190E - Dash Lights + Indicator + Front Wiper - Related? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

G-Benz · #1 06-22-2009, 01:49 PM

Wiper issue is probably due to a faulty wiper relay, a black or grey-looking cube located somewhere near the engine fuse panel. Problem should show up moreso when wiper is being used in the "intermittent" mode.

"Light out" indicator only senses exterior lamps...burned out dash bulbs are not part of the circuit. Replace where necessary. You are going to have to pull the cluster to do this, so go ahead and replace all of the dash bulbs while you are in there.

As the other posters mentioned, there is an illumination knob near the gauge cluster that controls brightness. Even at max illumination, it's not very bright anyway.

A lot of quirky electronic problems can sometimes be solved by replacing all of the aging fuses in the panel. If and when you do, make sure you get the quality ceramic fuses with the dull-plated silver leads, not the crappy plastic ones with the shiny gold leads!

volosong · #2 06-22-2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Benz

...
"Light out" indicator only senses exterior lamps...burned out dash bulbs are not part of the circuit. Replace where necessary. You are going to have to pull the cluster to do this, so go ahead and replace all of the dash bulbs while you are in there...

Do you know if there is a bulb that illuminates the bottom half of the clock? It's pretty dim, even with full intensity. Can't really read that part of the clock at night.

G-Benz · #3 06-22-2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volosong

Do you know if there is a bulb that illuminates the bottom half of the clock? It's pretty dim, even with full intensity. Can't really read that part of the clock at night.

Not sure...don't know what the back of the 190-series cluster looks like.

But the gauge cluster illumination is pretty even across the whole face, so if you see a discernible loss of visibility at some area of the cluster, it is usually a blown bulb...

volosong · #4 06-22-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usayon

Yes, they are dim...but no more, led conversion.

Please...tell us more.

volosong · #5 06-25-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usayon

One bulb on each top side, even light distribution is due to light guides.

Yes, they are dim...but no more, led conversion.

WOW! That's a lot of work. The end result is very nice. Well done. Thanks for the pictures.

G-Benz · #6 06-25-2009, 11:24 AM

Tedious, but brilliant project!

Curious, for all of the surgery involved with the gauge cluster, why didn't you opt for the "white-faced" gauge panel conversion?