Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-10-2007, 10:31 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 7
Dashboard lights

My dashboard lights don't work. Anybody have any suggestions? thanks.

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-12-2007, 08:24 AM
Moderator
 
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Tucker, Ga USA
Posts: 12,153
What year & model car???
__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-12-2007, 08:50 AM
Dee8go's Avatar
Senor User
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: The People's Republic of Arlington, VA
Posts: 7,193
The dashboard lights on my 1984 300TD seem to not be working completely. One side of the instrument panel has light on it, but the other side is dark. Are there two bulbs in there? Are they hard to get to?

Didn't mean to hijack your thread, Phlatc, but thought this might be relevant to you, too.
__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-12-2007, 04:03 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 7
It's a 1984 380SL.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-12-2007, 05:10 PM
Wodnek's Avatar
Vintage Mercedes Junkie
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Southeast Wisconsin
Posts: 1,661
On my 78 300D it is the rheostat (dimmer). If i tap on it the lights will come on. Try jumping it at the rheostat and see if they come on.
__________________
1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-13-2007, 09:50 AM
MB, love..hate..love..
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: NB Canada
Posts: 1,173
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dee8go View Post
The dashboard lights on my 1984 300TD seem to not be working completely. One side of the instrument panel has light on it, but the other side is dark. Are there two bulbs in there? Are they hard to get to?

Didn't mean to hijack your thread, Phlatc, but thought this might be relevant to you, too.
On my 560SL, there are 2, both at the top of the cluster. One is 'hard-wired' to the cluster (gray or red, I forget which, one is attached to the holder) and gets its power (or ground) from contact with the casing when you turn/insert it into the socket. The other has spring-loaded tangs that contact the printed circuit when the holder is pushed in and turned.
Both bulb holders are about 2 1/2" long black plastic 'tubes' that put the bulbs at the front of the cluster. One illuminates the tach, the other all the other instruments.
I'll add that they are both really flakey, in that I tested the bulbs for function, inserted them properly, then made sure the holders were seated right. I even verified that they were working with the cluster out of the dash, then again after putting everything back in. After re-installing the steering wheel, I STILL have to tap the cluster from time to time to get 'em both to work.
And, BTW, solder a wire across the rheostat terminals while the cluster is out. This will eliminate this pesky piece of s**t as a source of trouble (like your lights go out while driving at night!)
__________________
1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-13-2007, 09:52 AM
Dee8go's Avatar
Senor User
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: The People's Republic of Arlington, VA
Posts: 7,193
Sounds like mine are similar to yours. Thanks for the info.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:25 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page