Could someone please tell me how to get to the single light bulb which lights up the fiber optic cables for the upper center console and the environmental controls on the center panel. Also has anyone ever soldered a bridge across the dimmer light potentiometer switch and completely do away the potentiometer switch on the instrument console. One other question, does the dimmer switch also control the center console lights. Thanks, Jeff

[Edited by cainja on 02-01-2001 at 10:26 PM]

This ought to help.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/13260-climate-control-lights-1982-300d.html

Yes the dimmer switch will affect the center console lights.

-Larry

Mine too
 

I was working on mine this afternoon. It's not difficult with the exception of pushing the light into the octopus. I needed either smaller hands or longer fingers. In the category of things not to do - don't explore inside the rocker switches. Some have balls in them which shoot out upon disassembly and take some time to reassemble properly. Another detail - the screws that hold the climate control panel in place are in the upper corners. You don't need to touch the other three. Lift the panel upwards and the clips at the bottom will release. I replaced the octopus light bulb but the real problem was dirt on the outside of the old bulb. If you fix in the daylight you have to put a tarp over the car to see your success.

Success at last
 

The finale story, after having removed the instrument console, center top and middle consoles and the shifter console I have fixed my interior lighting problems. It might be easier if I just list my findings.
1. Tested all light bulbs, and change ones that looked dark, black or burnt and with no continuity. Changed out 14 bulbs.
2. Traced each wire and circuit back to power beginning, no 12 volts anywhere, as per electrical schematics had 12 volts to the main light switch but no juice from there to cannon plug on the back of the instrument console.
3. Tested instrument console dimmer for operation, check good.
4. Disassembled the back of the instrument console which consisted of 3 different pieces. I found that I had two broken ground solder joints. I re-solderd the ground points, cleaned the inside of the console ( to make it look pretty )and then re-assembled.
5. Removed the main light switch from the dash and check for 12 volts at point K as per wiring schematics, found an open short, after closer inspection I found a cut wire going to point B58 on the switch. Fixed cut wire, and finally had 12 volts a the cannon plug which connects to the instrument console and provides 12 volts the the dimmer switch and all interior lights.

1 week of nighttime fun or about 5 hours of learning, has fixed my problem. Total cost, $7.50 pretty good deal for an 18 year old car and its light bulbs.

Photo's may help someone else
 

I am following up on my own post. I felt that maybe some one else might have the need for a visual reference to some of what has been writen about. Hope it helps.
http://www.jeffcain.com/mercedes_benz.htm
If anyone thinks its to much or to little or completely wrong please notify me.