd finished that it all made sense. This spurred me into putting everything into one post and I hope less experienced readers (like I was) find it useful.
Getting the trim off is easy if you have the right tools and know how. You can buy specialised trim removal tools on ebay for less than £3 including postage. They are made of plastic so they are unlikely to damage trim but at the same time are quite strong. I bought a set of 4 which looks a bit like a toddler's cutlery set. It's worth having them for future repairs. On ebay do a search for “trim removal tool”.
The small trim pieces on both sides of the the display need to be prised out. Use a trim removal tool from the top and/or side and gently lever each one until it pops out. My pic shows the tool at the top. The camera makes the orange tool look white.
With the trim pieces out there are 4 screws to be undone – two each side. These use a Torx T20 fixing – you'll need a specialised Torx tool. Again these can be bought on ebay. My pic shows the MFD partly removed with three screw holes and one still with the screw in place.
With all the screws out there's enough spare cable that the MFD can be removed from position and turned over. In the back the three white bulb holders can be see. They are a twist fit – remove them. You don't need to undo the connector. Ignore the cable on the right which is non-standard.
I made a mistake at ths point by not buying enough new bulbs in advance because I didn't know the fitting. The bulb should be pulled out of the white holder.
The naked bulb can be seen and is available from car spares shops. They are a 286 fitting and there are huge numbers on ebay once you know the right search term. I was surprised how expensive they are for small quantities – my local spares shop charged £1 each so I only bought a couple. I should have bought a set of them online. On ebay it's possible to find a set of 10 for example quite cheaply. There are also LEDs available instead of conventional bulbs which should last much longer making them a better buy. I'll buy these in future. The bulbs are pushed into the holder, then the holders twist fitted back into the white plastic MFD.
Re-assembly is then just a matter of screwing in the screw and clipping in the trim panels. Be sure to check that it all works before putting everything back – hoping you haven't bought a new faulty bulb.
