W124 Instrument Panel (and I have searched the forum!)

[musunge]

Hello from the proud new owner of a 320TD 7Seater estate.

What a lot of helpful information on removing the instrument panel on my 320E. I'm ready to give it a go. But there is one thing I am not quite sure of, even now...

One of the panel illumination lights is not working, and I can't read the fuel gauge at night! I think I am happy to make the tools and pull the panel, but do I have to disconnect the speedo cable at the transmission end first? That looks quite fiddly, and needs removal of a lot of rubber splash quards etc.
I wondered if there was enough slack to pull the panel far enough forward to get at the bulb holders, which are presumably on the top....
Oh, and if I get that far, are the bulbs easily available? Is the wattage critical?

I promise not to bother you all again for ages. I've got a Haynes W124 manual now and there's enoiugh there to keep me happy for ages.

 

[190]

You should be able to remove the binnacle enough to get your hand behind it to unscrew the Speedo cable [if fitted] if there is not enough slack on the cable go under the bonnet and push the cable into the inside of the bulkhead thus giving more slack inside the car, the bulbs are easy to come by any accessory shop should stock them and yes wattage is important

 

[Klaus Fluoride]

Speedo cable

I got mine out without undoing the speedo cable pretty easily. There's enough room to get in behind and unthread the cable, little bit trickier getting it back on though.

Klaus Fluoride
Adelaide, Australia
1987 230E