W210 Instrument Cluster Lighting

[muzzere320]

Whist doing another job I took the oppotunity to try and identify which bulb had failed in the instrument cluster. Getting the unit out was pretty straight forward following the excellent posting by Blobcat in the DIY section

I examined all the bulbs and could not find one which had blown so I checked to make sure they were all properly located and reinstalled the instruments. I now have two problems instead of one, firstly the instrument lighting still has one bulb not working, secondly the information display the centre at the bottom of the cluster which houses the odometer, clock etc. is now unlit although it is still functioning

Any Ideas?

Cheers

 

[Parrot of Doom]

For the price of the bulbs, I'd just order a job lot and replace all of them.

Also check the PCB and examine for dry joints.

 

[muzzere320]

Well I'm puzzled,

Had to drive to Warrington today on the drive up no illumination on the information panel. About two minutes after starting the car for the drive back it lit up as normal and has lit up ok on the 4 subsequent starts good news but I can't figure out why. The first problem remains but I'll follow Parrot's advice and replace the lot

Cheers

 

[jberks]

Bulb holders tend to contact by pressing on the metal strip on the pcb. Over time the vibration acuses the pcb contact to wear through, causing intermittent failures. This is especially true after it's disturbed.
I'd certainly replace all bulbs as old ones tend to dim so you end up with bright spots on the dash if you just replace one. Change them all and the dash looks new again. Plus if one goes, the others wont be far behind.

As far as the contacts are concerned, make sure they are clean, ensure the bulb holders make a proper contact and if it is very worn, try not twisting the holder in quite as much so it contacts further round, or pack it with a bit of tim foil to make a larger contact area.

 

[muzzere320]

Thanks for that - a little job to do before we go on holiday

Cheers

 

[Brucey]

No problems with the instrument console but it looks like I need to replace a bulb/s in the centre console - the top left hand section of the unit is now dark, and I think I've also got a problem with the lighting in and around the lighting switch/vent tumbler on the nearside (car is LHD)

Can anyone give me a clue as to how difficult it is to DIY?

W210 E220CDI face lift

 

[MIW615]

Had the same fault with my W210 - sometimes it would be okay then it wouldn't - it was the printed circuit board - had a mobile specialist come out and repaired the PCB - called speedo fixer ........www.SpeedoFixer.com