Dash board lights

[Twigitha]

I have a 1985 280te station wagon. The dashboard lights and the gear box lights are not coming on. I've checked the fuses - not the problem, and the gear box light comes on occasionally which leads me to believe that it's not the bulb. Any suggestions?

 

[NormanB]

It is the potentiometer that sticks out of the instrument cluster, the one you press in to reset the odometer - you also rotate it to change the illumination level of the dash and associated lighting.

Try twiddling it a few times back and forth ( when dark and side lights on).

If not succesful - withdraw cluster and give potentiometer a spray of pot 'clean and lube'.

If this not successful well the pot will need to be replaced - cannot advise further.