Interior Glovebox Light - 159

[Potsie]

I'm a little peed off at the moment by a very small thing. I got the 159 serviced a couple of weeks ago (and yes, I did the wrong thing and had it done by a non-alfa specialist. Actually it was a service that was donated by the mechanic that I was top bidder for at a 'charity' auction for the local footy club. All I wanted him to do was change the oil, the air filter and the cabin air filter - I supplied all the bits - what can go wrong?, but I digress).

Noticed a couple of days ago that the light inside the glovebox wasn't working. Got around to having a look at it tonight. From a bit of googling and looking at a UK forum, found that sometimes when the cabin air filter is changed it is easy to knock the connector to the glovebox light toggle switch off as the filter is tight in behind the glovebox. (My lack of knowledge is so great I didn't even know that's where the filter was located). OK no worries, pop it open and have a look.

Did that, switch and connectors looked fine. Hmm.. maybe coincidentally the light bulb blew around the same time as the service. Pulled down the light cover and guess what .. NO BULB AT ALL!!  *delete expletives said at this point* The mongrel has taken me bloody light bulb!

So, my question is - anyone know what type of bulb I need ? and where would I find one ?

thanks,  Potsie

[colcol]

Potsie, how are you?, have a look in your owners manual, if you have one, my 156 manual has a list of globes, so the 159 manual should be the same, or download one.
Or go to the 159 ebay site and type in 159 glovebox light and you might get a result.
What sort of connector is it?, if it has 2 metal prongs, 180 degrees to each other, then its a festoon globe, just measure the distance between the 2 prongs and get a festoon globe that will fit.
Have a look on the internet at the Narva globe catalogue and you might find something there, i looked at a Narva book at Repco and found a globe there for the 156.
Even give Italian Automotive Spares a call and see what they can come up with.
Thats it, i am out of idea's, Colin.

[Cool Jesus]

Did you ask the mechanic about the globe? He may have just completely forgotten to replace or reinstall ît?
Alfa mechs are preferred amongst forum elite, but as one poster posted once, any mech worth their salt should have no issue with Alfas. We don't have secret technologies, but if they shrug their shoulders and blame the marque it's time to find a fair dinkum mechanic who knows their trade. Hell, even we can find a answers on the web, is there a sacred oath that mechanics shall not use the web for fear of defeat?

[Domenic]

Thanks Col,

We do have globes for the Alfa's and Fiat's even the special offset park globes for the 156's.

Potsie, if you're not too far form Brunswick East, swing past and we can pop a new one in for ya.

Cheers
Domenic

[Potsie]

Col,CJ, Dom

Thanks for the replies. Its not a real big issue, and I will go and see the mechanic on my way home tonight - as yes, its clear it was just an oversight on their part.

I only wrote the post cos I was really grumpy at the time as I'd had a sh*tty day and wanted to vent.

I have worked out that the bulb in question is a W5W - 5watts; and I imagine they would be readily available if the mechanic cant find what he's done with it.

Potsie

[Potsie]

Nah, changed me mind. Went down to repco and outlayed $3.85 for 2 replacement bulbs so some poor apprentice doesn't get in the poo with his boss. Sorted. Potsie.

[kaleuclint]

...any mech worth their salt should have no issue with Alfas.

Can't agree with that, CJ.  As in this instance -- an Alfa mech probably wouldn't fall for that trap for young players -- forgetting to replace a bulb.  I hate to think what the local Ultr@tune would forget to replace.  Specialist or dealer service every time.  They know what to look out for.  They won't break bits.  They'll have alternative ideas, and they'll know what works.

By the way, my wife won a prize in the local school raffle.  Photography.  Yes, we saved the sitting fee; just got hit up $00s for the final product.  Didn't feel like a winner...

[Cool Jesus]

Could start off a great debate here clint. How does ultratune equate to a mechanic worth their salt? Dealership! Chrysler/gmh have the privilege of servicing Alfas up here, and I wouldn't even drive past their front door in my Alfas. I occasionally pop in for a laugh at the shat feela bogan, with purple hair highlights who scoffs at my Alfa ownership at the suttons holden spares at homebush, who has no business being at the spares counter. But I do take your point and agree that an Alfa specialist is preferable, however not all Alfisti are fortunate enough to have one easily accessible. But, anyway, there will always be a new post from someone seeking a mechanic.

Hope you gave that photo studio a piece of your mind, what a jip.

[kaleuclint]

Fair call CJ, but if "worth their salt" in regard to Alfa expertise is the measure, I suspect that equates to Alfa specialist pretty much anyway, so we probably mean the same thing.  My local Alfa dealer service is full of Jeeps.  Puts me right off.

Having said that, my (under warranty) Mercedes I trust completely and happily to a non-Benz mechanic requiring me to travel a long way across town.  However, he's a very highly regarded Alfa specialist and his wife drives the same model Mercedes...

[colcol]

All this talk about glove box lights made me wonder why the 156 hasn't got one, as fumbling around in the dark looking for GPS makes me wish it had, cleaned out glove box and noticed that it has one.
Doesn't work, so checked fuse, globes, wiring and switch to discover that it only works when the ignition is switched on, would prefer that it works when you open the glove box like some others do, Colin.

[Neil Choi]

Mmmm, Colin, perhaps like modern technology of cars, the glove box light is now linked to ignition to avoid the flattening of the battery if the light is left on due to the glove box door being or coming ajarred overnight or whatever reason but I am sure you know this already.  Only guessing.   Anyway, who keeps gloves in that so called glove box.  In mine, there is paracetamol, flashlight, Not the service book as it doesn't fit, a compact screwdriver set, a pen, notepad, receipts of all sorts, socks, pantyhose, sunglasses and some change.  In fact, the Alfetta don't have an internal light, does the 33 have one?

[Joe Garra]

Hmm, Pantyhose??? Something you would like to share Neil? :-)

[colcol]

The 33 has a slide out glovebox, so its lit by the interior light, no glovebox lights back in the early 80's.
In the 156 only keep GPS in it, not enough room for anything else, Colin.

[kaleuclint]

Hmm, Pantyhose??? Something you would like to share Neil? :-)

Black Levante Veltissima stay ups in mine, Joe.  Two reasons.

1.  When your missus (or mistress) snags hers, to the rescue!  And how thoughtful you appear.

2.  And when that happens, she'll be wearing something you like...

[obersturm]

Hmm, Pantyhose??? Something you would like to share Neil? :-)

How is your German?




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