On my way to work today i all my instument cluster lights came on (warning
lights) and are staying on, includes reserve light even though i have a full tank. this happened to anyone else? to me i'm leaning towards a ground problem by chance? any experience with this from anyone would be greatly apreciated, not sure if it's a known problem or not. Thanks in advance.

 

same thing happened to me, replaced the alternator and fixed the issue.

 

yup, mine did the same thing before the alternator gave up, and if it is the alternator for sure, your battery will die pretty soon if you just keep using the car

 

YUP, tested it at work and it's for sure the altenator. thanks for the push in the right direction. i just hate working on my own car .... i know these things run a 90 amp altenator, i have a 120 amp altenator in there now which is looking nearly impossible to track down, i have my parts guy at work here looking for one right now. being saterday does not help me either.

 

Yep thats your alternator!! Good thing you posted because in the next few days you will be left stranded with a dead battery.

 

yea, i charged my battery at work before i left yesterday so i could get home, even brought a booster pack in case. in somewhat better news i was able to track down a 110 amp altenator for tuesday that will fit. Last thing i feel like doing is replacing the tensioner so i hope it's still in good working order . thanks again for the help. Being a vw tech i must admit one thing, i really hate work on mercedes , well at least my own as i mentioned

Just to add on, i must admit, there was some good technology put into these cars. when my altenator went, it even turned off my drl's to save on power. i never woulda thought a 15 year old car would do this, specially pre obd2

 

I need help as well, I have recently purchased a 1995 E280 (W124), I have had it about 4 weeks, but the other day I took it out at night for the first time, and I have no instrument lights, all the cabin lights, sun visors lights etc work, but no cluster lights, fuse has been checked and it is Ok.

Any ideas.

 

might be a dumb sudgestion, but it took me a while to figure out on my own. have you tried turning your dimmer knob on the instument cluster itself. It's the black knob to the lower left of the speedo ( your trip reset knob)

 

Not dumb at all, just gone out and tried it...You are a star..Thank you.

 

not a problem, glad to help