W201 Dash Light Problem

[jdsbellis]

Hi
I am a new member of this forum and have recently bought a 1989 190D.
When I turn my lights on the dashboard, heater controls and elec windows buttons do not light up.
On other forums I have read about rheostat switches that means pulling the instrument cluster out. Could it be that or could it be a fuse/relay?

Also my passenger door does not lock/unlock from the drivers key where as all other doors do. If I use the key in the passenger door then all the other doors lock/unlock. Any ideas?

I have also noticed that my boot does not lock at all, is there anything I can do?

Finally does anyone know anywhere where electric window switches can be bought cheaply as I need the drivers side dual buttons and two singles for the rear of the car.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
James:-(

 

[jdsbellis]

W201 Dash Lights

I have had no responses from you all.
This is my third 190 and the other two had no problems like this at all.
I have repeatedly turned the dimmer switch and the dash lights do not come on.
James

 

[turnipsock]

On W124s the instrument lights are fed from fuse 9. Also on this circuit is the clock and hazard warning lights.

If the clock is working, it's probably the switch that is at fault. It may be that a wire feeding the illumination of a switch has shorted out and burnt out the dimmer switch.

 

[jdsbellis]

W201 190D Dash Light Problem

Hi Turnipsock thanks for your reply.
I have had a fiddle this afternoon and taken a rheostat and all bulbs even for the heater controls from another W201 that works.
I tried the dash lights and they still did not work.
I then checked my fuses and saw that number 14 had blown.
I replaced it, turned on the lights and it immediately blew.
Replaced it again, opened the door turned on the lights, the warning buzzer came on for a second and then it blew again.
Is there anything simple you can think of or is it a job for an auto electrician.
Thanks
James

 

[ALAN@ECUCLINIC]

there is a dead short to ground somewhere
i would check the door pin switch,,,ok
change the fuse,but keep your drivers door pin switch "shut"
turn on the lights
if fuse hasnt blown ,release door pin, if it blows then, take out the door pin switch and see if there is a bare wire
its just a thought!

 

[turnipsock]

There is something shorting out somewhere.

It may an auto electrician a while to find the fault so it could be costly.

You could try putting a 12V bulb in the circuit, instead of a fuse. If the bulb glows at normal brightness, it means you have a short somewhere.

With this in place you can poke around and see if anything makes the bulb go out. If it does, then your problem will be around there.

The problem may be in around the door switch, there are also wires that run into the door that move around a lot.

 

[jdsbellis]

Thanks for your replys.
I have replaced the fuse twice today and tried turning the lights on with the door open and shut and it still blew at the first flick of the light switch.
James

 

[turnipsock]

12V bulb instead of a fuse...you will save a lot of time and fuses.

 

[jdsbellis]

Thanks for all your help and replys.
I have solved the problem.
I noticed that the cigarette lighter should illuminate and that there was no cabling going to it. I checked on my other 190 to see what I should be looking for and went back to the other car and found the three cables had been cut and were touching together. I separated the cables and now it is all ok.
I still have a problem with my passenger door but will open a new thread.
James:grin:

 

[turnipsock]

Good stuff.

I would cover the ends with tape just to be safe.

 

[jdsbellis]

Hi Turnipsock
I took the bulb etc from my other 190 and joined the cables so it is all good.
Thanks
James