Console lighting W124

[MotardMan]

I discovered that I have some blown bulbs in my console at the weekend. They are the ones that light the fan and air distribution knobs. Does anyone know what the spec for these is and where to get them on line?

At least it is only a case of pulling the knobs off (oooh er) to replace them. I took the working ones and swapped them into the surround lighting sockets, as these are harder to get to (2 more screws to remove!).

Regards,

Jim

 

[Orlando 300E]

I think all mine blew in sympathy for whichever one went first! ?Even all the ones that back light the vent grille adjusters.

I think you are probably best going to the dealer for this one. No I am not mad or made of money, mine sold them to me at less than 50p each (seem to remember them being 20-30p each, but not sure).
The dealers ones are probably made by Bosch, same ones in a blister pack of 2, in Halfords -a couple of quid. Really peeves the parts guy off when I go in for one & pay by Visa :lol: .

Cheers for now
O

 

[jaymanek]

Yes the ones in the local motor factors usually blow pretty quick due to them being slightly different spec. And as mentioned, cheaper at the dealer.

 

[igh]

Dashboard Lights

I thought all mine had blown but found that the dimmer (the trip reset button) simply needed a tweak.

 

[MotardMan]

I think the actuasl bulb that lights the dash is gone, I cant see the light in the odometer for instance and twiddling the dimmer makes no difference. I just ordered the bulbs for the dash and the heater controls, thety were about £1.20 each! I have ordered 4 for the ehater as the otrhers will blow about a week after I have the thing apart to replace the 2 not working

How do I get at the speedo and rev counter lighting then? :?

 

[jaymanek]

1.20!!!!!!!

Oh well, im sure they were abt 30p each!


Anyway, did all the bulbs go at once??? Doubt its the bulbs in that case, most likely ure dimmer switch. If the switch works by turning the mileage reset button, then get to it by pushing the dash clock unit out from underneath. The switch is on the back of the clock unit. That switch tends to rust up.
If the switch is seperate to the clock, then i have had no experience!

Thanks

Jay

 

[Spike]

If all the bulbs have gone, you might find that the *white* tipped bulb has blown inside your instrument panel. This *special* bulb acts as a fuse for all the others in a similar way to ones on a christmas tree.

[edit] Norman's right, it's red in colour not white

 

[NormanB]

On my motor I had helluva problem with this - got to the bottom of it with the help of Andy G.

You need to order the instrument panel fuse its a sort of funny looking thing, mine was red in colour. You need to pull the instrument panel to get at it.

 

[MotardMan]

Symptoms

The problem is this:

2 out of the 4 bulbs in the heater controls were dead. The dead ones were 1 in the RHS vent position indicator, 1 in the fan knob. I pulled the dead ones and used the good ones to test the sockets where the bad bulbs were. They worked. So I have voltage at all 4 of the bulb sockets.

I tested the dimmer whilst I could see the bulbs in the heater control panel, and they dim as you adjust the dimmer. So the dimmer is working.

I do not seem to have any lights in the speedo or rev counter though, so I guess it must be the bulb(s)? Or the fuse you mention Norman. Is it the kind of fuse you can check visibly, or do you have to buy one and hope?

Best,

Jim

 

[NormanB]

Hi Jim

Sorry I read your original post incorrectly.

The fact that you have working lamps at the Heater Control Panel and louvre control wheels CONFIRMS that the fuse at the back of the instrument panel is OK.

However, your instrument lamps are certainly duff and if you want to sort them you need to pull the cluster. It is no big deal just needs a bit of care.
I am sure it has been covered on the forum before but basically there are 2 approaches remove under panel and push it out from the back (if mechanical speedo you may need to disconnect at transmission) or I did it making tools from from dry cleaning coat hangars to the pattern of the Merc Tools. You need to be sure you have engaged the 'correct grooves' on each side of the cluster and with firm and increasing pressure it just pops out. I managed to do mine with sterring wheel in place.

When you get it out replace every ****** bulb! (and the fuse - just in case its tired).

I will have a look and see if I can get some forum piccys for you.

NormanB

PS: Yiiiiipppppppppppppeeeeeeeeeee found the bugger:

http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php3?s=&threadid=32102

 

[NormanB]

bump

Hi
Noticed your were back in 'circulation'.
How did yoou get on with this one!

 

[jaymanek]

Hi,

The key that is displayed on the link. That is about a fiver from MB.

There is a guy on eby who sells them, they usually sell for over fifteen quid!

Do not buy from ebay!


Jay

 

[MotardMan]

Hi All,

I'm back! I got to sit in ther car in the dark, and can confirm that the dash lighting is AOK! It appears to be lit from the top of the binnacle, and not backlit, as I had assumed....... 8)

So, all I need to do is replace the 2 bulbs in the dials and I am away!

Thank you all for your help, much appreciated as ever.

Best,

Jim