I was installing some aftermarket gauges in my 81 300td last night and managed to lose all of my dash, hazard, and climate control lights. I tapped into the hazard accesory light wire to light my new gauges. When I powered them up for a test everything died. The gear indicator light still works, but the rest are dead. I figured I just crossed a wire and blew fuse. I replaced the number 1 fuse and still no success. I ran a jumper wire from the battery from to the new gauges I installed and got lights at the new gauges, hazard, and climate control, but not the dash. My rheostat has been jumped. I pulled the cluster and checked the bulbs. I came here and did a search and found that there may be an inline fuse in the cluster in 86 and newer cars.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=120344&highlight=dash+light+fuse

I was wondering if anyone found the same type of fuse in older model cars? I would go look myself, but I am at work and the car is in the shop at home.

Thanks,
Glenn