Tach lights?

[macaroni]

I have a burnt out tach light, how can i open up the instrument cluster and replace the bulb(s)?

Thanks friends :)

(my exhaust is gonna be here Tuesday!)

[Abuimad]

Well for starters get the Dash removal tools they sell for around 20 bucks

then whaty i did was i removed the steering wheel by removing the two bolts on the rear of the wheel on each side....once that was out i undid the wires (only 2 i think) and there was a nut wich i also undid and the steering came out, not the next thing u do is u put those tools u just bought into good use by removing the Dash (put them in on each side of the dash and pull the dash out), then u remove the wires behind the cluster, and u start replacing them lights....word to the wise, replace all the wires because i didnt and i had to do the whole thing again just a day later...

[Abuimad]

ok heres something more detailed
Wheel:
http://202tech.mkosonen.com/howto/steering.html
Cluster:
http://202tech.mkosonen.com/howto/instrument.html

[rollinrealbig]

WOW your crazy - you dont take out the entire wheel off - you have enough space to pull the cluster out without taking apart all that man.

but as for the light bulb changes - yup exactly how to do it.

what i did was i just used a pick to pull my cluster out - then disconnected the wires, and pulled my cluster out the side but never took off my steering wheel.

[Abuimad]

my cluster didnt come out cause my wheel was to big, some cars come with the big steering wheels (like mine) there for u have to remove the whole thing, others come with a smaller SW, and removing it is not a must, either way the whole thing takes about 20 minutes, so no biggi

[martattack]

Originally posted by rollinrealbig
WOW your crazy - you dont take out the entire wheel off - you have enough space to pull the cluster out without taking apart all that man.

but as for the light bulb changes - yup exactly how to do it.

what i did was i just used a pick to pull my cluster out - then disconnected the wires, and pulled my cluster out the side but never took off my steering wheel.


I wrote that article not only from personal experience, but also from the Mercedes Benz WIS Software. When I pulled out my cluster the first time, I tried to do it without taking the wheel off. I do not have a telescoping wheel. I ended up scratching up the dashboard around where the instrument cluster is. Luckily it's not very visible, but it's definitely there! I didn't want to have to deal with that again.

Taking off the wheel really isn't a big deal. And I would much rather recommend people do that then scratching the vinyl up.

[rollinrealbig]

Hmmmm ... i guess im pretty lucky

i pull out my cluster in like 20-seconds.

and i dont have a telescoping SW and it doesnt scratch anything.

luck for me.

i just wouldnt like taking off my wheel tho ... whu would ?

[Abuimad]

well it looks very very complex (or so i thought) but i managed to do it myself thanks to boomin's write up
and rollin what wheel do u have, cause i tried so hard to taking the cluster out without removing the wheel but it wouldnt budge ?

[rollinrealbig]

here - i dont really know how to explain what wheel i have but take a look for yourself.

- the reason i took my cluster out is when i got those white gauges. they look so cool i love them!!!

i payed $80 for them

heres link -

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2179797

those pictures are sorta old, ill get new updates on things soon.

:D

[macaroni]

I tried to take it out, but where the hell are the tabs? mins looks seamless...

[martattack]

Which tabs are you talking about? Do you mean the tabs to seperate the front housing from the back housing?

I don't believe you need to separate the housing to replace the lights.

[rollinrealbig]

if you look behind the cluster you will see 8mm (i think) plastic screw-in type bulbs.

you just find the one thats out and replace it.

no need to open up the cluster at all.

[macaroni]

i cant even get the cluster out, it appears seamless ? ? ?

[stox]

You might find this useful:

Mercedes Tech Video (http://www.mercedestechstore.com/w202infoaccess/w202videosample.htm)

[DRM]

yeah mine was taken off behind the back of the fixed steering wheel although taking off the wheel does look a lot easier and less rubbing involved. what precautions do you have to take with the removal of the airbag?

[Abuimad]

well from personal experience all i did was simply disconnecting the wires and thats it..its was tooo easy and it worked out fine..it was actualy the first work i have ever done on any car, no battery disconnection is needed or any fancy actions....

[martattack]

Originally posted by DRM
yeah mine was taken off behind the back of the fixed steering wheel although taking off the wheel does look a lot easier and less rubbing involved. what precautions do you have to take with the removal of the airbag?

It scares me everytime I do it, but I believe it's fairly safe. Never personally heard of one going off on anybody. They have a shorting shunt in the connector to prevent detonation when removing and reattaching the wiring.

Just as a precaution, I'd remove the negative terminal from the battery.

[DRM]

alright thanks will follow your instructions

[rollinrealbig]

umm my guess is make sure your keys are out of the ignition - that way the SRS light wont have a reason to go on.

and ive taken airbags out of many cars ... never really worried about them going off, nothing ever happend, they will only go off of theres front bumper impact other then that they shouldnt go off.

[macaroni]

Mine is a sport cluster, does that make a difference?

[rollinrealbig]

to change the light bulb ?

nope!


its the same thing, just that you might have white gauges?

[macaroni]

correct, but there isnt a seam around the cluster!
it makes no sense!

[rollinrealbig]

you dont need to take your cluster apart, mine is taken aprt in the pictures for a totally doffernt project.

this is exactly how to change the light bulb -




http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/2179000-2179999/2179797_26_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/2179000-2179999/2179797_27_full.jpg

I know pictures are weak, but i hope this helps you!

let me know if you have any other questions!

[Abuimad]

yeah exactly u replace the bulbs from the back of the cluster u dont need to take it apart, its pretty easy stuff and wether its sport or normal makes no difference, just twist the nob and take the light out and replace it
and inmho u dont need to disconnect nething just take the key out, and change it other than that its safe, there is no way in hell the airbag would go off if the car is in a stop let alone the key out

[rollinrealbig]

how will an air bag go off if you take out your cluster ?

even if the ignition is ON ? ? ?


that is the silliest thing i have ever heard!!!!!


"... yea and keep your windows closed so the wind wont blow the cluster away"!

[rollinrealbig]

the only time an airbag will go off is when you have a strong enough impact on the front bumper, or an electrical problem which rarly happens.

you would want to keep your ignition off because when you disconnect your airbag wire your SRS light might go on.

ive taken out many airbags out of many differnt cars during my summer job - nothing to be scared of.

[martattack]

Originally posted by rollinrealbig
how will an air bag go off if you take out your cluster ?

even if the ignition is ON ? ? ?


that is the silliest thing i have ever heard!!!!!


"... yea and keep your windows closed so the wind wont blow the cluster away"!

The ignitor is a pyrotechnic squib. All it needs is some sort of static discharge and that could possibly ignite it. Theoretically there should be absolutely no problem taking it out if the ignition is off, but stranger shit can happen!

[macaroni]

I'm so confused!
I CANT take the cluster out, there's nothing to grip it by!?!?!? no holes to poke anything into?!?!?

[Abuimad]

ofcourse there are no holes pry the sucker out, i mean stick the hook or tool or whatever in the upper left and right corner and gently pry it out..pry is not the word im looking for...u know shift it, wobble it, shimmy it out.....thats how i did it ?!?!

[rollinrealbig]

yea i used a pick to pull mine out,

wiggle it out. it just sits in there, no screws or anything.