Dear Diesel Demons:

I picked up a replacement cluster (mine's got a speedo with a dead odomoter and is desperate need of "reconditioning") for my recently-resurrected (see The Dream is Over: Should I rebuild her? for the full story) 1983 300D and I need some advice on:

1) Paint for the gauge needles. Was the original color a fluorescent orange or...? I picked up some fluorescent paint but it's red (looks orange to me) and I wonder if this will look strange. Someone on this board suggested Testor's #1127 Orange but it's not fluorescent. Am I making WAY too much of this?

2) Has anyone used the new Eurolite 194 LED bulb in their cluster? Any feedback?

3) Any suggestions on bench-checking various components in the cluster to confirm function BEFORE I install it in the dash?

I also bought a replacement cruise control amp and was wondering if anyone knows of a source for the correct replacement Bosch brake bulbs. Apparently, I'm not supposed to just pop a standard 1194 bulb in there, eh?

Finally, anyone know what would cause one of my turn signals to blink faster than another? Would this be along the same line as the brake light bulb issue? It's possible the guys who repaired my car used the wrong bulb in the right front signal...

All best,

Diesel Fitter