Volkswagen Repair: VW Polo 2000 (W Reg) heater control lights, vw polo 2000, vw dealer

Question
Hi there,

I bought a Polo (2000 model) about a month ago now and one thing I didnt notice at the time of purchase is that the heater controls do not light up at all. The rest of my dash does and the light in the ashtray also does, so I presume its the bulb rather than the fuse that has blown.

DO you know how I can replace the bulb myself and also where I might be able to buy one of these bulbs? I live in the UK by the way

Many thanks

Answer
Hi Craig;
You can get the bulb at the dealer.  They aren't too much money.  Use a small piece of vacuum hose to get it in, and out.  Be very careful when you remove the controll knob.  Know exactly where it was when you removed it, and make sure it gets back to the same place.  Otherwise, if that breaks on reassembly, after bulb replacement, you'll need to buy a whole new controller.  That will not be easy to replace!  These bulbs burn up often, and are a routine repair.  The vacuum hose that works best is the cloth covered stuff, they sell at the VW dealer, too, just get a foot of it, when you get the bulb.  Little bitty thing.  Don't lose it on the way back home.  Take a small plastic bag, or an envelope to carry it in.  Make a crude drawing of the control position when taking the control out.  Just pull...straight out.  Replace the bulb, and push straight in.  Good luck...and say Howdy, to the Queen, the next time you see her.