1998 E300 Centre Console Back Lighting Problems

[biggeordie]

Hi All,

First time poster so hello to one and all, looking forward to getting to know some of you over the coming months.

I have just bought an immaculate 1998 E300 TD with 100k and a full service history in auto.

Its really beautifull internally and externally and has obviously been looked after by its former owners.

We bought it as an alternative to the old "Chelsea Tractor" as my wifes a Child Minder and the 7 seats / large load space were obviously very very appealing.

I have one question to ask and if anybody could spare the time to assist me I really would appreciate it.

The "Centre Console" above the radio with the "auto climate" buttons and fan adjustment buttons etc, at night, when the head lights are on, the back light is none existent, I mean were talkimg you cant see SFA!!!! (my centre console has the push buttons and not the windy knob type thing)

Now the red "auto" lights come on, and the "ec" red light comes on when pressed but thats it.

I am of course hoping that this is a fault as I have just given the salesman a right bxllxcking for not having the car in 100% ready to go order (his words not mine) as if the centre console/heating control console has no back lighting I am going to look like a prize cxck!!!!

If anybody could give me either a "yes" or a "no" answer in terms of should there be back lighting I would be eternally in your debt!

My main car is a BMW M5 and I love it to bits, in fact its valentines night and im spending my night in the garage rubbing my "M" Badge!!!!:grin:

Going from the M5 to the E300 was quite an easy transition as the E300 is so easy to drive and so comfortable.

Anyway, Thanks in advance for your help gents (and ladies)

Regards

Michael

 

[television]

hello Micheal and welcome with your nice car.

two things with the lighting,it could be bulbs or the fuse behind the instrument cluster.
http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GM=717.430&CT=F&cat=506&SID=83&SGR=135&SGN=02

diagram showing bulbs.

malcolm

 

[Blobcat]

Hi & Welcome

I can see how easy it would be to go from an M5 to a E300TD as the power is so similar

 

[biggeordie]

Thanks for the replies guys,

Blobcat, you are correct about the difference in power!!

The Mercedes, a lovely car in its own right has made me appreciate the poise and power of the M5.

So I basically fell in love with the M5 all over again after driving the E300 for a while!!!

Im just an old petrol head at heart!LOL!!!!

ps Malcom, many thanks for the link to the white papers, may come in very very handy!

My mother in Law drives an SL500 which is similar in power to my M5 however its an auto and I prefer the manual, never the less the SL500 is an absolute Beauty..........................just not quite as beautifull as my M5 (In my humble opinion of course)!!!

 

[television]

Each to his own,with all of the M5's around it makes my SL500 more special


Malcolm

 

[Blobcat]

I didn't think I would ever see the words 'Beautiful' and 'M5' in the same sentence. Your not Chris Bangle are you?

 

[iamamanc]

Just had a similar problem. If all the back lights are out including the gear selector, I think it will be the fuse. Check an easy one first. Pull the temp or blower selector, there should be a bulb in the end of the stalk, replace and try, if it works it's not the fuse if it's dead it's the fuse. If the design is still the same(ish) as a W124 that fuse will be behind the instrument cluster.

http://www.mercedesshop.com/Wikka/W124InstCluster

On step 7 the red thing is the fuse
Remember this is for a W124
Cheers
Adrian

 

[biggeordie]

Television & Bobcat,

Gentlemen Please!!!

Each to there own as you said but come on boys, were talking about two of the most sought after cars in the world here, and we need to get some facts straight!

My Mother In Laws SL500 is a lovely looking car, a far sexier looking car than my M5 however that is possibly the only categorie where the Merc wins over the M5!

The interior of the SL500 is in my opinion "cheap" and "plasticky" the roof rattles almost all of the time (maybe its just hers, havent driven another so I can't comment further)

You said "with all of the M5's around", im sorry but there like rocking horse shxt where I live and in my travelling of the country I very rarely see another M5.

The M5 and this is from Tiff Needell, is the most balanced, well tuned sports sedan in the world, that'll do for me!

The M5 is all about understated power and luxury and not the "look at me" SL500 styling.

The only way of telling an M5 is by the very small lip spoiler on the boot and of course the 4 magnificent exhausts, oh and of course that beautifull 5L V8 roar!!!!

Im not sure where this discussion is going but i had to retort to your earlier comments.

Oh, and finally the SL500 wishes it could just even keep up with the M5, the huge ammounts of torque on my M5 are really really scary!

So I love my M5 and rightly so you love your SL500, each to there own, and this forum would be a far worse place without a few differing opinions.

So lets just agree that we can agree to disagree and move on as grown mens should

Enjoying the discussion gents, even though My M5 completely owns the SL500