cluster/climate control/center console in the dark
 

1987 300td w124
The cluster, climate control and center console lights all went out, tried with several new fuses, now i am wandering if theres a relay somewhere.
Any help would be appreciated
thanks
Ep

More likely the rheostat on the cluster. Fiddle with the knob and see if it comes back on, if not, make a jumper.

that alone can make everything dark?
how do i jump it?
This instrument cluster is super hard to remove.

There is an electronic relay that powers the console lights but if the cluster is also out then it is either a fuse (#3) or the rheostat. When checking fuses, make sure you actually take the fuse out of the holder and look it over. Fuses sometimes have hairline cracks that you cannot see until you actually handle the fuse. Also make sure the ends of the fuse and the holder are clean and shiny.

The cluster is only difficult to pull the first time, when the rubber pads tend to stick. I made pullers from clothes hanger wire but there's a nice set of tools you can buy from Harbor Freight (their #97901) for about $10. It has pullers for the cluster, radio, etc.

Remember to remove the speedo cable from the clip at the base of the steering column so there's an inch or two of clearance for you to get your hand in behind the cluster after the cluster starts to come out. Unscrew the speedo cable from the back of the speedo and then the cluster will come out farther so you can get the wires unplugged. The FSM says you have to undo the cable from the transmission but this is unnecessary.

With the cluster out, you can remove the rheostat and clean, replace, or bypass it. There are lots of threads in this forum on that subject.

Jeremy