STLe320

I get in my 94 e320...and i realize that i'm about 50 miles from home and i have no dash lights, window control lights, and just about everything on my dash including the sun roof button. I checked my fuses to see which one it is...and i can't figure it out...is it even a fuse, or something else?

crr1612

your mileage reset button is also a dimmer. rotate that ***** to the right

STLe320

tried that...and nothing. i also tried checked the fuse for it, and it was fine. I researched on here and found nothing...besides the rheostat...or whatever. But where is it to find it?

I just put new wheels on today...could that have something to do with it? For some reason, my dad thinks it may

mbnz

same problem happened to me about a year ago.
Putting new wheels has nothing to do with it.

the rheostat is the dimmer. This is probably the cause.

What you have to do is pull out the instrument cluster and either replace the rheostat or fix it. With mine, a metal part of the rheostat was off, so I re-soldered it. And because the rheostat is on the left side, I didn't have to disconnect all the lines (but you do have to disconnect the speedo cable). Otherwise it is like $60 for the part from MB.

It could also be a small red fuse located behind the speedometer. Again you have to pull out the dash and disconnect all the vacuum lines to get to it. That part cost about $5.

There is a good procedure on how to do this on mercedesshop.com. There are several links. Check them out at http://mercedesshop.com/shopforum/sh...t=dash+removal

Follow it, and be careful when you pull out the dash otherwise you may crack the whole thing.

I am not handy myself and I was able to do it. But you need the dash removal tools. They cost about $20 on ebay.

good luck.

STLe320

So the rheostat is located behind the dash?

mbnz

yeah, it is behind the instrument cluster.

the rheostat is the knob you turn when you dim the lights or reset the mileage. You can only access it from behind, that is why you have to pull out the instrument cluster. A shop will probably charge you an hour labour plus parts. But you can do it yourself.

It also can be a small red fuse that needs changing, but check the rheostat first. You will likely see a metal strip detached that needs to be re-soldered, or you can always change it with a new one.

This link will get you started:

http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforu...d.php?p=176202

Make sure you unhook the speedo cable clip under the mat, or otherwise you will not be able to pull out the instrument cluster far enough. It is discussed in the above link.

Also, check out this link on removal: http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforu...d.php?p=447830

STLe320

so i got in my car today....and they worked!
who knows...haha

carlson03

I had this problem once...it was after I reset my mileage, turns out, the screw came out of the back and it pushed the switch out so the metal contacts weren't making a connection. Pushed it back in, got a better screw, worked good. This is kinda unusual, but a small, easy fix.

Brodie

Don't like to bump an old thread but....

I have the same problem with my 500E, no interior lights, except the dome lights come on as required, all the warning lights come on, and the turn signal lights illuminate as needed in the gauge cluster. My stereo is aftermarket and lights up just fine. But no HVAC, mirror switches, gearchange, gauge lights

I've done everything mentioned in this thread but no joy. Any other ideas?

Brodie

I figured it out....

Okay, since my car came with an european gauge cluster the import company had to put a US one in there, apparently the connections aren't all the same on those so a lot of "adaptation" had to take place behind the cluster, well, one of the connections coming off one of the many plugged in wires in the back had come loose, once that was sorted all was well.