TheCow

Lately I start hearing humming sound from the Instrument Panel on my Mercedes S500 (2002). When I start the car, the noise is very faint and then in about 20 minutes, the humming noise is getting louder. The humming is similar to the one from a neon light. The noise is there as long as the light on the Instrument Panel is on (whether the engine is on or off). Also, dimming the light does not help keeping the humming noise low.

I am wondering whether this is normal or my Instrument Panel is deteriorating like many people have experienced.

Thank you for your help.

Z06EATER

it sounds like it may be you bulbs back there, or, yes it could be the instrument cluster i believe they has a recall on these

winmaw

The cluster is lighted by fluorescent ( neon) bulbs and it is from the ballast, which is connected to neon lights. In order to keep its life a little longer, dim all the way down until black out or otherwise you need to repair/replace cluster.

kenstudios

Could be a sign that your cluster is about to give.

TheCow

Thank you for all the replies. Is there an easy way to change the bulb and the ballast ? Where can I buy them ?

winmaw

Hi,
It is not a problem from a ballast or bulb. they are good. It is a problem from the circuit board, which does not feed enough power/frequency to ballast. The board often give troubles in different symptoms. You have to dismentle a cluster completely to access to ballast. Remove all bulbs and ballast and replace with LEDs. Honestly it is not an easy task, if you have not done similar job in the past.