I have an 1987 420SEL. The dash lights have gone out. The fuses are ok. I want to check the bulbs. How do I access them? I cannot see how to remove the dash.

Thanks,
Derek

If you have a look here it may have enough info for you if all you need to do is remove the cluster and get in behind.

http://www.varshney.net/SEC/euro_install/

Matt.

If all das lights went out I would check the dimmer. It is easily repaceable by removing the cluster. It screws into the back of the cluster. The cluster just pulls straight out no screws just a tight fit.

Scott@lajollaaudio

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The Mercedes Specialists Since 1986

Thanks everyone for the help. I have a couple of followup questions.

How do I know if the dimmer switch is bad? I suspect this since the bulbs checked out ok. I have not had this car long and the dash lights were always very dim. I checked it with my meter and the resistance ranges from 0 to 13 ohms.

I made a bad mistake when I pulled the cluster. Somehow the center connector (it has 7 wires) came apart and the 7 wires came loose. They are not marked. Does anyone know which wires go into which part of the socket (numbered 1-8)?

oh man, that connector has got to be a royal PIA to get back together. If this had been posted yesterday i could have helped ya out, with pictures even. But i'm not about to take apart my car again, it spent all weekend apart and i think it likes being together personally.... Hopefully someone else will chime in shortly. IF you really can't figure it out send me an email and i'll see how much of my car i'd have to re-take apart to get that connector off. IF it involves pulling my kick pannel(again) im not gonna do it though. Sorry if this sounds a little cold but i spent all weekend pulling/installing a dashboard in my car, and i'm tired of looking at wires
Ryan

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83 300SD.......sold
96 integra SE....sold
99 a4 quattro....sold
2001 IS300.......sold
2002 330i.........current.
2004 highlander limited....current.

1 st you measure for power on the connector to the dimmer to see if you have it on both sides. The dimmer has only 2 connections one should measure 12v all the time and the other should measure between 12v and 5v when you turn the dimmer. Sorry about the connector coming apart but I don't have any info at home on the pin config. If you have power only on one side I would say the problem is the dimmer. How long have the lights been out? did it happen after you did something in the car?

Scott@lajollaaudio

__________________
The Mercedes Specialists Since 1986

Ryan, Thanks but I understand. I would not ask you to take that apart again.

Scott, The problem just started the other day. The only thing I did to the car before that was to change the bulb in the rear window brake light. I am sure that is just a coincidence. Until I get this connector figured out, I cannot measure the voltage. This seems to supply power to the instrument panel.