REPLACING INSTRUMENT PANEL BULBS - How to remove the Instrument Cluster?

[bpaulus]

Would love to see the finished product, my 97 e420 has the same problem so i was thinking of updating to LED as well

To remove this ad, register today or login if you already are registered!

[onyxblue97]

Would love to see pics of the finished product and the Instrument Cluster lit up at night with the LEDs...

You didn't change the color I'm assuming.

btw does the dimming feature still work with the LEDs?

Thanks for the write up......

[tbone006]

Ta - Da !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally .. i got all the correct size bulbs and installed. I had to use a shorter wedge bulb for the Left side Instrument. But
- YES i changed color of main instrument panel to BLUE & lower milage area to RED
- I cant find "dimmer" control on my dash ???? Where is it ????
- I am still trying to find a bulb that will fit to replace behind my AC/Heating controls

Thanks again to RAY as he has been very helpful with lending correct tools to pry cluster free & tons of great advice. Thanks to everyone else on this forum who has shared their experience & knowledge to assist me!

[toby1]

Well done. Looks good!

[raymond g-]

Originally Posted by tbone006

<....>- I cant find "dimmer" control on my dash ???? Where is it ???? <....>

[tbone006]

hahaha...thanks Ray! Like most things in Life ... it was staring me right in the face and i didnt see it

[tbone006]

YES - LED bulbs do dim with controls !!! Funny coz i also did the bulbs in my GMC Dually and they will not dim .. but it has the real old school "twist" knob as a dimmer?
Just an FYI - aloha!

[tbone006]

Thanks Toby i am stoked it turned out better than i expected!

Originally Posted by toby1

Well done. Looks good!

[mattrox1221]

Originally Posted by tbone006

Ta - Da !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally .. i got all the correct size bulbs and installed. I had to use a shorter wedge bulb for the Left side Instrument. But
- YES i changed color of main instrument panel to BLUE & lower milage area to RED
- I cant find "dimmer" control on my dash ???? Where is it ????
- I am still trying to find a bulb that will fit to replace behind my AC/Heating controls

Thanks again to RAY as he has been very helpful with lending correct tools to pry cluster free & tons of great advice. Thanks to everyone else on this forum who has shared their experience & knowledge to assist me!

Where did you find the LEDs for this?? i have been looking all over and i can not find the correct size that will fit in my cluster. all of my bulbs are the smaller tan kind, i don't have any of the bigger bulbs.
heres some pics of the bulbs i have.


They are all the small tan, none of the larger yellow or blue ones.


oh and by the way this LED Bulb will replace the one behind the ac unit if you haven't found one yet.

[tbone006]

mattrox1221
OK - this is the site i got my LED bulbs off for my dash/instrument panel. There are the Mini-Wedge & Twist Lock that are for the Benzo's. Let me know if you have any other questions - good luck & keep us posted!!
~t-bone~

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...sp=%2F1157.htm

[tbone006]

Additional Info from that LED site


WLED Miniature Wedge Base bulbs with High Power SMD LEDs - 360 type
T3-1/4 (#194/168) type bulbs with High Power SMD. Wide Angle LEDs radially mounted emitting 360 degrees. 12 Volt DC operation.
Replaces: 194, 158, 168, 12256, 12961
*** I used the WP5 for teh Left side of Speedo area & WP9 for Right side ...left side doesnt have the clearance that the right side does..need to use shorter buld ..but it still puts out PLENTY of light !! : )

Then just correlate the twist locks with the size that you are replacing (stock)