94 E420 Instrument Cluster lights - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

RBYCC · #16 03-04-2008, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRICHFL

After all these years of owning this car I never knew that the Rheostat dimmer is the same as the Reset trip button located in the Instrument cluster.

I use the Reset trip button each week as I travel up and down the Florida highway and not once have I used the Rheostat dimmer to change the illumination of the different lights. I guess I must have push the Reset trip button and turned all the illumination lights off without notice during the day. Later that night when I decided to turn on the lights I had no illumination.

Now I know that if you turn the Reset trip button clockwise or counterclockwise without pushing the button in to reset mileage, it will dim or brighten all illumination lights in the cockpit of the car.

Thank to everyone who help me solve this problem. I hope this can help someone in the future.

Always the first place to look and an "inexpensive" fix !!!!
Cheers

Ed A.

Nicocw2 · #17 08-10-2016, 09:49 AM

I have been researching post after post and have not been able to find a solution to my problem. I realize this is years later after all these threads but if anyone is out there still with this knowledge or advice, it would be greatly appreciated.
My 1994 E420 instrument cluster warning lights are all on after a colony of fire ants invaded my dashboard. I have since gotten rid of them but my ac now doesn't work and instrument cluster warning lights are all on and car runs fine. My attempt is to follow warning bulb light wiring into engine compartment and troubleshoot to see where I need to repair issue. Does anyone have any ideas as to what or where I could look first? I've looked and inspected all fuses and removed fuse box and installed again and even removed and re-installed onboard computer boxes in engine compartment with no change. Any advice would be great. Thanks!

Ferdman · #18 08-10-2016, 10:23 AM

Nicocw2, sometimes worn voltage regulator (attached to the back of the alternator) brushes will cause the instrument panel warning lights to illuminate. You may want to remove the voltage regulator and check the condition of the brushes. If they are worn down to nubs, replace the voltage regulator.

pwogaman · #19 08-10-2016, 11:31 AM

With a 1994 model year you also get the biodegradable wire insulation. You may have issues with that now; it can short everything and all your warnings light up like a Christmas tree if it is bad enough.

DRICHFL · #20 12-22-2016, 11:06 PM

I'm sorry, just logged in & saw this post. I agree with the other posters, it maybe your wire's insulation. Check under your fuse box under the hood on the driver side. See if you have any damage wire below the fuse box entering the cockpit.