adg44

The right side no longer illuminates on my girlfriend's 97 C280 sport. I assume that there are just two bulbs behind the cluster illuminating it, so how do I go about replacing them?

Thanks.

- Anthony

Zewerr

Did you try just pounding on the dash alittle. Sometimes that gets them to work temporarily.

I believe there's actually 4 backlight bulbs. You'll need to some special hook tools and alot of caution to remove the cluster.

zbaquero

The problem is that even if you get to pull out cluster, the steering wheel gets on the way and wont let you pull it completely, I think you need to remove the steering wheel

sanf

you can remove the complete dash without removing the steering wheel. just play around with it. i did this in my 2000 w202 before. yes, you will need to replace some leds.

adg44

Can you guys give some instructions on how to remove the cluster?

Also, the way it illuminates, it really looks like regular bulbs to me rather than LEDs. Maybe the 2000 is different than our '97.

zbaquero

Sanf, you were totally rigth just playing with the cluster and the steering wheel works, I used two home made wire hooks to pull it out, once out is a matter of moving the steering wheel with the cluster very gently. have the engine turned on so moving the steering is easier

Zewerr

Also make sure the wheel is extended out and down as much as possible.

adg44

OK, but what tools do I need? How many screws are holding it in? What kind of bulbs does it take? Thanks.

zbaquero

if you have a telescopic one, I don't

zbaquero

It does not have any screws, its just there, tight into the dash. cut two 5" wires from a clothe-hanger, bend at 90 degrees a 1/4" hook. you may want to grind it with a mototool or something so you dont scratch your dashboard. Very carefuly insert it between the cluster and the dash on each side of the cluster. Once in push it as deep as you can, turn it so the hook catches the cluster, and pull it from both sides at the same time. make sure the steering wheel is straight at the begining

philkwill

I have a 1997 C280 and that happen to me about 2 years ago. I paid $130 in labor at my local Import shop to replace all the dash bulbs which costed $4 each. Boy was I mad, but I can see!

zbaquero

the bulbs can be bougth at advance autoparts or at autozone, once you have it out, bring the sample and just make sure to use the same watts