1987 260E instrument panel lights has gone out
 

Well, the lights on my speedo instrument panel has gone out. Drive in the dark and I have a hard time seeing what speed i am going. I seems that the lights on the roll-knob of the vents (roll to open bigger or small the vents that blows air) has also gone out. Could this be a common source? or just coincidence.

Probably common source. Check the fuse box, it has a chart of which fuse serves which circuit.

BTW, were you finally able to remove the wood console in your car? Were the pics helpful? Let me know.

Jiggle the trip meter reset button on your cluster. It is also the dimmer switch for those lights that are out.

There is a small fuse...
 

in the back of the instrument cluster. It looks like a light bulb but, it is red in color. However, I would check the dimmer first...