I have a '95 S500 (W140). All of a sudden, the Outside Thermometer digital gauge on the dash has lost most of its illumination. The rest of the dash lights above this digital display are fine, and correctly brighten or dim with the turn of the dial on the left side of the dash.

Any ideas on why the outside temperature digital display is not lit as bright as it was before; and how to fix???

I had the same thing happen on mine. It has a bulb that you can change from the back on the instrument cluster. Hoping that it's just the backlight and not the whole LCD display. If you can still read the temp numbers then it's pretty easy.

Search around for instructions on Instrument Cluster removal. There are some step-by-steps. The bulb you have to purchase from the dealer or Fastlane and they will know which one it will be. (smallest blue plastic based ones I think)

I took notes when I did it, so if I have more time I can post photos.

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Chris Doko
93 500SEL
-Clear Corners
-Apine CD changer

Hi...I have a 1994 S320 that has the same problems, the odometer and mileage illumination bulbs are out...I can still read the mileage its just very dim...If you have pics of the removal process, I would appreciate your help. My email address is ccastillo@apple.com. Thanks

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1994 S320
131K miles

1998 ML 320
126K miles

1994 Blue C220
122K miles

Im going to Grad School @ the University of Iowa
Go Hawkeyes!!!

I got the same problem like the rest of you. Except I already pulled out the cluster and replaced all the bulbs and still no lights coming on. Don't know what's causing it not to light. I wonder if anyone out there would know and provide us some info.

same problem, and its not burned out bulbs. HELP!!

Check the fuse, then check the knob protruding from your cluster on the left. Turn it clockwise all the way to the right.

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Semibodacious Transmogrifications a Specialty

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo sedan 171K (Rudolf)
1985 300D Turbo TD Wagon 219K (Remuda)

"Time flies like and arrow, yet fruit flies like a banana"
---Marx (Groucho)

Are u saying that the lower part of our cluster got a seperate fuse from the rest? Coz I got lights on th e upper part of my cluster. Temp., mileage and clock even with new bulbs still no light.

Anyone on this thread ever figure out what the problem was? I have the same problem on my 99clk320. The illumination behind the digital clock went out but works and is bright on everything else on the dash.

I'd hate to spend all that time removing the dash and all to finally get to the same conclusion, that the problem isn't with burnt dash bulbs.

Thanks all!

not sure if it helps. I have a 2000 W220 and all lights on the entire instrument cluster went out. The speedo, oil, petrol, ....... still works but just no light. I think the CLK has a similar cluster where there is a BIG LCD on the cluster.

What I notice is that if I drive with the door open, not too slow but not too fast, all lights came back online and the LCD had huge warning regarding door not closed. But as soon as the car stop, everything back to normal, i.e. no lights.

This prove to me it is not the fuse but must be the motherboard. Of course the dealer say "replace it". I just had to convince myself before spending the $$$$ to get it replace at the dealer. I had to get it done by the dealer as all the information is stored in the cluster and must be transfer to the new cluster.
This process can only be done by them as I was told!

It seems this is a very common problem in Mercedes...Ive owned three...and as of yesterday...now all three have the same problem. I havent had a chance to go in and look to see if it was indeed the illumination bulbs...but Im pretty sure its not the LCD display itself on any of these.

The first was my C220, all the digital readabouts were dim....the rest of the readouts were fine...its not the dimming switch....

The second is my S320, the mileage and temp readouts are out...they arent out completely, I can still strain and see the readouts, they are just very dim...

And now, yesterday, my wifes ML got the bug...the clock readout went dim....

Looks like I will be taking out the cluster on all of these...why couldnt they have used the same bulbs that they used for the other controls???

__________________
1994 S320
131K miles

1998 ML 320
126K miles

1994 Blue C220
122K miles

Im going to Grad School @ the University of Iowa
Go Hawkeyes!!!