moayes

The right-side background light, right where the clock is on the instrument cluster is went off. It is dark and you can barely read the clock.
The left half of the LCD screen in bright and has the background light. Sometimes the light comes back on, but it went off again. This happened before - awhile ago - and I tapped the covering glass in front of the cluster and the light came back. But this time, it doesn't work.
I was wondering
1. Has it happened to anybody else too?
2. Is it because of a loose wire connection behind the cluster?
3. Or it is because of a bad lamp?

I know how to remove the cluster (http://www.edsoto.com/e320/w210/disa...nter_step5.htm), but it is too much work and risk (breaking other parts, since the car is old and plastics are brittle). Has anybody ever removed the cluster? Is it worth to do it?

Thanks,

nelbur

There is a mini bulb that lights up the clock. It is likely burned out, although it is possible that the connection of the bulb is bad. Either way, you need to pull out the instrument cluster and replace the bulb. The vidio you referenced is NOT the way to remove the cluster. There are special wire hooks designed to hook behind the cluster and simply pull it out of the dash. There is no need to unhook any wiring.

Extend and lower the steering wheel as far as it will go. Slide the hooks in about 2" where thefake wood meets the cluster and slide the wire down to the widest part of the cluster. rotate the hooks in toward the cluster and pull the cluster out. It is a tight pressed fit, but only friction holds it in. The minibulb you are looking for is one of three with a tan base just behind the temp., odometer, and clock. When you buy the hooks from the dealer, you might also want to get the keys used to remove the radio and climate control, and get a tan base minibulb as well.

saintz

If you search for "coat hanger" you can find how to make your own hooks for removal.

moayes

nelbur: Thanks!

saintz: That's what I was thinking!! And I made the radio removal tool with a tweezer!!!! - extra large one of course - I broke it into two parts, and removed the radio!!!

moayes

I eventually made it; took the instrument cluster out.
There are two white light bulbs out. I couldn't find a local store for replacements. Does anybody know of an online website?
There are so many websites out there, I don't know any of them, and simply do not trust them.

Thanks,

P.S. The dealer doesn't sell light bulb replacements. Instead, they will do the whole thing for me, if I want (taking the instrument cluster out, checking and replacing burnt bulbs) = $ 105 laber + $ 25 light bulbs replacement.

Sathinas

If the bulb is bad and you have the cluster out, you might as well replace all of the bulbs, IMHO.

ohlord

they can't refuse to sell you bulbs and no way are they 25bucks.
Ever

If no dealer near you you can get bulbs at www.autohausaz.com
color of base indicates position.

nelbur

I'm guessing that what you call a white bulb is really tan. You should be able to take one to your dealers parts dept. and buy them. I bought mine from a local Autohaus independent shop and paid abt $9 each. I did not replace all the bulbs as I doubt the red based mini bulbs will ever burn out, but I did replace all three of the tan based mini bulbs. Go to your dealer's parts department, not the service department.

moayes

www.germanautoparts.com

Beige base is $ 0.98 !!! (http://www.germanautoparts.com/Merce...2/8873/6951296)
There are totally 19 bulbs, I guess, and I'm not gonna replace them all, either. This website is actually a warehouse and located close to me, so I'm going to pick up. Glad to find it and thanks for your comments.

The red ones on mine are also still in good shape, but since there may be a brightness difference between new and old one, I replace all three behind the clock, odometer and temp.

Thanks all

bmroxm5

I've had the same problem, the links you've posted are useful!

In addition though, one of the bulbs under my tacho has gone out... around where the 2 or 3 is, is dimmer than the rest of the tacho - anyone know which bulb this is???

thanks.