One of my dashboard lights is out (the light that comes on when the headlights are turned on; not the warning lights on the dashboard). The local Chrysler dealership quoted $204 to replace one bulb, telling me that the entire dashboard needs to be removed. Surely, the engineers must have anticipated that bulbs would need to be replaced and had the foresight to provide for some simple procedure. Is the dealership correct, and if not, does anyone know how to inexpensively replace a bulb?

 

I heard that if you pull the steering wheel out as far as it can go you have access to the panel. Search for dash bulb and it might come up but someone here has done it.

 

I ran across this site. It sounds like the dealership was close.

http://www.mercedesshop.com/Wikka/R170InstClusterBulbs

 

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AMGLover is correct. This is a VERY good precaution. It is even more vital when repairing or other wise exposing wiring that has airbag detonation trigger wires running through it.

Be safe, disconnect the battery.

 

Shouldn't this be covered by your warranty?

 

Unfortunately the warranty expired 11/06. I don't want to do the repair myself & screw up the airbag. I think I'll just live with a dimmer dash- $200+ to replace a dashboard light is a bit steep.

 

I tried your suggestion, but extending the steering wheel didn't provide me with any access. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

The website appears to give pretty good step by step instructions. I wouldn't mind trying the bulb replacement myself, but because of AMGLover and MMZ_Timelord's warnings about the airbags I am hesitant to trying to do it myself.

 

alipsa,

A simple disconnect of the negative battery terminal is MORE than enough to prevent discharge of the airbags.

It's also the main precaution when doing any wiring work.

When you are changing a dash illumination bulb, you will be unplugging things, so it's better to have all power disconnected.

By disconnecting the ground wire from the battery, you are leaving no return path to the battery to complete a circuit. Even if a hot wire fell across a bare metal surface (not likely in a new car) it would not be able to complete the circuit.

The warning was not meant to make you afraid... it was meant to inform you.