Hi everyone.

[GreenSL]

I have purchased a 1991 SL500. It is in the shop getting a few cosmetics taken care of, ( not to imply this is a concourse car, it isn't even close. Dealer is having a cracked bumper repaired as part of purchase negotiation.) so I have only gotten to do the test drive on it. One weird thing about it: When I put the turn signals on, the warning lights across the bottom of the dash flashed, the gauges jumped, then everything went to normal. What is this? How is it fixed? Is it a normal problem?

I just got done using the search feature, but didn't get a return on what I was putting in, so I figure I'd ask straight out.

[tecqboy]

This is not an unusual failure. There is a bad capacitor in the voltage regulator circuit on the back side of the instrument cluster. Part costs about $1 at Radio Shack. Problem is that you need to remove the cluster to get to the bad part. The procedure has been written up several times in the forum, so do a search for more details.

[GreenSL]

Thanks. Found these two threads:

'94 SL500 instrument panel gone nuts

500SL instrument cluster blinking

[tecqboy]

The instrument cluster is held in place by friction ( no screws ). Before you remove it, lower the steering wheel down and away from the dash as far as it will travel. Go in the trunk and disconnect the negative battery cable. Run a credit card along the outside perimeter of the cluster to break the friction with the cowl. Remove the knee bolster below the steering wheel. Reach up behind the cluster and gently push / wiggle it out. There are no wires or cables to disconnect as all connections are on self aligning pin plugs. The MB dealer service shop has a special set of tools to remove the cluster from the front, but these must be used skillfully to avoid cracking or scratching the plastic face. Once you have it out, follow the instructions in the other threads to replace the capacitor. Use a solder sucker or solder wick ( radio shack ) and low wattage solder pencil to remove the old cap and be sure to watch polarity. If you are uncomfortable with this level of repair, go to a pro.

[GreenSL]

Thanks. Read all that last night. Definately something I will be taking to someone else once removed. I have never soldered anything before, and this ain't the time for trial and error in my book!