A terrible and shameless newbie question, but my Mercedes owner's manual as well as my Chilton book don't cover it-what kind of bulb(s) does the instrument cluster use (mine are dead, I think)? Also, how do I access the instrument cluster light? Do I pull the panel down in the footwell off or do I gain access via the trunk?
Thanks all.

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1982 Silver 300DT

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/search.php?searchid=363499

Thanks leather and sorry.
Gotta get better at that search function.
While I have your eyeballs (hehehe), I'm lubricating my throttle linkage-I am assuming that I'm supposed to pop those ball-connector-thingies and then lubricate the ball and socket, right? Totally noob question, but I want to do it right.

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1982 Silver 300DT

Use a flathead screwdriver to pop off the socket around the ball, use a shop rag to remove all traces of the old grease from the ball and socket, and use white lithium grease--I believe--on the ball, then snap the cap back on. Make sure to get the weird ones down by the IP and stuff if you can. Sometimes old grease is crusted on and hard to remove. Get it off, it will help.

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"I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brillaint blaze
than it should be stifled by dryrot.
I would rather be a superb meteor,
every atom of me in magnificent glow,
than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time."

-Jack London 1876-1916

1983 300CDT (running WVO since 12/05)
1981 300SD (parts car)

Yes, and particularly after any engine washing... the manual calls for ATF... but I think any white lithium grease is fine. Like Chrysler type A.. or what MB calls ' sliding paste'...

Search for "DIY pages" if you want some really good information on brightening your dash backlighting. Pick up a jar of Testor's white model paint and paint the inside of the bulb housing (you'll see what I'm talking about if you read the article). Cleaning the bulb, the plastic prism, and repainting this probably doubled my light output at least. Clean bulb with isopropyl alcohol and clean paper towel or tissue. Also try cranking up your potentiometer.

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"I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brillaint blaze
than it should be stifled by dryrot.
I would rather be a superb meteor,
every atom of me in magnificent glow,
than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time."

-Jack London 1876-1916

1983 300CDT (running WVO since 12/05)
1981 300SD (parts car)

Do try 'playing' with the dimmer (odometer reset, rotate clockwise/countercloswise) first, see if there is a 'dead' spot on the dimmer. More than one set of instrument lights has been saved this way...

Best Regards,
Jim

If you need to replace cluster lamp(s) then the instrument cluster is removed by pulling it out of the panel. A Search will reveal method(s).

Jim H, yer a danged brain surgeon! I spent about 5 minutes massaging the 'twister' and finally found her sweet spot. No instrument cluster pullout for me! Thanks!!!

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1982 Silver 300DT

Lubed the throttle assembly as well-Not nearly the dead spot now when I hit the 'gas'.
Thanks.

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1982 Silver 300DT

Its going to fail in the near future..when it does either bridge it or you can get a new one fairly cheap from fastlane for little more than ebay prices if you order other needs at once to hit the free shipping minimum....

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche