Hello everyone. I have three questions:

1. Has anyone ever replaced the backlighting for the graphics above the exterior light switch (which is to the lower left of the steering wheel)? If so, how is this done?

2. Does anyone know if the outside temperature LCD on the instrument cluster is back lit with a bulb that can be replaced, or is the LCD self lit - needing replacement of the LCD itself? Note: I can still see the temperature, but faintly.

3. Has anyone ever replaced the backlighting for the red/blue HVAC buttons between the center vents? If so, please describe. Per other posts regarding replacement of the thumbwheel lighting - I am assuming that the small glove box above the vents needs removal, but what takes place from there?

Thank you, JD.

 

As an update to my question 1 a post on another board revealed that the knob is able to be removed by pulling it out - and underneath will be a screw - an below there a plastic board with the bulb.

 

Hi,
the outside temperature LCD bulb can be changed but you have to take out the whole instrument cluster. Pretty expensive unless you can do it yourself.

 

It shouldn't be that exspensive for a skilled mechanic it should be under an hour all up:

http://v12uberalles.com/instrument_cluster_removal.htm

 

Hi,
I was just referring to having to pay almost 100 USD (hourly rate from MB here) for changing a bulb that in itself is only a couple of bucks.

 

does anyone know if a mercedes dealer parts department sells the tools needed to remove the cluster - or are they proprietary and given strickly to dealers only?

if available - generally - how much do the tools run?



ALSO - just to be clear on which red and blue graphics I am referring to - I posted a pic below. Please let me know if the red and blue are back lit when your exterior lights are on. Thank you.

 

Tools on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GENUI...spagenameZWDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...spagenameZWDVW

The lights is black in mine to but I think there should be lights there.

 

wow that price is right! thanks for the links.

 

hello again everyone. they say a picture is worth 1000 words. these are the graphic i was referring to above the light knob. back lit or not? strange enough, i was picking up a new remote key at the dealer today and asked one of the service writers and they said that it is not. i find this hard to believe. thanks.

 

Mine isn't HOWEVER I have a few lights out as I have no light on the blue/red buttons like you do or my outside temp in the cluster so I'd be interested to know also.

HOLD ON

YES the symbols above the knob are backlit but my knob is not should it be?

 

dealer is telling me the symbols above the knob do not light. maybe ill check out another dealer. also funny, the lights that you mention that are out in your w140 are the same exact ones that are out in mine!

 

There is light there. The bulb is tricky to change and a little hard to find. I removed the airvent and the cluster to change it. I guess you can remove the panel under but I don´t know how so I remowed the things the I know how to. The bulb is placed from the side a k\little over the switch for the steering wheel.

 

what i got from another board: http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforu...d.php?t=206247

check out wbrian63's post.

 

try otto.ie

 

To update:

I have replaced a few of the abovementioned bulbs.

1. To get to the bulbs behind the air vent thumbwheels, you must remove the center upper storage box, the center air vents, and within the opening you'll find two twist off bulbs. Didn't realize it at the time, but the bulbs I obtained from the dealer were 'clear' whereas the ones burnt out had an amber tint to them, so I took a magic marker to touch up the ones from the dealer, and I replaced.

2. The red and blue graphics between the center vents DO have a replaceable bulb. You must disassemble the center air vent assembly. If holding the vents horizontally on the top of it there is a center vertical shaft that holds the circuit board for the two buttons between the vent. All you have to is press from the bottom up and the circuit board pops up out of the air vent assembly. Once out you will notice the bulb (one bulb). I used a tweezers to pull it out and I replaced (bulb purchased from Auto Barn).

3. I bought tools to remove the instrument cluster from eBay. Cluster popped out without a problem. My instrument cluster is the 1992 - 1994 model that has a non digital odometer and a digital outside temp display. To my dismay, upon removal I learned that my version does not have a readily removable bulb for the outside temp display, but that it is soldered in, and it seems that to remove the bulb I would have needed to disassemble the entire cluster. Thus, I put it all back together and just left as it w/o backlighting for the temp display. Very upsetting!

4. At one point I needed to replace a faulty brake switch, and in doing so needed to remove the knee bolster below the steering wheel. While open, I looked to see if I could find any bulbs for the graphics above the headlamp switch, but was unable to see any way of gaining access to the area above the switch (where I believe the bulb(s) would be). I need another go at it from the top (removing the speaker and drivers side air vent - but that's for another time).

Only remaining issue, I cannot get the center glove box back in properly. I get it back in, I am able to press the button to open it once, but then the button no longer works and gets stuck in a 'de-pressed' position. Somehow I cannot seem to figure out how to get the whole system working again, which is not cool. If anyone has experienced the same and knows exactly how to replace properly let me know.

Thanks, J.