Dash and console lights - out! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tobybul · #1 11-24-2006, 06:42 PM

After cleaning the a/c fan today, next project tomorrow will be figuring out why my instrument cluster and console lights do not come on. At first, I thought it might be the reo but since console lights are out too, it might be a wiring or loose connection issue. Just wondering where to start with this

84 300D 242k

JimmyL · #2 11-24-2006, 08:08 PM

Still could be the ole rheostat. Mine zapped everything off on the 240D a couple of nights ago except the top AC knob, which has some kind of blue arrow thing lit up......

tobybul · #3 11-25-2006, 08:38 AM

am trying to remove inst cluster. noticed its much more tight than my 85 and theres some type of insulation wrapped over the back of the cluster. I do not recall my 85 having this insulation. can't seem to budge it right now but will keep on trying.

am I forgetting something here?

JimmyL · #4 11-25-2006, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

am trying to remove inst cluster. noticed its much more tight than my 85 and theres some type of insulation wrapped over the back of the cluster. I do not recall my 85 having this insulation. can't seem to budge it right now but will keep on trying.

am I forgetting something here?

Make sure you have slack in the speedo cable, but sometimes they are just harder to pooch out than others........

350SL4spd · #5 11-25-2006, 10:54 AM

Sometimes you just get a little corrosion on the knob on the reo.

And sometimes a couple of good twists on the knob get the lights back.

Even on my W124 it takes out the cluster & console lights & I have to give it a twist.

Of course, it sounds like you've moved beyond the twisting stage....

Bruce Bonds · #6 11-25-2006, 02:39 PM

I have had this problem twice and had to replace the Fuel/temp/Oil pressure cluster. Pull the entire instrument panel and look behind the cluster to the left of the speedo. Chances are you will find that one of the copper strips on the circuit board is toasted. I guess you could repair it with solder but I just replaced mine with a cluster from the Pull-A-Part. When mine went bad, none of the dash lights worked, nor did the lights on the window switches. Good luck.

tobybul · #7 11-25-2006, 11:33 PM

Finally pulled cluster out. I don't think it was ever worked on (which is a good thing

) hence it was stuck more than the usual. The rubber rib was making it difficult to pull out. I rigged hanger wire as puller (see pic) along with a little push from behind helped. Also, loosend speedo cable from engine side.

The problem with the lights was a bad rheo. For some reason it was corroded with this white powdery stuff. I removed it and ended up opening it up. Soaked in The Works cleaner for about a minute to remove corrosion. Dried it, lightly dabbed with grease and put it back together. Reassembly was a bit tricky due to the springs. Mechanism worked fine BUT decided to just jump the connection. So I soldered a piece of wire between the 2 connections.

Also, checked and wiped all bulbs. Replaced the once that were a bit dark from the heat. Reinstalled cluster and - VOILA

!! All lights came on (including the console lights).

So, I can firmly confirm that the Rheostat also controls the console lights!!

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Biodiesel300TD · #8 11-26-2006, 11:34 AM

Glad you fixed it. It's kinda scarey driving with no dash and console lights.

JimmyL · #9 11-26-2006, 01:48 PM

Yep, my rheo was bad also, with same white powdery substance. Popped in one I had already soldered.....

stcbenz83 · #10 11-26-2006, 01:50 PM

thank goodness for this post. I just bought a 300 Turbo and the guy said he changed the blubs (which he said took him 3 days) and when i turned the lights on last night. NO INTERIOR LIGHTS!! the only thing that lighted up was the cd player. all dash lights and pannell lights were out. But now i know what to check. THANKS SO MUCH!!