Some console buttons don't light up now
 

Hey everyone,
I was driving tonight and noticed that the upper row of buttons on the center console (the antenna, rear dome light, defroster and sunroof buttons) along with the fan speed buttons no longer light up at night when I turn the headlights on. It probably isn't any kind of bulb though because the defroster light goes on when I turn the defroster on.

Does anyone know what might be going on? Also, the cruise control no longer works. Any connection? It's not super critical that I fix these problems because I know where all the buttons are and what they do but it makes my console look kind of funny at night. Thanks for the help!

Alex

I've actually run into a similar problem. I just tore my dash apart to get the Becker radio out, and ever since I pulled the radio out, the upper center console stuff (rear light, antenna, etc) doesn't light up. However, like you, the Defrost light lights up. Also, all of the ACC push button lights that worked before work now (I'm pretty sure I have a dead bulb, though, so I wanna replace that; I pulled the ACC part apart as well, so the push buttons are just sitting there right now). There is what appears to be a light bulb socket behind the ACC buttons; it has the same series of wires that run to the ACC light bulbs, but doesn't appear to be lit...even though it's facing backwards, I wonder if it could be fiber-optic'ed up to the switches above the ACC stuff?

So I'd like to know as well. :) Also, where can we find replacements for the light bulbs? And what's the best way to go about pulling the bulb sockets out of their holders (i.e. in the ACC) without breaking the ears? Someone did that with the light that lights up the temp wheel on mine, unfortunately...I don't want to make that mistake myself...

the upper row of lights is a fibre optic deal - you have to trace the tubes back down to a bulb and replace if nec. i just jiggled 'em about a little and they worked. be really careful pulling that top panel as the wood will crack easily. found it easier if you pull out the acc unit first.

The bulb for the fiber optic lines attaches to the blower case behind the radio area. It's a disc about the size of a quarter, I believe it will be white plastic, and the fiber optic lines will come off of it on the sides. The bulb plugs into the center.

Gilly

I am just in the middle of a heating problem with my W123. The console lights have all failed over the years. I was studying the setup there and remembered what an electric tech told me years ago. "If there are things you don't understand, check the ground first". So I ran an ohmmeter on those ground wires that go into each of the bulbs. None of them were working. I located the ground conection back in there and tightened that screw and now they all light up. On this one the ground wires are all small black wires with bare metal points at the ends. Just check a few of those. Maybe....

I replaced my dead lamps with LEDS. I soldered a 470 ohm 1/4 watt resistor in series with each LED and simply pushed the leads in to the old lamp sockets. I used a white LED for the Temp wheel illumination and blue for the AC indicator. I used a yellow LED for the Off indicator. They draw about 20 mA each and will last forever. When I go to pull the instrument cluster out I will probably replace the lamps with Hi intensity yellow or white LEDS. Hope this helps
Russ