THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS BURNT OUT...I WAS JUST WONDERING HOW HARD IS IT TO REMOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TO REPLACE THE BULB...HOW LONG DOES IT USUALLY TAKE FOR A SPEEDOMETER SHOP TO REMOVE IT...(JUST TO GIVE ME AN IDEA OF HOW MUCH LABOR TIME I SHOULD PAY IF I GET IT DONE)...THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR REPLIES...

------------------
RICKY PANELO
1995 C280 [AMG]
1993 190E 2.6 [CARLSSON]
1991 VW GTI

Ricky,
If you have the dash pulling tools (two handles with metal rods that have a hook on the end), then this should take, oh, maybe 30secs to pull the dash, another 30 secs to find the bulb, 15 secs to get it out 10 to put in a fresh one, and another 15 secs to stick the dash back in. So, in closing, if you're good, you could do it in under 2 minutes! :D
-Larry

can you tell me if there are any screws that are needed to be taken off?..does the steering wheel have to be removed?....i've taken of the instrument cluster on my vw gti, and it took me more than 2 minutes....i would think that taking off a benz instrument cluster would be harder than a vw...is there a site where i can get the step by step instructions on how to take it off?...you made it sound so easy....thanks...

Hey there,

I don't have really any good advice for you, but have you seen the 190 Revolution site? There is a forum board on there and this discussion has gone on before with a long stream of messages with it. You can go to that forum and do a search and I'm sure you can find someone who can help you further. Here is the link. http://mb190e.50g.com

Hi there.

it's actually quite easy to pull the cluster out if you know how. It's basically a friction fit into the binnacle. If it's your 190, then you should be able to pull it out relatively easily:

Basically place your hands on the flat part of the cluster right above the idiot lights. Do this on the right side of the cluster and while applying downwards force, try and pull it back towards you. If it's never been done before, this could take a bit of doing. And you may have to switch back and forth from the right side to the left side several times.

Eventually you'll see the cluster start to come out a little. Yo uwill need something to slip under the side of the cluster to keep it from sliding back in.

You'll have to pull it out from one side. And you may have to go under the hood and realease the clamp that holds the spedo cable to the tranny. This will give you a little more slack. Don't get too aggressive with the speedo cable because if you kink it, it's not good.

There will be a whole bunch of electrical connections you will need to undo in order to remove the cluster entirely. Disconnect them and of course, make note of what went where.

You will also have to reach behind the cluster and undo the speedo cable. It's held to the speedo by a knurled nut. You can't miss it. However, getting your arm in there is pretty tough because it's VERY tight in there and the speedo cable is probably on pretty tight. Just have patience.

Now...there's been a little bit of conflicting info regarding the oil pressure gauge. Apprently in some cars, it's a hard, wet line meaning it's hard tubing that carries oil to the gauge. I personally find this hard to believe because typically German designs would not allow engine fluids into the passenger compartment. It's just a bad way to do things...especially since there are simpler and more efficient ways to do this. On my 16V the oil pressure gauge is electrical.

Now that you've hopefully managed to remove the cluster without destroying anything, you will need to undo about 8 or 10 screws on the backside of the cluster. This allows you to remove the gauges. There are 3 seperate gauges. Be careful that you don't damage the gauges as you remove them.

I can't remember if you actually need to remove the gauge in order to access the bulb for the turn signal. I think you do.

In any case, you should be able to figure the rest out from this point on.

------------------
Cheers!

Yen-Hsen Liem
'93 500E black pearl/black leather; 89,000km; 245/45-ZR17 Michelin Pilot SX; 17x8.25 factory EvoII
'93 500E bornit(blackberry)/black leather; 69,000km; european delivery; 245/45-ZR17 Michelin Pilot SX; 17x8.25 factory EvoII
'88 560SL desert taupe/dark brown leather; 89,000km; Euro headlights
'87 190E 2.3-16 black pearl/black leather; 55,000mi
'70 280SL white/red; 135,000mi (original); factory alloys; Euro headlights