Hi All,

I just brought my first 1971 280 SE (W108) a Californian floor shift model. And although the car is in great condition, I have just reconditioned the dash board, and while it's off I thought it would be the best time to firgure out why the lights in the instrument cluster wont work, or in the dash board. The indicator/high beam lights are fine aswell as the tank reserve, generator and handbrake, but when I put the lights on it doesnt light up. Ive checked fuses, wires, and tested wires with a multi-tester, they seem to be fine. I've also replaced all the globes in the cluster, but I cant find the problem. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks for the wonderful forum also, It's been such a help thus far.

Cheers,
Luke

Jumper over the dimmer rheostat and see if the lights come on.

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

Twirl the dimmer knob 100x and see if that gets things working.

The reostat is mounted on the back of the speedo cluster. A white plastic unit with a coil of wire thru it. Solder a small wire from one end of it to the other, thereby by- passing the reostat. Illumination now will be at full brightness.

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81 300CD (sold) 1972 280 SEL 4.5 (sold) 1966 250 S 4 spd (sold) 1974 450 SL (sold) 86 BMW 325ES (sold), 1973 280C (sold) 1988 300 SE.

Which way is it turned to make it brighter?

A billion thanks to you 'carnut'. I wish there was something I could do to repay you, the dash lights up like a new england christmas tree! Thankyou so much

Thanks for the feed back! Now someone else will be helped. Do us a favor and list year and type of car in your signature profile like mine is. That way you dont have to print it everytime you post.

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81 300CD (sold) 1972 280 SEL 4.5 (sold) 1966 250 S 4 spd (sold) 1974 450 SL (sold) 86 BMW 325ES (sold), 1973 280C (sold) 1988 300 SE.