W124 dashboard lighting

[westcliff]

My car is a 1994 E320 estate. I have a long-standing problem with the dashboard illumination. The illumination of the head/tail/fog lights switch and the climate control and fan switches doesn't work. All the other interior lighting is fine, including the rear wiper, hazard and interior rear light switches, which are just above the climate and fan switches.

A while ago, driving on a farm track in Scotland, I drove too fast across a cattle grid and all of the non-working lights came on for half a second. I surmised that the lighting problem was caused by a loose connection.

My plan is to remove the centre console panel immediately above the radio and check the connections there. This is the panel holding the climate control, fan and rear wiper, etc switches. I chose this area because the radio has been changed and someone has fitted a Nokia hands-free kit and either of these events may have disturbed one or more connections. Can this panel be removed without major disassembly of the dashboard?

 

[television]

Do the lights work in the cluster on the dimmer

 

[roadhog]

It's been a while since I'd removed mine but if memory serves you have to start at the centre console with the panel that holds the window switches and work your way forward.

The headlamp switch surround is easy enough to get off, carefully pull the know off and undo the nut underneath.

 

[westcliff]

The lights in the cluster do work and the dimmer works as well.

Thanks for the tip roadhog. I'll start with the window switch panel.

 

[television]

We have had arguments before on the headlamp switch, whether it should light up or not .

I say that it does not light up and the only lamp in there is the rear fog lamp one

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GM=717.433&CT=F&cat=15U&SID=54&SGR=640&SGN=17

The heater control panel has bulbs that do blow

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GM=717.433&CT=F&cat=15U&SID=83&SGR=150&SGN=02

 

[westcliff]

Thanks Malcolm, it makes things simpler if I don't have to trace a fault on the headlamp switch. The rear fog indicator lamp is okay.

 

[roadhog]

No need for an argument Malcolm, the headlight switch surround has a light in it. The only time the knob lights up is if you pull it for the rear fog light. On mine anyway.

 

[stumpy]

My headlamp switch lights up but reflects rather annoyingly in the side window at night.

 

[roadhog]

My headlamp switch lights up but reflects rather annoyingly in the side window at night.

That was the first thing I noticed when I replaced the bulb in mine. :neutral:

 

[meanie]

To remove the panel that you want to,remove the 2 screws that sit in it above the radio (you may have to take the radio out to get on them).Next,remove the rotary heater knobs & undo the 2 nuts under them.Pull the trim out from the bottom to approx 45 degrees & it should then pull out from the top.

 

[westcliff]

I was hoping it would be that simple meanie. I don't have rotary heater knobs though, just one temperature setting control and around thirteen push-button switches. I guess that makes it easier?

 

[The Crooner]

I was hoping it would be that simple meanie. I don't have rotary heater knobs though, just one temperature setting control and around thirteen push-button switches. I guess that makes it easier?

Climate control.

Me jealous? Yeah!

I dont even have aircon, but at least my sunroof slides and tilts.

Tony

 

[westcliff]

Climate control.

Me jealous? Yeah!

I dont even have aircon, but at least my sunroof slides and tilts.

Tony

I don't have aircon either, just the switches that should operate it. When I get the lights fixed, fixing the aircon will be my next problem...

 

[meanie]

That does make it easier.

 

[roadhog]

Well I have air con and a sunroof and they both work so ner ner the both of you! :lol:

 

[mikestrivens]

That was the first thing I noticed when I replaced the bulb in mine. :neutral:

I was wondering about this in my car. How did you replace the icon illumination? I know that the little light in the switch for the high intensity rear light is replaced by pulling the knob off. I guess that this has to be done to get to the other bulb.

 

[television]

I would love to know as well how you access this lamp, my late 1989 did not light up, neither did my 1999 SL.

 

[mikestrivens]

I would love to know as well how you access this lamp, my late 1989 did not light up, neither did my 1999 SL.

Well my 1998 SL does light up (and it looks very good with the little icons glowing) and I am sure that my 1993 280TE did originally though not for the last few years. This is what has prompted me to do something about my current 320TE and the S600. I know it is not important but I do things to work as they should.

 

[television]

Well my 1998 SL does light up (and it looks very good with the little icons glowing) and I am sure that my 1993 280TE did originally though not for the last few years. This is what has prompted me to do something about my current 320TE and the S600. I know it is not important but I do things to work as they should.

I am not disputing anything just curious, there is nothing on the EPC for this lamp, is it built into the switch ?, it would be nice to get to the bottom of it once and for all, so someone please say how you change it

 

[mikestrivens]

I am not disputing anything just curious, there is nothing on the EPC for this lamp, is it built into the switch ?, it would be nice to get to the bottom of it once and for all, so someone please say how you change it

Sorry didn't mean to sound like I was disputing. It was only when I bought the SL and the light switch surround had lots of lovely glowing icons that prompted me to wonder why the light panel in my other cars weren't lit up. I am guessing that one has to get the light switch panel off somehow. At the least one would have to remove the rotary knob and perhaps there is another nut behind that that holds the panel on. As it is pi***ing down with rain here I shall use the opportunity to have a look at it.