Outside Temp Gauge
 

'92 300SE. Temp gauge in cluster is hard to read. Odometer, trip meter very easy and it seems like the display is of a similar design as the temp gauge. Is there a backlight bulb that might be out?

Thanks!

Hello,

Yes there is a single bulb that back lights the Temp display. If it's out it should be rather obvious at night. However your numbers should still look crisp and not missing any pieces of the numbers during the day, if that is the case the LCD also has problems. But from what you described it sounds like your back lighting.

Just pull your cluster and you will see the bulb holder for the temp display.

Thanks - I'll pull cluster and replace bulb. Just want to avoid that task if there might be other causes.

I know what you mean. Right after I cracked the bezel on my W140 coupe cluster I asked myself if the light bulb was worth it! It's funny how some come right out and others fight you all the way.

I'd replace the other bulbs while you've got the cluster out, for the $5 in bulbs why not do it all at once and not have to worry about it for years.

OAT Display Light
 

I just replaced several bulbs in my instrument cluster but I could not readily see how to replace the very small bulb behind the OAT LCD display. The bulb appears to be in a socket behind the printed circuit board that most likely drives the display, but there is no obvious way to get to the bulb. Does anyone know how to get to that bulb to replace it?
I have a 93 500SEL and was lucky; the cluster came out using the proper tools easily. Just an fyi.
Thanks for any info out there. :)