I have 1990 300E and the #3 fuse blew. Replaced it and guess what it? It blew again, DA! Checked the fuse designation slip at the fuse box and #3 fuse is for:
"parking/tail light right, headlamp cleaning unit (which I believe is the headlamp wiper), illumination: license plate, instrument, control element." I have eliminated by unplugging and replacing blown fuses all but instrument and control element. So I believe the problem lies in the instrument and control element. I hope this all makes sense so any advise would be greatly appreciated and thank you in advance.

Tim

If there is a short and disconnecting all those lights and other components doesn't locate it perhaps a close look at the wiring is in order. Take one at a time and make sure the hot lead wires aren't grounding. This is the most common problem because the loose wiring around components is most subject to wear.

I wouldn't jump ahead by thinking that the issue is the instrument panel.

__________________
84 300SD
85 380SE
83 528e
95 318ic

Don't overlook the headlight wipers. I went through this in my SDL and it was the headlight wiper assembly. They have a diode in the passenger side wiper motor (master unit) that fails shorted and will blow the fuse all day long. Try unplugging the wiper motor and see if your fuse blows again.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)