230TE - PANEL ILLUMINATION - Loss of 12volt feed

[NormanB]

Hi - Newbie decloaking.

1.I have searched the forum and cannot find similar so will post my problem here hopefully some one can offer advice (Andy G?).

2.I have a venerable 1989 230TE Auto and have had a bit of a problem with the illumination of heater control panel/switches/vents/gear selector. The instrument cluster, lighting control and cigarette lighter illumination is fine and the rheostat controls the instrument cluster lights sensibly.

3.The problem emanates from my ham fistedness! In an attempt to replace 3 duff lamps (L/H temp control, blower switch and gear selector which I thought was straightforward enough....I was testing one of the supplies for voltage and slipped and fear my probes may have shorted something, although all system fuses were and are OK no lamps at all worked as indicated at para 2.

4.I have delved in again (eek! with the assistance of the Haynes Manual which combined with my rather weak grasp of auto electrics is not a receipe of assured success.

5.At the plug connector at the pack of the Heater Control panel when testing the line feed (grey/blue) voltage reads ....nowt, Haynes shows this as been fed from the board at the back of the instrument cluster. If I jump 12v temporarily into the plug connector to the grey blue connection I can get the lights working.

6.My questions are:

a.Any experience of similar problems?
b.Have I blown something expensive!? {ANDY G ADVISED I CHANGE THE FUSE SITUATED BEHIND THE CLOCK - HE WAS RIGHT PROBLEM NOW SORTED!!}
c.How do I get to the panel at the back of the instrument cluster.
d.What should I be looking for?
e.Will I do any harm by taking 12v from nearby (central console) and splicing in to grey blue - accepting that I will lose dimming control?

Thanks in anticipation

NormanB


(Edited by NormanB at 7:38 pm on Sep. 6, 2002)

 

[altreed]

230TE - PANEL ILLUMINATION

I had at least half of my instrument lamps on the center console of my 190e off once, I gave it to the stealership thinking that it would be a major hassle, they said one bulb had blown, how it made the rest of them not illimunate I don't know.  I suppose the dash may be a 'christmas light' loom?

 

[Anonymous]

230TE - PANEL ILLUMINATION

Half of the lights in one of our 202's dash went out , seamingly its somthing you can't fix cheaply as we tried a new bulb and the only other thing was to change the board that controls it. ...... :-(

 

[NormanB]

230TE - PANEL ILLUMINATION

Thanks Altreed and Fuzzer for your comments.

I have just revived my computer - OS upgrade after major probs. Machine now stable so my attention back to the Merc.

Anyone else experience of posted problem - any advice.

VMT

 

[Andy]

230TE - PANEL ILLUMINATION

Hi Norman,

Try removing the clock assembly. There you will find (if memory servs) a number of light bulb holders. One of these is RED. This is in fact a fuse. Replace this from the stealership. And you should be back in business.

If I get a chance I will double check on one of my vehicles and let you know. But I am sure I am right.

Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com

PS. These fuses are fitted diffenitely to the 190'S.

 

[NormanB]

230TE - PANEL ILLUMINATION

Thanks Andy

I am on the case. Will feedback idc.

NormanB

 

[NormanB]

230TE - PANEL ILLUMINATION

Yippeeeeeee!

Andy - You were exactly right.

Replaced red fuse thingy (odd looking thing) and hey presto 12V supply restored and the console lights function. (I cannot wait until it gets dark so I can go out and look - hee hee)

For completeness I will try to amend my original posting so that it is obvious for future reference.

Once again thanks to everyone and especially Andy.

 

[barbeast]

sorry to drag this up, but i guess i have similar problem.

The centre console lights have never worked to my knowledge so i didnt notice them, however about a week ago i turned on the lights and hey presto they were all there. About 5 minutes later they went off again.

the switch lights above work and the fan control lights work

but not the temperature wheels or the lights around the fan control to show fan speed and and position of vents.

any suggestions i figuire its wiring, but could it be the fuse, if so how easy is it to get the instrument panel off and the heater control panel off?

 

[NormanB]

Hi barbeast -

I used to be too - but I'm out of practice!

But back to your problem - are you talking about similar vehicle to mine 1989 230TE?

In the meanwhile and while it is dark pop out put on the side lights and try turning the potentiometer to see what effect that has on the panel lights (the potentiometer doubles up as the odometer reset when you press it in).

This is the first step (also does yr ashtray light and gear selector light work?)