Intermittent lights on the heating controls 111s

[nick_j007]

Title says it really.

Just before Christmas I had the heating fixed in the Elise by Paul Matty's, and all was good.

I noticed recently that there was no illumination around the three dials and for some reason I presumed it was always like this! Then last night when out for a (he-hem) drive all the dials were nicely lit up. I obviously have an intermittent fault there...but where should I begin to look to correct it. I am hoping it's relatively straightforward?

Many thanks.

Nick

[nsm3]

I had a similar thing on my 06 Exige, but the lights failed completely - the illumination panel had to be replaced.

The fact that yours still works, may indicate a loose connection? - I would take it back to Paul Matty, as they may have dislodged the connectors - in my experience they are very reasonable, so you shouldn't get any hassle from them?

[nick_j007]

Thanks, it's 40 minutes there and then back and all that pfaff.

I might wash it down today and have a look behind myself. I did have that control panel off before, so should be ok.

Nick

[Eat it up]

I would suspect that your problem would lie with the heater control panel circuit board.
There is a ribbon.(look's like a printer cable), try gently wriggling this as often this get's trapped/twisted.
Ultimately though i would be replacing the heater control panel circuit board.

[michaeldale00]

Where is the heater control pannel ribbon located? Do you have to take the heatercontrols out first? I've exactly the same problem and posted a seperate thing only minutes ago before seeing this! Doh

Edited by michaeldale00 on Wednesday 3rd February 19:13

[michaeldale00]

Where is the heater control pannel ribbon located? Do you have to take the heatercontrols out first? I've exactly the same problem and posted a seperate thing only minutes ago before seeing this! Doh

Edited by michaeldale00 on Wednesday 3rd February 19:23

[Dift]

I have the same problem/quirk (not of the Pauline type).

I've just kinda lived with it, although if it's a case of wiggling a wire I think I could manage that

[nick_j007]

Haha, everyone rises to the challenge of wire wriggling...we can do that right?!

Rather weired I have to say that everyone (well a few anyway) has the same problem!

Due to time (and the bloody cold) I have yet to look at mine yet.

Cheers guys.

[AllNines]

I just assumed that there was no illumination there! Damn you all, now I'm going to have to give it a wiggle myself...

[nick_j007]

Bloody hell...we must be up to 10 by now?!

[Mr Darcy]

When some of my dash board lights go out my rear lights go out as well. Have you checked this? To be honest it only does it when its really cold outside.

[nick_j007]

Mr Darcy said:

When some of my dash board lights go out my rear lights go out as well. Have you checked this? To be honest it only does it when its really cold outside.

No never noticed that, but I might have missed it!

Will look some time soon.

[michaeldale00]

I've had a go, took all the cowling off to get the worlds smallest screwdriver into the gap between the 2 centre heating vents and steering wheel. After a bit of swearing I managed to get in behind and wiggled and pressed every wire and
connector but it doesn't seem to have worked!?! It seemed wired in my case that the lights only came
on after the battery was really low then a few seconds later they went out again. In the very centre of the circuit board inside was a brass looking square of metal which looked rusty. Anyway for what it may or may not be worth the circuit board had a sticker with the following on: 03 Pacel rhd heater 013073 12/11 

[michaeldale00]

I've had a go, took all the cowling off to get the worlds smallest screwdriver into the gap between the 2 centre heating vents and steering wheel. After a bit of swearing I managed to get in behind and wiggled and pressed every wire and
connector but it doesn't seem to have worked!?! It seemed wired in my case that the lights only came
on after the battery was really low then a few seconds later they went out again. In the very centre of the circuit board inside was a brass looking square of metal which looked rusty. Anyway for what it may or may not be worth the circuit board had a sticker with the following on: 03 Pacel rhd heater 013073 12/11 

[nick_j007]

Hmmm, I'm no electronics guru so I'm no help there sorry. If it looked rusty or 'past it' however, I would replace the offending part.

Have you googled that code?

[michaeldale00]

I have googled however this brought up nothing of note. I've looked for the pacel website however it appears they have ceased to exist and there is a link to another company but no real info on these types of units. I've also received an email back from bell and covill who are quoting about £97 for non a/c cars and £198 for those fortunate/unfortunate to have a/c. When starting the car yesterday the lights came on and basically went from dim upto very bright before going out. They then flashed on a couple of times in the journey before going out again. It's frustratingas they clearly will work but something isn't right! I'm half tempted to go onto the online breakers companies to enquire about getting a used one but it's potentially such a delicate part that it'll be broken and a waste of money, just 100+ quid seems a bit steep especially given the fact Im going to need some respray as the winter has not been kind to the paint on the drivers door...hmmm

[nick_j007]

local service agent would look at that and assess it for me prior to doing the work. Might be easier to pay for 30 mins work and get an estimate at least you know where you are with it?