Dash board light out?!?!

[Nimz]

okay i have a 1989 merc-benz and it's a 300E, . i was driving at night, and realiex that one of the lights on the dash board went out. not all the light's but just one, the one that lights up the fuel level and the temp guage and stuff. the speedometer light and the right's part of the dash are lit up.
i was just wondering if u can replace the bulb yrself, how would i go about doing it.
Please help
Nimz

[pkmaven]

To replace instrument cluster lights you will need a "special tool" available from any MB parts window. They have black plastic grips and stainless wire-like, crochet hook-like, shafts that slide between the vinyl and the side of the plastic instrument pod. The tiny hooked ends allow you to pull the intrument pod straight out because it is only friction fitted. The bulbs are then easily to replace. Some owners have used filed down coat hangers but the real tool is very small wire gauge and doesn't damage the vinyl or the plastic. P.

[Benzaholic]

Instead of using the nifty tools, you can just push the dash out from behind. Should be able to push it out enough to climb back topside to disconnect the speedometer cable.

You should not need to worry about removing the steering wheel.

But the light I think you're describing may not have its own bulb. It may use a clear plastic "light pipe". It should be obvious once you get in there.

[Amahoser]

I know this is late but I hope this will be of help to anyone searching for this info on the net....Like me...

Just pulled the instrument cluster on my 1990 300TE. YEs, the instrument cluster is held in by friction.

To access it:

Remove the lower panel by:
- remove the 3 8mm bolts on the bottom side of the panel
- There are TWO screws holding the parking brake handle. One can be seen by looking under it. The other can be seen by pulling the handle. Remove these.
- Remove the topb steering wheel shroud piece (small trim piece that sits on top of the steering wheel) by pulling it up.
- Under the black trim pieces that house the headlight switch and the ignition switch are more 8mm bolts. To remove these trim pieces, slightly pry up the left side and push the trim piece to the right. Remove the bolts under these.

The lower dash should no be free. Pull it down

You can now get a few fingers behind the instrumentr cluster to push it free.


Jose Soriano