I've got a low mileage(96K) 1985 300D that will sometimes shake after stopping and idling. This problem is intermittent and sometimes stops after a couple of seconds, sometimes not until I accelerate again. My mechanic did some adjustment to the fuel delivery after performing a major service but the problem is still there. Any ideas? I guess it's possible further adjustment is possible, but what should I have checked?

p.s. How do I change the instrument cluster lights, they seem very dim....thx!

instrument cluster lights
 

You need to pop out the instrument cluster from the dash and then you will see the bulbs that need to be replaced. Are you sure that you just don't have the potentiometer turned down? (sometimes it's the little things we overlook)

:D

Hi, thanks but I did check that.. How do I pull the cluster out?

Go to http://www.hsb.baylor.edu/easley/autofags/clock.edu for a good explanation of making a tool and pulling the panel. This is a good general resource site, very worthwhile bookmarking.

I would check the following
 

a) engine shocks
b) motor/tranny mounts
c) check valve adjustment
d) timing chain tension
e) injection timing check

Mine shook pretty bad and I found that the drivers side motor mount was trash. I have changed all mounts and the shock and it helped alot. Also performed the valve adj. and will be replacing the timing chain soon. This is all in the '85 300D.
Jim
'85 300D
'95 E320
'97 CRV

Rack damper screw out of adjustment also causes shaking during idle. Did your mechanic adjust that screw?

David

Ron Johnson, the link you left doesn't exist but sounds like a good site. Has it moved? Does anyone know how to remove that instrument cluster painlessly?? Thanks for the idle advice!

Sorry, try this one, which will definitely work, then go down the list to the article about fixing the clock.

http://hsb.baylor.edu/html/easley/autofaqs/main.htm

I just bought a 1984 300D Turbodiesel back in Feb. My dash lights were so dim, I couldnt see my speed if a car was coming at me from the other direction with it's lights on! Although yours is probably not broken like mine, I noticed that the clear plastic panel that covers the cluster comes off (I think originally they were glued to the cluster housing). I noticed that the dash lights are actually bulbs that plug in the back side of the cluster but they don't provide "back lighting" instead, they somehow transmit the light up these clear plastic pieces that then have angled clear plastic faces on them that reflect back to the face of the instruments. I replaced the bulbs but also cleaned the clear plastic as the dust that somehow accumulated in there over the last 16 years had really dimmed the reflective light.
Hope this helps.

John
1984 300D Turbodiesel
173,500 miles

Painless removal
 

Greetings ML DUDE,

To remove your dash cluster without constructing a tool, simply remove the kick panel, probably four screws in your case, and push the cluster out from behind. If you totally want to remove the cluster don't forget to unscrew the speedo cable, unplug the dash harness and speedo electronics plug as well as the oil pressure brass fitting from the rear of it's gauge. The dash lights are probably emitting from the bulb of two sockets through a fiber optic plastic to the dash. Indirect lighting I think they call it. Check the bulbs for the proper size, Parts shop has them otherwise. Clean the output lense of the fiber light end and you should be back to normal lighting. Got to remember that Benz lighting is what they call natural, and not the green hue that is easy to adapt to after getting hit with someones brights, it's the same hue of light, so it maybe hard to readjust your eyes to see the same color. just something else to get use to on these older Benz's.

Hope this helps, Been there and have already done this one.


Charles

Instrument Lights
 

I've had both the problems you're dealing with. The cluster comes out a couple of inches very easily after the under dash panel is removed. But to see what you're doing the speedo and maybe the oil line, that's right oil line, need to be taken off. If you need to disconnect the oil line (yes it has oil in it) do it at the other end where an oil drop won't be noticed. When you replace your bulbs there are three types, one large and two small. Two of them appear to be interchangeable but aren't. One small bulb type comes with its own socket the other doesn't.

My engine shake was solved by new motor mounts.