[alabbasi]

I finally got around to pulling the instrument cluster to replace the cluster bulbs. Wow, what a huge pain in the rear! Without removing the steering wheel it's a little finicky to get the bulb holders out and un-screwing the bulbs and putting them back in was tricky. I was reluctant to use pliers or any other metallic item out of fear of shorting the cluster.

It took about 40 minutes of messing with it, but I got two bulbs replaced. Does anyone know how to disconnect the main cluster wiring? It does not seem as straight forward as pulling on the plug.

Thanks

 

[tomjones1]

 

[Weegee14]

It might help other members to list what year and model your driving.
Thanks,

 

[alabbasi]

No problem. It's a 97 E420

 

[MrGadget608]

LED bulbs for Instrument Panel?

Have you considered using LED bulbs? I used the "super white" LEDs from this page: Autolumination Instrument Panel Light Bulbs & Lamps). If you open the web page, they're labeled as: "2752 2722 2752 MF 2722 MF B8.5d Neo - Wedge Instrument Panel Bulbs are 13mm (1/2") diameter x 18mm (11/16") high". They're about $3 apiece, and you need maybe 10 of them. They give the guages a cooler, more modern looking blue / white hue rather than the amber look of the incandescent bulbs.

My first set (from another company) didn't fit very well, and the metal conductors broke off too easily. But the ones above fit and worked great.

One big caveat is that LED bulbs are polarized. So you need to make sure they're inserted the right direction. Most bulbs are easy to try to ensure they're inserted correctly (just turn the headlights on). But some bulbs (like the low-fuel light) aren't so easy to activate...so you might want to use these bulbs only in the places you can clearly test (most bulbs come on when the key is in the on position, before you start the car).

Anyway, I really like them. FWIW

One other caveat - I have a 2002. Not certain your dash uses exactly the same bulbs, but probably does.

 

[alabbasi]

Have you considered using LED bulbs?

Heck no! I'm the second and fourth owner of this car and since buying it for the first time in 2004, i've only needed to pull the dash to replace a bulb once. I'd rather save my money for the fourth blower regulator