Volvo 480 Club Europe

Hi again. So a few electrical issues with my new car that I can see. Firstly the light switch and the panel with the fogs and heated screen etc keeps flickering Instead of staying lit properly.

One side of the heating panel doesn’t light up so a bulb has gone. Question is what bulb will I need and how to I even get to it to change it?


Like I say sorry if I sound like a novice but it’s because I am. I would appreciate any advice possible.

The fog light switch slides out very easily, in the direction towards the side window. Once it is out, you will see the little bulb that illuminates both the fog light switch and rotary pop-up light switch.

Once you have access, hopefully you'll find the connection is poor or just needs crimped tighter or something like that. a big of wigglidge might do wonders!

As for the heater control panel (known as the VEM) there are two bulbs at the edges. I wont tell you how to remove the black dashboard surround here, there are posts on it on the forum. I will emphasise though that you must identify each and every screw before you start and know what switches/blanks must be removed first. If you get it right, access is easy. If you rush it, things will break. Once all the screws are out, you will find that removal requires no physical effort. Nothing needs forced!

The VEM is actually still a PITA to remove from the dashboard still once the black surround is off! From memory, if you are careful, you can push the little bulb holders backwards out of the VEM, replace the bulbs and slot them back in. If this isn't possible, you'll have to remove the VEM and strip it down slightly to access the bulbs. It isn't rocket science, but you wil need to be careful and methodical.

Getting the black dashboard surround off without breaking it is key. Be prepared to find out that some ham fisted fool has tried before and snapped or overtightened things though!
Gentrl gently!

Bulbs for the VEM, illumination of light switches are T5 or 286 1.2W wedge bulbs. Such as these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10x-Neolux-1 ... 1411511121

Good dashboard removal How To: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=14976

but don't bother doing the latter steps about removing the instrument pod if you only want to gain access to VEM