E320 Dash Light Replacement

[TwoBlackDog]

Dash light left-most side of dash is out. How to remove dash to access light socket and replace? Need special tools, if so, what are they? Many thanks.

[jays vdub]

i work at a benz dealer and there is a special tool to remove it just be careful when taking it out of cracking the plastic, call your local dealership the parts guy should know what it is good luck

[pkmaven]

Originally Posted by jays vdub

i work at a benz dealer and there is a special tool to remove it just be careful when taking it out of cracking the plastic, call your local dealership the parts guy should know what it is good luck

The Special Tool, available (pair) at any MB parts window, will allow you to insert on both sides of the plastic pod, between it and the dash, allows you to turn and gently but firmly pull forward. It's a friction fit. Tool part number:140 589 02 33 00. P.

[greystone]

Originally Posted by jays vdub

i work at a benz dealer and there is a special tool to remove it just be careful when taking it out of cracking the plastic, call your local dealership the parts guy should know what it is good luck

Say Jays, I just got a 2000 E320 and am having trouble seeing the dash lights at all in daytime. You know-- the led box with odometer, and trip meter, and all the little messages that are supposed to be useful, but totally unreadable in any sunlight. Is there an upgraded set of brighter bulbs I can get for this?

Thanks in advance. Greystone, Austin, TX

[MB tech]

Sounds like the bulb's are blown in the message board. They should actually light up brighter in the day than they do at night. I do not think that anyone makes these in a brighter bulb either. You can pull the cluster out and check if they are blown there are clear and red bulbs for the display.
Hope this helps

[greystone]

Originally Posted by MB tech

...They should actually light up brighter in the day than they do at night. ..

MBTech: Thanks for the tip. I took the car into a local MB dealer and had them look at it to see if there was something out of whack. Seemed normal to them, so I asked to see another 2000 on the lot and compare the displays. Exactly the same. I cannot believe people who buy into the quality of MB would not have been more vocal about this particular bug. My tan interior reflects so much glare back onto the instrument glass that it is almost dangerous to try getting the correct angle with your head to see the odometer and trip information. Polarized sunglasses actually make it worse-- AND polarized lenses make the radio LCD screen completely unreadable. Grrrr. Great car with little bugs.