[ychachad]

Gear selector light failure - New bulb - DIY
Dashboard lights (fuel gauge/ mileage recorder) - New bulbs - DIY

I have both these problems, ans it seems you have done these yourself. could you help me solve these problems, please. My gear selector light is off, and the instrument panel does not have a gear selection on it (poor design)
Also on the odometer and trip meter, I can see the numbers, but they are soooo dim, only visibly at night, the backlight seems to have gone. Can you help here too? Thanks a lot in advance.

 

[ychachad]

Re: Gear selector light replacement instructions for ychachad

Oh my God W140Gill. Thanks so much for all the effort you took to type all this up. I really appreciate this. I understand the gear selector light, and so I'll try this first. This will give me enough confidence in attempting the instrument cluster later, which I did not quite understand. Thanks again for all your assistance.
Y. Chachad

The gear selector bulb is a little more complex.
You will need the following tools:
(1) A selection (because I cant remember the size) of torx screwdriver bits (I think its either T10,T15 or T20)
(2) A 1/4" mini ratchet bit
(3) A 'L' bend Allen key that fits into the 1/4" ratchet on the side that would normally fit the ratchet handle.
(4) A small phillips (crosshead) screwdriver bit.
(5) flat tip screwdriver

Open the ash tray and remove the inner with the release catch.
Look into the opening and you will see a small phillips screw holing on the wood panel on the cover of the ashtray. Insert the phillips bit into the 1/4" bit and use the allen key in the other end to 'frig' yourself a custom tool to get into the hole.
Undo the screw and the ashtray comes away. Keep the compression washer thats under the screw safe.
Feel in the opening where the ashtray resided for 2 torx headed bolts. There is one either side. These hold the wood around the gear and window switches in place.
Undo these bolts using your 'frigged' tool fitted with the right size torx bit.
Remove the surrounding plastic from the gear selector panel. This comes out upward. Use a flat screwdriver if necessary - mind the wood!.
The Wood panel is now loose from the gear selector. Lift upward starting from the ashtray end and carefully unclip the wiring from all the switches.
The Gear selector mechanism is now exposed. The bulb is the same variety as the dashboard, twist in type. It resides either on the side or under the top panel where the numbering is. Carefully unclip the top panel and replace the bulb.

As before refit is reverse of removal.

 

[ychachad]

Re: Re: let me know what you want clarified on the dashboard. I will make it clearer for all.T

[/quote]

Chad: why would someone need a gear selector light in the dash? thats too lexusish.
[/quote]

Uh, Uh, because I have one.
[]

 

[ychachad]

Re: Gear selector light replacement instructions for ychachad

UPDATE. May I WGill? Thanks.
The driver is a T20 Torx bit, and I used a 90 degree swivel head screw driver for that. Worked very well. I purchased the thing at the local Sears store.

The gear selector bulb is a little more complex.
You will need the following tools:
(1) A selection (because I cant remember the size) of torx screwdriver bits (I think its either T10,T15 or T20)
(2) A 1/4" mini ratchet bit
(3) A 'L' bend Allen key that fits into the 1/4" ratchet on the side that would normally fit the ratchet handle.
(4) A small phillips (crosshead) screwdriver bit.
(5) flat tip screwdriver

Open the ash tray and remove the inner with the release catch.
Look into the opening and you will see a small phillips screw holding on the wood panel on the cover of the ashtray. Insert the phillips bit into the 1/4" bit and use the allen key in the other end to 'frig' yourself a custom tool to get into the hole.
Undo the screw and the ashtray comes away. Keep the compression washer thats under the screw safe.
Feel in the opening where the ashtray resided for 2 torx headed bolts. There is one either side. These hold the wood around the gear and window switches in place.
Undo these bolts using your 'frigged' tool fitted with the right size torx bit.
Remove the surrounding plastic from the gear selector panel. This comes out upward. Use a flat screwdriver if necessary - mind the wood!.
The Wood panel is now loose from the gear selector. Lift upward starting from the ashtray end and carefully unclip the wiring from all the switches.
The Gear selector mechanism is now exposed. The bulb is the same variety as the dashboard, twist in type. It resides either on the side or under the top panel where the numbering is. Carefully unclip the top panel and replace the bulb.

As before refit is reverse of removal.

 

[ychachad]

Re: Dash cluster bulb replacement instructions for ychachad

There are 2 bulbs that are required here. I needed 4 small ones and 3 large ones. I can't believe that so many were burned out in my cluster. Anyway, I made the cluster removal tool myself from the photo Wgill had provided, but welding a 1/4" x 0.05" thick metal strip (hook) to a 3/8" round rod (Handle) to pull out the cluster. I tried several locations and found that the bottom of the cluster worked best. The MB dealer screwed me for $4.50 for each of the small bulbs, and $7.50 for each of the large bulbs. That's why I didn't replace all the bulbs. But soon, one more large bulb burnt out. Cluster removal was a snap this time. But I refused to pay more $$$ to the dealer. So I went and purchased similarly sized Sylvania bulbs for $1.00 each, Made in Germany, same as the MB OEM quality which is made by Osram/Sylvania. I checked the fitment and the wattage, and found that the W3W type bulb is best at 2.5 watts, versus the 2.0 for the OEM. No problems, no burnouts. AT That price, I replaced all the large bulbs. As far as the small bulbs go, they are molded, and not push pull. So you have to break the bulb, and but Sylvania 2781 bulb at $1.00 each. They worked fine as well. This should save us all some $$$, and Thank you WGill for all your help, without you this would not have been possible. The dealer wanted $110 to remove the cluster + charge for bulbs. WHich would have been 200 bucks for me.

The dashboard cluster is held in with compression. There are no screws or clips holding it in place. There are 2 ways to remove the cluster. The 1st method involves you buying some pulling hooks. These can be found on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2423656922&category=10398. Make sure the electric steering column is fully out and down out of the way. Insert the hooks either side the cluster and twist so that they catch the back. Then pull the handles towards you. The cluster pops out and you simply need to disconnect the leads behind the unit. While the unit is out, replace ALL the bulbs. Bulbs have a finite life and theres nothing worse than you putting it back having replaced a single bulb only to have another pop on you soon after. The bulbs are a mixture of 2 types. They simply twist out of the cluster. Dont buy cheap bulbs, you dont want to go back in there to replace them again.

The second method (which i did) is without pulling hooks. Undo the the carpeted panel beneath the dashboard. There are crossheaded screws hidden along the join - make sure you dont miss these out. Next, reach up through the lower part where the carpeted panel was removed and push the cluster forward. There is less risk of damaging anything this way.

NOTE: The cluster comes out top first. As a gap appears at the top between the cluster and the dahboard, dont be afraid to put your hand in and help it out.

Fitting is reverse of removal

 

[ychachad]

Re: Dear Ychachad, thanks for your post I saw that from our buddy Gill. But I was trying to

Hello, when you remove the ashtray, and the 2 screws attaching the lower panel covering the gear shifter, there are 2 screws to remove the A/C and Stereo wood panel. I replaced my driver side temperature bulb as well at the same time. Quite easy to do. Simply make sure you get the Torx 20 bit, and a 90 degree tiny swivel screw driver or wrench.

Dear Ychachad, thanks for your post I saw that from our buddy Gill. But I was trying to remove the bulbs from my air and heat controls. The bulb on the drivers portion is out, so I can't see what temperature it's on at night. I changed my gear bulb thanks to Gill, so I know how to remove the ash tray and those parts. I was thinking the top portion of wood must come off in the same fashion exposing the air and heat controls. I also need to replace whatever bulbs light the vent on and off controls If you have any knowledge on these let me know ok.

Thanks.

Drk. Grn. 400se