SL/R107: Gauge/panel lights
12-16-2007, 01:46 PM
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1984 SL380
Gauge/panel lights
New to list. I have an '84 380SL that the panel/gauge lights have gone out. I don't see them listed in the fuse box. Any ideas or thoughts? Any help is much appreciated. Thanks, DF
12-26-2007, 03:44 PM
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1988 300E, 1973 450 sl, 1999 ML320, 1986 300E, 1985 190D
if it is just the lights
it may be the dimmer switch, or just a bad ground. aldo check the comp, under the pasinger side dash
11-03-2008, 02:43 PM
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1979 450SL
I had the same problem on my 79 450sl and it turned out to be the actual headlight selector switch. I was getting no voltage on the post that goes to all of the panel lights/drive selector light/etc. I took a jumper from 12V to it and all of the lights worked. I found a used switch on ebay for $45 US. These are still available on-line for about $ 90 US.
Hope this helps someone looking at this thread in the future.
Gary
Hope this helps someone looking at this thread in the future.
Gary
11-12-2008, 01:40 PM
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1985 MB 380SL
play with the rheostat
Just bought my 380SL and it had the same problem. I played with the rheostat by turning it back and forth several times. After about 30-40 seconds it "caught" and the lights were back on. Can't quite dim them smoothly because the rheostat is evidently bad, but it beats a dark dashboard.
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02-05-2015, 08:21 PM
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450SL
I have the same problem on 1979 450SL. Oddly, the knob on my instrument-light-dimmer switch also pushes in about all the way. Is this normal, or an indication of a broken switch?
What's the easiest way to determine the cause of this problem with out disassembling the car?
If I have to remove the dimmer switch and or the main-lighting switch, what's the simple way to do that?
What's the easiest way to determine the cause of this problem with out disassembling the car?
If I have to remove the dimmer switch and or the main-lighting switch, what's the simple way to do that?
02-06-2015, 06:53 AM
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450SL
Knob pushing in is normal. It is spring loaded. There is no simple way to remove the dimmer switch. You have to remove the steering wheel and remove the instrument cluster.
It may just be corroded a bit. Try turning back and forth about a hundred times. Not kidding.
It may just be corroded a bit. Try turning back and forth about a hundred times. Not kidding.
02-10-2015, 05:58 PM
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CL55, S550, 450SL
It's not difficult to remove the instrument cluster. Make sure you mark the steering wheel when you take off the Hex retaining screw so you can line it up properly when you put it back. Once the steering wheel is off, the cluster just slides out.
