How to install a boot light in a Fiat Panda

This panda of mine is strange, for some reason it doesn't have a boot light, another cost saving measure from Fiat I guess. Luckily most Pandas come with everything installed for the boot light except the light itself.

The photo below shows the whole in the left hand side of the boot under the parcel shelf (2). You will have the mounting but no light fitting. The two cross head screws (1) and a hole for black plastic clip (3).
 

(Cam C902)

Firstly you need to gain access to the wiring, begin by removing the two cross head screws (1) in the picture.

After the screws are out pull the top of the carpet away from behind the plastic shelf fittings and from the rubber seal around the door frame.

 

Locate the wire with the white plug from behind the carpet. As in my picture it will most likely be taped to the bigger bundle of wires, if so remove the tape.

You can then feed the plug, the black plastic clip and the wire thorough the prepared crosshair cut in the carpet. The picture below shows the plug, wire and clip correctly inserted through the carpet.

Make sure the black plastic clip can reach its hole in the shelf fitting (marked as (3) in the first picture), then slide the carpet back into place behind the plastic fittings and fix into place with the screws.

Pass the wire through the light mounting hole (2) and then connect the light which should, in theory illuminate. Remember that the boot light times out after a certain length of time, so don't panic! Closing and re-opening the boot should activate the light.

The light fitting slides up into the mounting and will then snap in to place. The black plastic clip that supports the wire pushes, from behind the bracket, into the hole (3).

The last job to be done is to put the carpet back behind the rubber boot seal.

 

The light fitting is Fiat part number 0051878127

The door switch to turn the light on and off should already installed. BUT...do check!

Do make sure your car has the appropriate boot latch incorporating the microswitch for detecting open/closed condition or you will be disappointed. I have read that some models don't have the appropriate boot latch.

I don't know how you tell, but thinking out loud here...I would expect the 'door open' dashboard light to be an indicator that you have the appropriate boot latch. For example, with the engine on, all four doors closed and the boot open making a red 'door open' dashboard light appear, I assume this means I have the appropriate boot latch incorporating microswitch for detecting open/closed condition. That's the test I did before buying the part.

Good luck

Installing a 12v power socket in a Fiat Panda

I’ve just been getting a 2009 Fiat Panda 1.3 Multijet.  For some strange reason it doesn’t have a 12v socket for the likes of my sat nav or ipod.  Doing some reading on the Fiat forum it appears that this is not an unusual occurrence, and doesn’t necessarily follow any model / spec detail??

 

This is where the 12v socket should be in the Panda (Cam C902)

Very strange? Why Fiat would leave out a £20 fitting that seems to be standard in all cars is any ones guess, welcome to the world of Fiat I suppose.

Anyway, after lots of reading on various Fiat forums two things were clear to me; if the wiring loom had a connector under the central console for a 12v socket, AND you had a fuse sitting in position F85 then I think it’s safe to say that your only missing the 12v socket fitting. 

PLEASE NOTE - Some owners have reported having either the connector or the fuse, but not both and in these circumstances any upgrade didn't work!  Therefore please check before buying any parts.

A quick check showed I had both, phew!

In short…. If you have one of these….

And one of these…See the highlighted fuse in position F85 (Fuse box in the engine compartment )

Then you only need this…..

Fitting Instructions
Ok, here’s your fitting instructions, you need two small flatbed screwdrivers and less than half an hour of your time.

Fitting is quite simple, pop out the tray in the central console with some flat blade screwdrivers.

Fit the orange casing through the new console trim making sure you align the cap to the right orientation.

Fit the 12v socket through the orange casing (it will only go in one way)

 

Connect the wiring loom connector to the socket and test with a suitable appliance (sat nav).  Remember the socket only has power while the ignition is switch on.

 

Once you have confirmed power is getting to the socket switch off and snap the trim in to place.

Job done.

Original part number for the trim 0735441990
Original part number for the 12v socket 0735383175

I got my parts from ebay, but any parts department should be able to get them.

Good luck.