Instrument Cluster
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2008 E320 Bluetec, 1987 190e 2.6, 2007 CL600
Instrument Cluster
The light went out in my instrument cluster, just got my windows tinted and it feels like driving in a void lol. It’s very hard to tell my speed at night.
i know I need to replace the bulbs but would like to also know how many there are and some of the “while your in there’s”.
I’ve never removed the instrument cluster before….
i know I need to replace the bulbs but would like to also know how many there are and some of the “while your in there’s”.
I’ve never removed the instrument cluster before….
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Joined: Sep 2021
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From: In the bush on the shores of Lake Nipigon
1990 Mercedes 190E
It would be highly unusual to loose all of your instrument cluster lights all at once. Could it be the fuse 14 which also controls the windshield wipers and some exterior lights. ? I forget but I think there are 3 cluster bulbs. I have had the instrument cluster out of my 190E. The hardest part was disconnecting the speedometer cable from the transmission. There are several harness connections to disconnect but each is unique so not a problem. Be careful removing the cluster from the dash so as not to break the edge with a pry tool if you use that method.
Last edited by LauraS; Oct 13, 2023 at 09:01 PM.
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
In agreement with Laura. Your rheostat that dims the lights might be busted or the fuse is blown inside the dash. I assume the lit up switches around the dash are also kaput. They use fiberoptic to lite up those switches. BTW the bulbs in there last forever, because they are not running very hot. The life expectancy goes way high at lower power for edison/tungsten bulbs.
BTW some just short out the rheostat because no one ever dims the dash lights, they are already not bright enough.
Yeah be careful with pulling the dash as to not break the plastic parts. It is an acquired art and small hands help. The plastic parts are almost impossible to purchase these days.
BTW some just short out the rheostat because no one ever dims the dash lights, they are already not bright enough.
Yeah be careful with pulling the dash as to not break the plastic parts. It is an acquired art and small hands help. The plastic parts are almost impossible to purchase these days.
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2008 E320 Bluetec, 1987 190e 2.6, 2007 CL600
Oh wow! I had no clue you could dim the lights on the instrument cluster. I must have turned it while cleaning and wiping my car down inside.
so false alarm, I had already checked my fuses and all and this car has trained me to panic at the smallest things haha
so false alarm, I had already checked my fuses and all and this car has trained me to panic at the smallest things haha
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
Also buy the instrument cluster you just removed as it is worth having a spare, even for the parts in it. I have 3 of them now including my original which is not in the car any longer.
A cluster was only $60 or so at the junk yard when I bought mine, probably more now.
Last edited by dolucasi; Oct 14, 2023 at 02:41 PM. Reason: typo
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2008 E320 Bluetec, 1987 190e 2.6, 2007 CL600
the triangle between the rear light switch and cluster is cracked, I think the tint guys did it but I’m not upset I have damaged some of my interior trim already over time. I plan to black out the “wood” once I find quality parts.
Sadly we don’t have any 190s in the scrap yards I check every couple weeks but I did almost buy a 93 2.3 for 1000 dollars obo. The dash was immaculate and it had same color interior as my car. I have 1 crinkled door card in the back too
i really hate i had to pass on it, I don’t have space to truly part it out and many other priorities right now
Sadly we don’t have any 190s in the scrap yards I check every couple weeks but I did almost buy a 93 2.3 for 1000 dollars obo. The dash was immaculate and it had same color interior as my car. I have 1 crinkled door card in the back too
i really hate i had to pass on it, I don’t have space to truly part it out and many other priorities right now
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2016
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
the triangle between the rear light switch and cluster is cracked, I think the tint guys did it but I’m not upset I have damaged some of my interior trim already over time. I plan to black out the “wood” once I find quality parts.
Mine just cracked all by itself, spontaneously. It happens. Only plastic crack in my car. Bummed.
Mine just cracked all by itself, spontaneously. It happens. Only plastic crack in my car. Bummed.
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From: In the bush on the shores of Lake Nipigon
1990 Mercedes 190E
I am glad that I am not the only one that has a 190E with cracks in the black plastic dash bits. I think the ones on my car may be weather related when the car gets very cold. Soon will be time to put it away for the winter. The moose unting season began a week ago and I have two cabins rented but after the hunters leave I will get busy.
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2008 E320 Bluetec, 1987 190e 2.6, 2007 CL600
I haven’t resolved my AC issues yet to worry too much about this but the plastic open/close vent levers have both snapped internally.
I don’t recall ever actually breaking them they just sort of collapsed in there. I would like to replace those too but haven’t bothered looking into it yet, the fresh air vents are decent this time of year with moonroof
I don’t recall ever actually breaking them they just sort of collapsed in there. I would like to replace those too but haven’t bothered looking into it yet, the fresh air vents are decent this time of year with moonroof
Last edited by BetterDaze; Oct 14, 2023 at 05:31 PM.
Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 220
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From: In the bush on the shores of Lake Nipigon
1990 Mercedes 190E
The driver side vent lever on mine snapped as well. I stuck it back on with JB Weld and it has held so far after two years or so but I just leave it open anyway.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,378
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
I am glad that I am not the only one that has a 190E with cracks in the black plastic dash bits. I think the ones on my car may be weather related when the car gets very cold. Soon will be time to put it away for the winter. The moose unting season began a week ago and I have two cabins rented but after the hunters leave I will get busy.
At least the driver side vent plastic is still for sale. $128 at AutohausAz. I should probably get a replacement. I can not complain as my original lasted 34 years.
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89 190E 2.6 Blue, 89 190E 2.6, teal green, 99 SL500 Sport
Yep that left side triangle on mine cracked as well about 10 yrs ago. Back then the junkyard still had goodLike ones, so I grabbed and swapped it in.
Not sure if you've all seen plastic welding, it's sort like soldering. That may be the future to repairing plastic pieces, I"m going to look into getting one.
Just like Dolucasi, I've got extra instrument clusters, one complete and one for parts. I usually put the car on ramps, disconnect the speedo cable at transmission, then pull the triangle and push from behind.
That way you won't stretch the speedo cable and cause the bouncy needle problem.
Not sure if you've all seen plastic welding, it's sort like soldering. That may be the future to repairing plastic pieces, I"m going to look into getting one.
Just like Dolucasi, I've got extra instrument clusters, one complete and one for parts. I usually put the car on ramps, disconnect the speedo cable at transmission, then pull the triangle and push from behind.
That way you won't stretch the speedo cable and cause the bouncy needle problem.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 398
1991 190E 2.3
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 398
1991 190E 2.3
I am glad that I am not the only one that has a 190E with cracks in the black plastic dash bits. I think the ones on my car may be weather related when the car gets very cold. Soon will be time to put it away for the winter. The moose unting season began a week ago and I have two cabins rented but after the hunters leave I will get busy.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 398
1991 190E 2.3
I haven’t resolved my AC issues yet to worry too much about this but the plastic open/close vent levers have both snapped internally.
I don’t recall ever actually breaking them they just sort of collapsed in there. I would like to replace those too but haven’t bothered looking into it yet, the fresh air vents are decent this time of year with moonroof
I don’t recall ever actually breaking them they just sort of collapsed in there. I would like to replace those too but haven’t bothered looking into it yet, the fresh air vents are decent this time of year with moonroof
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 398
1991 190E 2.3
The light went out in my instrument cluster, just got my windows tinted and it feels like driving in a void lol. It’s very hard to tell my speed at night.
i know I need to replace the bulbs but would like to also know how many there are and some of the “while your in there’s”.
I’ve never removed the instrument cluster before….
i know I need to replace the bulbs but would like to also know how many there are and some of the “while your in there’s”.
I’ve never removed the instrument cluster before….
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 398
1991 190E 2.3
Yep that left side triangle on mine cracked as well about 10 yrs ago. Back then the junkyard still had goodLike ones, so I grabbed and swapped it in.
Not sure if you've all seen plastic welding, it's sort like soldering. That may be the future to repairing plastic pieces, I"m going to look into getting one.
Just like Dolucasi, I've got extra instrument clusters, one complete and one for parts. I usually put the car on ramps, disconnect the speedo cable at transmission, then pull the triangle and push from behind.
That way you won't stretch the speedo cable and cause the bouncy needle problem.
Not sure if you've all seen plastic welding, it's sort like soldering. That may be the future to repairing plastic pieces, I"m going to look into getting one.
Just like Dolucasi, I've got extra instrument clusters, one complete and one for parts. I usually put the car on ramps, disconnect the speedo cable at transmission, then pull the triangle and push from behind.
That way you won't stretch the speedo cable and cause the bouncy needle problem.
Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 82
Likes: 19
89 190E 2.6 Blue, 89 190E 2.6, teal green, 99 SL500 Sport
Definitely agree I've used a lot of JB Weld on both my cars. The R129 suffers from even more brittle plastics, but there are a lot of 3D printed solutions that are better than the original.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 398
1991 190E 2.3
I've been fortunate to not yet have to deal with any of these issues so I'm open to all solutions. I've been wondering if 3D printing might be an overall solution to the W201 OEM parts shortage in general. Supposedly MB has been using 3D printing for 30 years but it doesn't seem to be showing up in W201 parts availability yet. If I was lucky enough to be an EVO owner, I'd be pretty unhappy about the lack of W201 parts given the ever increasing value of these particular W201 varieties .I keep hoping that the ever increasing EVO values will help to save W201 parts availability for our more mortal W201s.
