Brightening your dash backlighting:
So the dash in your Mercedes is getting awful dim, what can you do!? Well there are a few different solutions, some of which are much better than others. The stock light bulbs are 3W (watts) each, some people like to put 5W bulbs in their place to brighten the dash. I do not recommend this route as it can create so much heat that things begin to melt. Remember you can solder with a 15W iron, so 2 5W bulbs put out a noticeable amount of heat. Another thing you could do is put a jumper on the rheostat (or potentiometer, fancy word for dimmer switch), but that really isn't fixing the problem. Yet another option is to convert the lights to LEDs, that way they'd both run cool and put out a good deal of light. The last option is probably the easiest, clean the prisms out! Basically over time the prisms which the lights reflect in get a little dirty, as well as the bulbs. Using some rubbing alcohol and Q-tips this can all be cleaned off. Some people also paint their prisms white or a chrome-like color to enhance the lighting even further, but cleaning alone can make a substantial difference in the light output.

As a side note I created this page as the first one, but have not yet added pictures. For uninstallation tips check out my page on how to repaint gauge needles.

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Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k

I agree L E D

I use them everywhere! After installing the GREEN sony head unit I was disgusted at all of the mismaching lights...

I tore open every switch and installed a LED (or two; ANT.)

I tore open my heat control and made a new underlay.

I lit up the IP with Green

Now the whole Interior control is in Green, well except the headlamp switch - but I am thinking about it, some how.

Jake