Outside Temperature Readout Needs Illuminating
09-11-2005, 01:10 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Covington, WA
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'96 SL600, '05 S55 AMG, '06 C230
Outside Temperature Readout Needs Illuminating
I've had this problem on a *pair* of '94 MB's...
In the dashboard of either a '94 S320 or SL500, there is the Outside Temperature Readout. It's (of course) digital and sits in the center/bottom of the dashboard. Normally, this readout displays digits in a light orange color. The readout has suddenly dimmed to a barely perceivable level. The intensity of the digits is the same, whether in daylight or night; headlights on or off. If you look carefully, you can see that the temperature is displayed - and it's accurate - just very dim; almost dark.
Being a technical guy, my curiosity was aroused and I took the dash out and removed the readout display box. Inside, there is a very small light bulb directly behind the digital display. With the readout display box out of the dash, I can not tell if the bulb is good. But it appears the bulb is what makes the digits "bright". The bulb is soldered in place and is NOT a standard replaceable item.
Question - Has anyone ever replaced this bulb, and if so, what are the basic specifications for the bulb?
Considering the readout is displaying the correct temperature, just dimly, I really do not want to pay MB the ridiculously high price for replacing the display, if it is reading out correctly.
In the dashboard of either a '94 S320 or SL500, there is the Outside Temperature Readout. It's (of course) digital and sits in the center/bottom of the dashboard. Normally, this readout displays digits in a light orange color. The readout has suddenly dimmed to a barely perceivable level. The intensity of the digits is the same, whether in daylight or night; headlights on or off. If you look carefully, you can see that the temperature is displayed - and it's accurate - just very dim; almost dark.
Being a technical guy, my curiosity was aroused and I took the dash out and removed the readout display box. Inside, there is a very small light bulb directly behind the digital display. With the readout display box out of the dash, I can not tell if the bulb is good. But it appears the bulb is what makes the digits "bright". The bulb is soldered in place and is NOT a standard replaceable item.
Question - Has anyone ever replaced this bulb, and if so, what are the basic specifications for the bulb?
Considering the readout is displaying the correct temperature, just dimly, I really do not want to pay MB the ridiculously high price for replacing the display, if it is reading out correctly.
