MkIII Astra Heating controls - lights

Right, I know that from my last post that at least 10 people are reading
this, so no excuses!! )

After my success with fixing the clock display, this Saturday, I decided to
have a go at the other minor niggle with my car at the moment, namely the
fact that none of the lights in the heater controls work any more...

So, I took the steering shroud off, the dashboard facia, the two central air
vents(just pulled out)
Removed the two screws behind the air vents, the two at the bottom of the
panel (above the ashtray) and a couple that were behind the steering
shroud/dashboard facia... oh, and the two that hold the clock display in
place.
The whole panel then seemed to pull forward, but only a couple of inches,
and not nearly enough to get at the bulbs... (AFAICS)
It seemed to still have a large lump attached to the back of it (namely all
the heating controls etc.). Is that right, or is there a way of detaching
the front panel from the rest, and hence getting at the bulbs?? Or am i
going about this all wrong????

To put it another way, please could someone give me a brief idea of what the
easiest way to get at the bulbs is? I need to change them all, including the
one that comes on when the rear-screen demister is turned on...

Just to remind you, this is a MkIII Astra (1.6 Petrol, hatchback) - R-reg.

Thanks,

Chris.

 

Don't own a MK3, but does this help any? There's a Hayne's picture scan in
there.

http://tinyurl.com/cmvk96

 

This is all from memory and I haven't done some for years but here goes
- take the 2 outside knobs off - they pull off. The heated rear window/fan
switch has a small hole under it - poke something up the hole, cocktail
sticks work well, to release the knob. Then there are 2 catches either side
of the switch that you squeeze in as you pull and the switch comes out.
Next undo the 2 cross head screws at the bottom. Now for the good bit - pull
the front panel out as far as you can and wedge it - the white part will
stay where it is. The black part comes away just far enough to pull the
small capless bulbs out with a pair of long nosed pliers - there are 2 bulbs
and one in a separate holder for the fan switch. Getting the bulbs back in
is a bit tricky but it can be done - used to take me about 15 mins all in.
I also seem to think that there were 2 different types and that the bulb
holders were 2 separate ones on one type or 1 solid one on another - either
way the basic idea works. It is a bit rough but I never broke a panel and I
must have done over 50 cars.
Hope this helps.

 

In message ,

Thanks for the replies. Will have a go when I have a bit of time (and it's a
bit warmer!!)

Cheers!