instrument panel and brake light failure

PLEASE HELP...

I have a 1987 2.3-16 w/ 219K miles. Recently, the gas, oil pres, oil temp, water pres, and volt meter gauge ceased to work. Along w/ gauges, the brake lights and reverse lights do not work. the driving lights (contants) and signals are still functional--as are the tach, speedo, and econo gauges. All the fuses and bulbs check out. I hesitate to ask this, but is there a simple resolution for this issue (like a faulty relay)?

[JCE]

Just for drill, you might try replacing all the fuses - sometimes they can develop a hairline crack and look fine, (and occasionally even check OK with a meter), but heat and vibration open them up. You might also consider checking the battery ground wire and other grounds. On my 87 300E, the instruments and brake lights are on the same fuse. When it got a hairline crack, the same thing happened. It is a cheap starting point, anyway.

BTW, you list your location as soCal. Check out the thread in 'Open Discussion' on the Mercedes Shop meeting in SoCal, if you are interested.

thanks for the help John (turns out i over looked the fuse and it was a hair-line break).

i would like to learn more about these MBshop meets (ill try to find my way around this site).

-Rick

[PDX Ballard]

I just had the same thing happen to my 300e. Looks like it was awhile back but do you recall hearing a noise behind the dash?

I did look at the fuses first thing and they appeared OK but I'll check for the hair line crack.

[PDX Ballard]

I had a chance to further check the fuses and found the hair line break in the fuse #5 for the panel. I'm good to go.