I don't know officer, I can't see the speedometer
 

I lost both lights that illuminate my instrument pannel(speedo tach etc.). All the other lights work(turnsignals, warning lights, other dash lights). In the CD rom manual I have, there is noting specific about this but anything involving the instrument pannel requires a massive dash-ectomy. Some one please tell me there is easier access. This is a 1992 190.

thanks for any help

Beyeker

I assume you know about the dimmer knob on the cluster? Rotate it clockwise to get full illumination...that's what it sounds like to me.

Yeah I agree. Ive done this before. :o

I'm sure you'll be able to read the speedo & tach, when the officer shines his flashlight on them. :D

This happened to me before. It was a fuse. Same fuse went to my brake lights, but I have a 300SE (w126) so I'd imagine your fuse arrangement is different.

I've been driving around for close to a year now with a dark instrument panel, and it is still very annoying (at night that is). It's gotta be something simple like a fuse or "separate" knob. If anyone knows or figures out the solution please let us know. =)

Just make sure you don't give that excuse to the officer. Bite your tongue. In addition to the speeding ticket you'll get another one for defective equipment. Then you'll be forced to fix the problem ($$).

In my case this was caused by a short to ground in the wiring that goes to the right rear lights. An important clue was that only the right rear lamp did not function (in addition to the cluster lights, I mean). The left rear worked fine. The wiring diagram was a big help here. Fortunately, my car was already half torn apart for renovation anyway. I hope you do not have to do the same.

Rich Mayer
82 500 SL Euro

easy out
 

The instrument cluster can be pulled straight out on a 190.The speedo cable holds it in place and needs to be disconnected before the cluster will come all the way out. The dimmerswitch/reostat can cause this problem. It can be replaced with a screw driver once the cluster is pulled.

Thanks for all the info. I did try the dimmer swithch, even monkey'd around with it thinking the contact was faulty. Everything else in the dash dimmed and got brighter like it should. the I still think it is the bulbs and the reason is the right one has been out for quite some time, and just last week the left one went out. Once it warms to above freezing I will try pulling out the cluster as suggested.

I fiddled with the dimmer knob too, but that was something I had already tried--no dice. Where are these bulbs located and how hard is it to replace them?

I guess nobody knows.

If both lights went out at the same time, I'd guess that the problem is a faulty dimmer rheostat. I know on older models, the rheostat can be replaced by a piece of wire, which will provide full illumination at all times... this is one of the first repairs/modifications I did when I got my 240D, and I've been very happy with it.

Nate

Hey Nate, is this replacement a simple task? By rheostat do you mean the knob that adjusts the illumination? Can I just pop out the rheostat and install a wire or is it more involved? Thanks for your post.

Your rheostat will look like the one in the first pic, and will screw on the back of the instrument cluster housing in a very similar fashion as the one in the second pic.
If you're quick, you can do it in 10 mins. First timers will probably use 20-30 mins. mostly because they will be going slow and cautious.

The bulbs that are probably out, will be in a very similar area as the ones in the second pic,... they are those black knobs to the top left and right of the speedometer.
If you have the time and are bored, buy yourself some glossy white model airplane glue and paint the white plastic area that the bulbs are reflecting on to (odds are they have yellowed over age).

Good luck!