I have an extra instrument panel for both my 83 W123 and 86 W124. Can I check all the bulbs in their sockets with a 12 volt battery, say a small drycell to use in the house in the winter time or could I even do it off the battery charger. Is there anything back of the panel that I would ruin if I probed it with 12 volts?

__________________
Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!

Yeah, if you know which connectors. I would recommend just jumping with a car battery though.
In those 2 cars, you can remove the rheostat for the dash lights and jump power and ground to the 2 connectors and the dash lights should light.
You can find the dimmer knob and look behind the cluster, the rheostat is made of a ceramic material, just remove the one screw and pull the rheostat off and you will see the 2 connectors for the rheostat.
Gilly

__________________
Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)