Steve Hitch

All gauges on my 83 300SD have stopped working, first started intermittently then got worst until it no longer works. Warning lights at the bottom and clock still work, Need help to find if it is electrical input or the instrument cluster itself. Would appreciate any help to determine source of problem.

optimusprime m1

I would start with pulling out the console , May be the fuse in the rear as blown, or the main multi plug on the rear is not pushed in right .

optimusprime m1

Remove the cluster and look in to the rear of the dashboard you will see a bunch of light brown wires bolted to the body .Remove the bolt clean the area back to shiny metal .Add a dab of grease refit .Then pop it all back try it again. But while you in there plug the multi pin wire plug back in place tight . Mind you put all the bulb holders back in the right place .Mark them up before you remove them .I dont think it is possible to do this earth strap clean up job with the cluster in place . You also have a fuse in the cluster it looks like a bulb , its not ,its a fuse and may have red or white holder ..While speed o cable is off give it a spot of oil before this to is fitted back..

Steve Hitch

I went out today and mysteriously the gauges all worked, for about 20 min. I did notice that the a/c fan ran much faster and the a/c air was cooler. this sounds like it could be a bad ground, i'll check.

Steve Hitch

Thanks Optimus, I cleaned all the grounds I could find, cleaned and pressed in the plugs on the back of the panel, and works again, at least for now, time will tell
Again yhanks.