'86 300e w124 dash lightbulb replacement help?
 

I'm a new MB owner and need to learn how to do repairs myself. The dashboard no longer lights up making driving at night a real challenge. Fuse is ok so I'm assuming it is the bulb. Can some tell me how to get to the dash lightbulb to replace it? I don't know where to start.

Have you tried rotating the little rheostat knob back and forth?

There are two bulbs. I suppose they both could have burned out. Are the lights at the AC vents working?

What fuse are you checking...?
 

As mentioned above, have you tried the rheostat...? It is the knob on the instrument cluster...

now the car is in the shop having the ignition replaced so i have not been able to check out the rheostat issue - i certainly hope it is just that - thanks!

The rheostat in my '91 300E has also given me some problems. Sometimes the dash lights go out completely and you just have to jiggle the rheostat. It must be a short, but as long as jiggling it fixes it--I can live with that:)

-GH

...and the radio illumination and the window switches in the console as well as the seat adjustment switches on the door. That is a sure clue that it's the rheostat and not a fuse or burnt bulbs...