Hi all,
We've had our Freelander for a few weeks now, but last night was the first time driving in pitch dark.

Although the instruments and outside world were bathed in light, the centre console beneath the CD player was unlit, meaning we couldn't identify the heater/blower controls. All 3 dials were dark.

This console (image borrowed from this site):


Should it be lit? Seems mad that it isn't lit, but there again, I can't beleive 3 bulbs would all blow? Could it be a fuse?

My 'Trusty' Haynes will be arriving soon, but in the interim, your site is proving most helpful . (next stop, EGR blanking mod!).

Help much appreciated.

yes all 3 does light up.if you look in the drivers side glove box and remoove the fuse box cover its printed on the back and tells you what fuse corresponds with what electircal circuit.

yep it should be and there are 3 tiny wedge bulbs in twist out holders on the back of it but its not an easy job to get to them....the whole centre dash has to come out so the you can get to the fixing screws for the heater unit to remove it enough to get to the back! I've got a bulb gone in mine and forgot to do it when i changed the head unit (doh!) nut i won't be rushing to change it.....

cheers guys. thought as much. already had the dash out once - one hour job.
any ideas which bulbs it uses.

no need to take dash out...pull all three knobs off and there are two phillips screws under them, this removes panel and exposes little pushin bulbs..not sure exactly what they are but you can do it in halfrauds carpark and take them in to match it up!

joe27979 said:

no need to take dash out...pull all three knobs off and there are two phillips screws under them, this removes panel and exposes little pushin bulbs..not sure exactly what they are but you can do it in halfrauds carpark and take them in to match it up!

Click to expand...

You sir, are a legend - I will put this information to good use tomorrow!
I have t5 and t10 wedge bulbs here so fingers crossed it's one of those...

joe27979 said:

no need to take dash out...pull all three knobs off and there are two phillips screws under them, this removes panel and exposes little pushin bulbs..not sure exactly what they are but you can do it in halfrauds carpark and take them in to match it up!

Click to expand...

woooaahhh...this is on the pre-facelift cars not the facelift ones

dang...
no probs. wil have the dash out this weekend (again!)
well rescued Markyzs180

So you still have to take the dash out for one small light bulb change on the facelift model?

I'll carry on using my torch then

Ah it's no biggy. 12 screws if i remember correctly.
Handbrake surround/storage compartment off, 2 screws at the sides of the dash out, top cover slides off dash revealing last two screws. They come out, slide dash forward and disconnect wiring. Nice and simples (you should try working on French cars....)

Replaced my bulbs last night (2004 facelift model), here's the procedure:

Open armrest cover and remove 4 screws holding cubby box to centre console
Remove arm rest/cubby box
Remove 2 screws holding centre console to floor at rear
Remove blanking plate below handbrake. Release catch is in the centre of front most edge!
Remove 2 screws below this cover
Disconnect plugs from switches in centre console and remove this part of the centre console

Remove torx screws either side of front part of centre console (just ahead of the gear lever) on the vertical side near to where it meets the carpet.
Slide forward the cover above the stereo at the very top of the centre console
Remove 2 screws now exposed
Carefully prise up the gear lever gater surround and disconnect plug from HDC switch if fitted.
Carefully slide centre console rearwards, unplug all switches and 12V socket wiring and remove centre console (feed gear lever surround through opening in console).
Remove 4 screws securing stereo (and coin tray depending on config). Either remove stereo and disconnect or just move it enough to allow access to heater screws.
Remove 4 screws holding heater controls

At this point you have 2 options
1) Access the rear of the unit and remove the bulb holders by twisting anti-clockwise (T510 style) and replace with new ones or merely replace the bulbs. The bulbs are wedge style 12V 1.2W and can be removed by pulling gently from holder (no twisting). replace with new ones and refit.

2) Remove the 3 heater control knobs by gently pulling/prising them off and locate the 5 clips that secure the facia (black printed part) from the control unit (white part) and gently prise the facia off. You can now see the three bulbs. Simply pull them out of their holders and replace with new ones.

For me, option 2 is much easier as one of the bulb holders is particularly difficult to get good access to.

Refit is the reverse order of these instructions

This was the procedure on my 2004 facelift Freelander manual. Autos may be slightly different!

Hope this helps!

That's great stuff Maggle, but....

Do you mean T5 or T10 (w5w)

The bulb is a T5 but the holder and bulb is a T510 (I think, maybe that's just Halfords code ;-) )

nice one Maggle, cheers

joe27979 said:

no need to take dash out...pull all three knobs off and there are two phillips screws under them, this removes panel and exposes little pushin bulbs..not sure exactly what they are but you can do it in halfrauds carpark and take them in to match it up!

Click to expand...

On the pre facelift Freelanders (ie before 2004) you only have to remove the three heater control knobs (carefully prize them off) and the two screws behind them and the heater control panel comes off easily. There are three small wedge type bulbs under the panel once you remove it. If you put the ignition and car lights, then the bulb(s) that has failed will be obvious. Turn off the lights and the ignition before removing the blown bulb. The bulbs pull straight out (carefully - do not twist). The replacements are the very small capless wedge type T5 12v 1.2w or Lucas: LLB286. Amazon sell them in packs of 10 for £2 - free uk delivery (November 2012).

Thanks for this.

Great write up Maggie