Instrument cluster lights
 

G'day

I've read all the threads on this topic but couldn't find an answer to my problem.

One side of the cluster has no back lighting. I've changed all the globes - but the right side is still in darkness, I've swapped the globes around to see if the globe is OK and it worked one the left but the left didn't work on the right.

I can't find any wiring diagrams anywhere which show where the power should be coming from to the right globe.

All the other intsrument and dash lights now work (well almost - I just can't see how to get to the globes behind the centre vent controls) when I got the car almost all of the backlighting was blown.

Anyone able to help??


Cheers

What kind of Car
 

I am assuming that the car you are speaking about is a 420se as your username suggests. Some of the bulbs on the center vent/climate control switches are controlled through a fiberoptic tube, do a search on this you will find all the info you need. As for the instrument cluster bulbs, before u assume anything being wrong ; you might want to turn the bulb and bulb holder a notch. It could be that just the contacts are not "contacting". I had the same issue on my 126 and that was the problem.

Assuming you have a W126.
The contacts for the instrument lights are thin copper strips glued to the inside of the instrument cluster. Sometimes they will come lose. Disassembling the instrument cluster is not to hard (just some Phillips screws on the back).

Thanks - yes stupid me, fundemental flaw in my post - its a W126 420 SE 1988 imported from Hong Kong early this year.

I will look at those copper contacts 'cause I've tried everything else.

Cheers

I have no experience with an MB instrument cluster yet (knock on wood), but I assume there is a very thin printed circuit board on the back side. I knock out some of the instrument lights on an '89 Volvo by damaging this. Didn't have the tools or experience to re-solder the cracked circuit so I bought another instrument panel from a salvage yard, popped it in and all lights worked However, the 'new' odomoter had showed mileage.
regards,
Mark

Copper contacts it was!!!

They'd sort of gotten crumpled up - smoothing them out and 'let there be light'!!!

Thanks for the help.

Cheers