My Speedometer and Tachrometer ilumination is intermittent. All other lamps and indicators are ok. I can slap the top of the dash and the speedometer illumination comes on. Something is loose. I looked at AllData and it says to start by removing the steering wheel to remove the instrument panel. Is this steering wheel removal necessary if the adjustable steering wheel is fully extended? I would like to find a link to a DIY for the Instrument Panel removal. I do not want to break something else in trying to fix the illumination. Thank you for your advice.
2000 E320 Instrument Panel removal
jlbarnes
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My Speedometer and Tachrometer ilumination is intermittent. All other lamps and indicators are ok. I can slap the top of the dash and the speedometer illumination comes on. Something is loose. I looked at AllData and it says to start by removing the steering wheel to remove the instrument panel. Is this steering wheel removal necessary if the adjustable steering wheel is fully extended? I would like to find a link to a DIY for the Instrument Panel removal. I do not want to break something else in trying to fix the illumination. Thank you for your advice.
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jlbarnes said:
yup, just make a lil' hook and insert 2 of em into the little holes on the side. then pull! i think i have a link to the page w/ pics at home, will post tonight. it was a post about some place fixing the cluster for $250, rather than spending $1000 on a new unit
Put the wheel all the way both down and back (toward the driver). This gives just enough room.
Make some hooks out of coat-hanger wire. You want about a 1/4" hook on the end of a wire with a loop at the other end. The distance from the loop to the hook should be about six inches.
You insert these hooks at the side of the panel, about where the wood trim sits. There are some hooks on the side of the panel to catch, or you can insert the wire hooks further and catch the back of the panel itself. Pull fairly hard, one side at a time (do not pull both sides loose at once). Once you move a side back about 1/8", it's free. Get the other side free and it will come right out with finger pressure.
It is not necessary to disconnect the cables going to the panel. You can move it toward the left and invert it with the wires attached, to get to the lamps. But if you do disconnect any cables, DO NOT TURN THE IGNITION KEY FROM POSITION 0! In fact, make sure that the key is out of the car.
Make some hooks out of coat-hanger wire. You want about a 1/4" hook on the end of a wire with a loop at the other end. The distance from the loop to the hook should be about six inches.
You insert these hooks at the side of the panel, about where the wood trim sits. There are some hooks on the side of the panel to catch, or you can insert the wire hooks further and catch the back of the panel itself. Pull fairly hard, one side at a time (do not pull both sides loose at once). Once you move a side back about 1/8", it's free. Get the other side free and it will come right out with finger pressure.
It is not necessary to disconnect the cables going to the panel. You can move it toward the left and invert it with the wires attached, to get to the lamps. But if you do disconnect any cables, DO NOT TURN THE IGNITION KEY FROM POSITION 0! In fact, make sure that the key is out of the car.
These are the original "wire hangers." Came from eBay for about $20.00. Much better than a piece of wire since the handles do give a good grip and also the satisfaction of using these nice original tools.jlbarnes said:
Also recommeded you get the radio removal tools, and the panel removal wedge.
I think these are must haves for working on interior of car.
Hope it helps.
Cheers.
Attachments
Instrument panel removal notes are appreciated.
I found that a firm slap with my right hand one time on the dash over the instrument panel got the lights back on ok. I will hold off on any disassembly to replace bulbs until one goes out again. I plan to buy the MB tools at my dealer to be ready though. Thanks again for the information.
I found that a firm slap with my right hand one time on the dash over the instrument panel got the lights back on ok. I will hold off on any disassembly to replace bulbs until one goes out again. I plan to buy the MB tools at my dealer to be ready though. Thanks again for the information.
The bulb base is turned to the left 1/4 turn and removed. The base is included with the tiny bulbs. The larger bulbs are enchanged and you use the old base.
I changed all of the white bulbs on mine. The three red bulbs don't run enough to burn out as early.
I changed all of the white bulbs on mine. The three red bulbs don't run enough to burn out as early.
MB Removal Tools
jlbarnes......I like your way of thinking to solve the instrument lamp problem. Winning through intimidation seems to work quite well for you....first a good slap on the dash...that got your intrument panel's attention..and then you bought the MB removal tools. Each time everything was working 100 % again. What happens the third time ???? :smashpc: Texoma :eclipsee_steering:
jlbarnes......I like your way of thinking to solve the instrument lamp problem. Winning through intimidation seems to work quite well for you....first a good slap on the dash...that got your intrument panel's attention..and then you bought the MB removal tools. Each time everything was working 100 % again. What happens the third time ???? :smashpc: Texoma :eclipsee_steering:
To continue my intimidation, on the third time the lights go out, I will look for a day job where I do not have to drive at night when I can not see the instruments. If no day job is available, I will remove the panel with my new MB tools, if I can remember where I put them, and change the bulbs.Texoma said:
The bottom left side of my instrument panel was not illuminated and I get the Display Defective error every time I turn on/off my car.
So I got the tool and the bulb today and took out the instrument panel. I saw 3 columns for lights for the lower portion of the panel where the time, mileage and temperature are displayed. I noticed I was given the wrong bulbs when I took the thing apart and replaced the broken one on the left with the wrong bulb that I bought, I was given the bulb that is used for the other lights such as the Check Engine and ABS light with different wattage.
After I put the new bulb in I noticed the other side of the panel wasn't working now. After this I realized the wattage on the bulb and decided that I will wait until tomorrow and exchange it at the parts shop. Now that I took the new, wrong bulb out I noticed that both sides of the panel are not illuminated.
I was wondering does anyone know what exactly happened, the other side of the panel is not illuminated even though I didn't touch it. Also would the Display Defective error be solved with the changing of the bulbs?
Thank you, all help is appreciated
EDIT: Bulbs were replaced and everything is illuminated and I'm not getting the Display Defective error anymore, lets hope it stays like that.
EDIT: Display Defective error is back.
So I got the tool and the bulb today and took out the instrument panel. I saw 3 columns for lights for the lower portion of the panel where the time, mileage and temperature are displayed. I noticed I was given the wrong bulbs when I took the thing apart and replaced the broken one on the left with the wrong bulb that I bought, I was given the bulb that is used for the other lights such as the Check Engine and ABS light with different wattage.
After I put the new bulb in I noticed the other side of the panel wasn't working now. After this I realized the wattage on the bulb and decided that I will wait until tomorrow and exchange it at the parts shop. Now that I took the new, wrong bulb out I noticed that both sides of the panel are not illuminated.
I was wondering does anyone know what exactly happened, the other side of the panel is not illuminated even though I didn't touch it. Also would the Display Defective error be solved with the changing of the bulbs?
Thank you, all help is appreciated
EDIT: Bulbs were replaced and everything is illuminated and I'm not getting the Display Defective error anymore, lets hope it stays like that.
EDIT: Display Defective error is back.
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