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95 E320 Sedan

Driving the other night, headlights on, when all instrumentation lights controlled by the dash dimmer went out. Dash lights, vent knob lights, heater controls lights, seat heater switch lights, window switch lights, headlamp switch lighting, emergency flasher switch illumination, and radio illumination.

Checked all fuses good. All other lights in the vehicle continue to work including interior dome lights, headlamps and parking lights front and rear, etc. All warning lights in the instrument cluster work fine.

Is there a fuse or control module connected to that dimmer control that I need to check.

Regards



Thanks

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Tom Latos
2002 E320
1995 E320 Sold at 288kmiles

Thanks for this input.

Pulled fuse 9. Visual ok, verified with ohmmeter ok too. Re-installed and reset radio code. Instrumentation lights still out.

There are numerous posts discussing a failed dimmer pot. There is one post claiming that there are fuses installed in the W124 dash assembly. Are there fuses in the dash?

If it is the dimmer pot, can you purchase a replacement?

Off to work with my flashlight!

Thanks again.

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Tom Latos
2002 E320
1995 E320 Sold at 288kmiles

Here's a picture of the rear of an early model ('90) W124 instrument cluster showing the fuse. I suspect that this fuse powers the lamps in the centre console area and not in the cluster itself.




Blown fuse - You don't want to know how much the stealership charges for a new one. I repaired this one with fuse wire.

Yes, there is a fuse that Ivanerrol pointed out. P/N 201-546-00-25 (about $5)

Yes, potentiometer is replaceable. P/N 000-542-38-25 (about $25).

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1988 California version 260E (W124)
Anthracite Grey/Palomino
Owned since new and still going strong and smooth
MBCA member

Past Mercedes-Benz:
1986 190E Baby Benz
1967 230 Inherited from mom when she downsized
1959 220S Introduced me to the joys of keepin' 'em goin'

There are only 10 kinds of people in the world--those who understand binary and those who don't

That red fuse is not used on '93 and up models.


I do see it on the earlier 124s schematic.
Here is the CD/schematics so you can check that info.
You can also see there are two other fuses in the Fuse box to check.

My guess is you have a bad Reostat..just jumper those two pins to find out.
That is also on the schematic..click on Instrument Cluster104 , Schematic 54-3.00/1..location 33A. The reo is R1 and has terminals 58 and 58D..those are where you jumper.

http://mb.auto.pl/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,62/

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A Dalton

Thank you for your inputs. I will pull the dash over the weekend and let you know my findings.

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Tom Latos
2002 E320
1995 E320 Sold at 288kmiles

Pulled the instrument cluster this am. A solder joint failed on the reostat. See attached picture. Resoldered and good to go. Best kind of repair $0.00.

Thanks again for all your inputs. The E320 now has 237kmiles!

Attached Thumbnails

 

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Tom Latos
2002 E320
1995 E320 Sold at 288kmiles

237,000 miles? That is so impressive it belongs in your signature.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

My instrument panel lights are out as well on my 1990 300 SEL. I pulled the panel out and when I squeeze the lower left hand size (dimmer control) the lights come on and off briefly.

What should I do? replace that fuse? solder something?

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1990 Mercedes 300 SEL (320,000 miles)
1994 Mercedes E420 (140,000 miles)