Center Console Lighting Question - Benzworld.org

dimple173 · 11-19-2004, 05:24 PM

A friend of mine purchased a 1999 E430. He was asking me if the center console (Climate control, etc.) buttons lit up when you turn on your parking or/and headlights. None of the buttons light up unless you select a button. I know that on my dad's 1980 280SE and 450SEL and 1984 380SL, the background of the climate control buttons lit up whenever the parking lights were turned on. The same goes true with my 2003 E55. I haven't had a chance to check my friend's fuses and I thought that I'd ask this question to everyone here. If anyone has run into the problem, what was done to fix the problem? How many bulbs were replaced? Or was a new assembly purchased to replace the old unit? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Mr. Pie · 11-19-2004, 05:48 PM

On my '00 E430 the display backlight wasn't coming on at all. Good news... this is what it cost me $10 tool to remove the climate control unit, $5 bulb from on of the local dealers and 5 minutes of blood sweat and tears.

I found the tool for $10 including shipping on eBay, here is one that is on there right now http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...sPageName=WDVW. The bulb was picked up at the dealer and I just went to the parts department and showed them the blub I needed.

Now th details of how to get at the blub...
When you get the tools you'll see that each one will have a distinct side that they slide in. These tools go into the small slots on the left and right side on the bottom of the unit (you'll hear a click when they are connected). When they are connected the unit slides out nice and easy (the blood and sweat). Turn the unit over and you'll se a socket in the middle of the unit. Turn the socket 90 degrees counter-clockwise to release the blub and then pull out the socket that holds the bulb. Grab the blub plugged into the socket and pull, then replace with the new bulb. Repeat steps in reverse to replace unit back into dash.

If this doesn't resolve the issue it could be the socket that the bulb plugs into and that costs $35 at the dealer (luckly I didn't need that) and they didn't have any in stock. The last resort would be to either replace the unit or have the dealer look at it. I saw a unit on eBay for $200. Oh and by the way all funds are stated in US$.

Turn parking lights on to verify that the buttons light up (the tears part [;)]). If you're in the Seattle area I can save you the cost and time of the tools.