I pulled my instrument panel to check my light bulbs and to see what the problem was, with my rheostat(plus Im trying to get my fuel gauge to work, talked about that in another thread). Anyway, my dash lights have not worked, the indicator lights, brake, glow plugs, etc, have all worked, but just not the two bulbs that illuminate the gauges. I replaced the bulbs as the two looked very dark, also repainted my gauge arms florescent orange. Looked for my rheostat, and it was missing! Should have noticed it when I first took the cluster out, but didnt. Little knob is still on front part of cluster, but not rheostat inside! Now, I dont know if the PO or somebody prior to him, removed the reohstat, but it is gone. Not knowing which places it draws it juice from, I'm not sure how to procede. I am attaching several pictures, so perhaps someone can help me out a bit? Rheostat shaft goes through the hole with the embedded metal washer, which has two solder joints on two corners. The two other solder joints directly below the rheostat hole, have the metal pins on the rear(I imagine to plug the rheostat into. Can I short/solder across these pins somewhere, so I can get light to my dash? All help is greatly appreciated!
thanks,
Jim

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1979 Mercedes 240D (Sold to a neighbor last year,now I have room for a new one,looking for a 300D this time)
1980 Mercedes 240D(bought for a parts car, but I have fun driving it!)