on my 1993 500SEL, I recently began losing lights, first on the tach side, and now on the gas gauge side. Needless to say, very cheesy for a car of this caliber...

is there an easy way to fix this? also, would it be possible to switch in a later model digital cluster? I'm not TOO worried about mileage readings as it is close to 170k on the clock anyway. If any one has any suggestions, please let me know.

Chris

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Chris Singh
1983 300D
1993 500SEL brilliant silver w/ AMG monoblock II 19"

http://benz.mp3car.com
http://stormworks.max3d.com

Factory replacements are Digital, like the 1994 & later cars. On the Analog inst clusters there are several companies that can FIX the Mother board in the cluster for $350-400. About 1/3 the price for a new cluster. OF course every model has it's own cluster so only one from 1992-1995 500SEL will work in your car!

DOC thanks for the reply. So you are saying that the actual board needs repair just to have illumination in the cluster? for lack of a better term, that kinda sucks.

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Chris Singh
1983 300D
1993 500SEL brilliant silver w/ AMG monoblock II 19"

http://benz.mp3car.com
http://stormworks.max3d.com

Those illumination bulbs are replaceable. I think that there are 4 or 5 that light up your whole cluster. The illumination for the outside temp. cannot be fixed by these simple means though (new cluster). It is cool that replacement clusters are now all digital.

Bill

Thanks for the tip...any hints on the procedure to replace the bulbs and where to get them? This is really bothering me...

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Chris Singh
1983 300D
1993 500SEL brilliant silver w/ AMG monoblock II 19"

http://benz.mp3car.com
http://stormworks.max3d.com

You are probably better off bringing it to the dealer. The 140 clusters are as tight as the 129s. The dash hooks required to remove them need to be bent at an additional angle to get a good grip on the housing.It is very easy to break the housing and lens trying to pry it out. Not to say that it cannot be done at home, but it can turn into more money than expected. The bulbs simply twist out of the back of the cluster. I would buy the bulbs from the dealer and replace them all while you're in there.Probably get charged an hours labor. Good Luck.

Bill

flipSyde,
I also had cluster problems with my '92 140
and had to pull it out to get it repaired. There is an easy way to do this. Pull up the black screen in the corner of the dash and w/s, then remove the two screws holding the top of the left vent in place. Remove the vent and some of the duct extensions behind it. NOW you can put your hand in and push the cluster from the rear and NOT use hooks to pull it out. Hence, no broken cluster. Reinstall in the reverse manner. Check your fuel level and you can drive the car while the cluster is out! Been there, done it!

Tobias MB
400E, C280Sport, 300CE, 190/5.0
92 300SE..sold the junker!

.........Perhaps this might be a good time to remind all us budding mechanics of the post on 29th Sept by Senior Member Aaron. Seems he cut a finger badly with broken glass from a brake lite bulb. Let's all be very careful with these bulbs, be they brake lite ones or the fiddly little ones in the instrument cluster !

Guys,

I was away for awhile after I sold my 300E, but this little thread reminds me of what a great site this is. Thanks for the help Tobias, now I'm left to one last question...are the cluster bulbs of a standard variety that I can get at the local parts store or do I have to call my dealer? Thanks again guys...



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Chris Singh
1983 300D
1993 500SEL brilliant silver w/ AMG monoblock II 19"

http://benz.mp3car.com
http://stormworks.max3d.com

ok, I got the cluster out without a hitch (or a hook ) thanks Tobias. About to go to the parts store to see if they have these curious little bulbs...I'm doubting it, but we'll see. So far so good...

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Chris Singh
1983 300D
1993 500SEL brilliant silver w/ AMG monoblock II 19"

http://benz.mp3car.com
http://stormworks.max3d.com

My 92 500SEL also has cluster problems. When using the turn signals or winshield wipers, the instrument lights all flick on and off (reset). My thought is this is a ground issue.
Do anyone think that this can be pulled, cleaned up, and put back or am I looking at a new cluster?
Joel

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Joel P. Davis
1992 500SEL 105K