Instrument Panel Bulb
 

Hello,
I am hoping I can get some help repacing a bulb in my instrument cluster on my 300E. 1993. The bulb is out and I am looking for some sort of step by step. If you can lead me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated.

Phil

Which bulb is it? Is it for the back lighting of the speedo/tac and gauges?

Go to your MB dealer and get the cluster-pulling tools. They're just a few bucks, and worth it.

Then, you hook them in behind the top of the cluster, and pull it out. Replace ALL the bulbs while you're in there.

Now, I have done W202 and W210, but not W124. Might be different. This topic is covered many times in the threads. Do a search for your chassis #...

Black Mercedes Hit it on the head......I replaced mine not long ago. If the Cluster has never been out before you will definately need the tools. Pull it just far enough so that you can disconnect the speedo cable from the back. Be careful you can damage the cable rather easily... Good luck

I recently replaced the instrument cluster bulbs on my 88 300E. It was rather easy job. I didn't need the special tool from Mercedes, just made my own out of a coat hanger. You really have to wedge the cluster out slowly with your hands. The tool is OK to loosen the cluster. Just pull the cluster out far enough to be able to reach behind it and unscrew the bulb holder. On my '88 there are two bulbs at the top of the cluster. I didn't have to disconnect the speedo cable, but I did gently push the cable up towards the cluster from the bottom of the floor near the brake pedal, this makes it easier to wedge out the cluster. If you don't have enough slack in your speedo cable then removal is necessary so you don't damage it. If you just want replace bulbs then you don't need to take the cluster completely out. Replace both bulbs. I found replacements at Checker auto parts. The part is not listed in the Sylania book for the 300E but they did have it. On my '88 the bulb itself sits in a holder that twists out from the cluster, you just pull the bulb out of the holder and replace it with the new one.

The tools are cheap (about $15), and it turns out that they are branded for different tasks...discovered that the tool to pull the wheel bolt covers on the SL is the same one. :rolleyes:

Anyway, you don't have to disconnect the speedo cable. But it is connected somewhere below the dash by the pedals, and you will have to detach it from there to get the slack you need for access.

Just the pull the cluster out enough to get your hand back behind it.

The twist-on bulbs are a bit hard to find at most auto parts stores, so I just get them at the dealer.

The backlighting bulbs for the gauges are 2W units, while the turn signals and warning indicators are 1.2W. They run as much as $3-$6 at the dealer depending on where you go.

Thanks to everyone for your help, I will purchase the tool and replace all the bulbs this weekend. Great Car and great people!!

Phil

I did not need the tool for my 400E. I just finished installing white gauges and replacing the bulbs just now. You could use a coat hanger and cut off the ends. Here is a link to taking out the instrument cluster and a illustration for using the coat hanger method. I did not need to use it. I just pulled the bottom out and pushed out the instrument panel from the inside. There are three different bulb sizes that I needed. You might want to bring the size to the nearest Pep Boys. The bulbs with the socket attached will cost a lot and come as one piece. BTW, there are like about less then 20 bulbs in all. Also, the instruction for removal may vary from model to model in the W-124. Mine was different but, not hard to figure out. This will just give you a basic outline on the procedure on how to do it.

Instrument panel removal and install