Fiat ducato Interior Courtesy Light Bulb Change (1 Viewer)

[ES Cumbrian]

Trying to get a 12volt feed for my 2007 Autotrail Apace for a dash cam, how do you get into the courtesy light fitting I am hoping there is a live when ignition is on feed in there. Tried getting the cover off but it will not budge and do not want to damage anything.

 

[ES Cumbrian]

This is the light I can not get the lens cover off.

 

[ES Cumbrian]

Just read in the handbook it says cover will come off so its a bigger hammer then!

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[Lenny HB]

The courtesy light feed will be permanently live, easier to pop the stereo out and tap into the ignition switched feed to it.

 

[Camping Gaza]

See the two little slots at the top of the fitting? Small screwdriver and gently (I said gently) prise as if trying to open a paint tin. Just done it on mine. Be careful if yours dims or has automatic features as I do not know where the controller is located for the voltage control.

 

[ES Cumbrian]

Yes I could do that I was just trying to avoid running the cable around the screen and up to the top where I was going to fix the dash cam

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[ES Cumbrian]

See the two little slots at the top of the fitting? Small screwdriver and gently (I said gently) prise as if trying to open a paint tin. Just done it on mine. Be careful if yours dims or has automatic features as I do not know where the controller is located for the voltage control.

Have tried into that area but nothing seemed to move maybe more force needed

 

[ES Cumbrian]

If there is no ignition switched live I will have to run cable elsewhere,

The drop down tv screen has been removed on mine I wonder if there is an ignition live point in there?

 

[Camping Gaza]

use a jewellers screwdriver (flat) and do one bit by bit, this sits into the surround which is bolted to the inside so you will never move that, It should just pop out

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[pyro]

Suggestions:

a) Protect the surround and lens with some tape, in case of screwdriver slipping

b) Make sure the plastic is fairly warm, as it becomes brittle if cold. Hairdryer? Might make it easier

 

[Camping Gaza]

If all else fails... Angle grinder.

 

[Camping Gaza]

The drop down tv screen has been removed on mine I wonder if there is an ignition live point in there?

Probably off the hab supply if there is one

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[Bill_OR]

I've recently had my dashcam 'hard wired' by an auto-electrician. I suggested the courtesy light as a 12v source but he preferred to install a USB socket in the top box (the one where you can keep stuff cool) and to run the cable round the windscreen (behind the Remis blinds). He made a good job of it!

 

[ES Cumbrian]

I've recently had my dashcam 'hard wired' by an auto-electrician. I suggested the courtesy light as a 12v source but he preferred to install a USB socket in the top box (the one where you can keep stuff cool) and to run the cable round the windscreen (behind the Remis blinds). He made a good job of it!

Yes that might be thefinal plan if I can not find an ignition live near the top of the screen

 

[ES Cumbrian]

Got the light out it all came not just the lens, I found an unused 3 wire cable with a small connector red black and green but my meter is bust at the moment so can not test it I wonder if anyone knows what this wire was intended for and where it runs from?

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[pyro]

I suspect one is a switched supply (door sensors), one is a permanent supply and the other is earth (negative)

I wouldn't touch any of the wires without a multimeter attached

Might as well put in LED bulbs whilst it is apart

Let us know how it goes, I am going to do the same as yourself

 

[ES Cumbrian]

I suspect one is a switched supply (door sensors), one is a permanent supply and the other is earth (negative)

I wouldn't touch any of the wires without a multimeter attached

Might as well put in LED bulbs whilst it is apart

Let us know how it goes, I am going to do the same as yourself

The wire I found is not connected to the light it was just loose behind it

 

[pyro]

No answer without a meter on it. We had a reversing camera fitted, which clips over the rear view mirror, and the supply comes from the courtesy light. I presume there may be an accessory power supply there for auto dipping mirrors

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[Camping Gaza]

Led lights? Like that idea. This unit dims if I remember, on a timer. any suggestion on type of LED that could be fitted?

 

[pyro]

Led lights? Like that idea. This unit dims if I remember, on a timer. any suggestion on type of LED that could be fitted?

I know they do sell LED replacements for courtesy lights (e.g. http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/LED-Interior-Bulbs-and-Modules/) and I reckon that a lower current drain should allow a dashcam to operate safely

 

[rangi]

If all else fails... Angle grinder.

At last! a Funster after my own heart! Well done CG

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[Broadsman]

Yes I could do that I was just trying to avoid running the cable around the screen and up to the top where I was going to fix the dash cam

Did you have any success picking up a supply from the light? I am looking to do a similar thing.

Thanks

 

[tonyidle]

Did you have any success picking up a supply from the light? I am looking to do a similar thing.

Thanks

There will definitely be NO ignition switched supply to the interior light. Think about it: you can switch it on using its own switch whether the ignition is on or off; it comes on as soon as you open the vehicle door; some types stay on for a while after you leave the vehicle. There isn't any circumstance where its operation is affected by the operation of the ignition switch. I can't imagine why the OP thought there might be an ignition supply to it.

 

[ES Cumbrian]

Did you have any success picking up a supply from the light? I am looking to do a similar thing.

Thanks

No there was no ignition feed behind the light, I was hoping there might be one in the loom but nothing. I also decided that the camera was better down near the dash as the internal blinds gave no room at the top.

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[Molls-Phot]

I have this problem - the lights not working. The bulbs 'look' okay in that the thin wire seems intact. I believe the fuse is F32 in the engine bay. Had a quick look and it look super awkward to open the fuse box.

 

[Siming13]

I have this problem - the lights not working. The bulbs 'look' okay in that the thin wire seems intact. I believe the fuse is F32 in the engine bay. Had a quick look and it look super awkward to open the fuse box.

I have just finally removed the courtesy light & found my cable is cut ! Thinking about it the light stopped working after a windscreen was replaced a few months after buying it . I reckon the screen fitters cleaned around the screen with a sharp knife & sliced it. Just had its first fiat service today & the fitter mentioned it not working so thought I'd better have a look. Oh well soldering iron time......