Fuses generally don't blow just for the heck of it. You may have a short in the system somewhere (dangling wire that occasionally touches ground, for example).

First try turning the illumination intensity rheostat back and forth. Does it turn? Can you change the intensity of the gear selector light? Do any of the other lights now work? Report results.

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970