Has anyone had an illumination light changed yet? The one over by the speedo went out and I have an apt. next Tues. for a replace. Does anyone know if this is a steering wheel and dash pull job? Could be an expensive light bulb if it cannot be accessed from under the dash. Anyone?

 

Mine also went out over the right side of the speedo. I haven't set up an appointment because I have been scared of the cost. Please let me know what you find out. Thanks.

 

I've had a bulb out for a long time. I finally took it in and it turns out the board is bad, not the bulb. So they had to order me a cluster. Apparently it was not that easy of a job, the technician apparently hurt his elbow in the process. Good luck.

 

The exact same thing happened with my Merc a few years ago. Bulb went out in the instrument cluster; and according to the dealer, the entire internal board had to be replaced. It took a good part of a day and was rather expensive. MB's quality ranking has been sliding for years, and reports suggest that much of that decline is due to poor electrical systems. This dash lamp problem may be another example of those disturbing quality issues.

 

that's right, there are no bulbs. the dash illumination is made up a whole bunch of LEDs.

good luck with the replacement --

 

And, I was just sitting here wondering if I had wasted my money on the 7/100 extended bumper to bumper warranty from DC. Apparently my qualms about MB quality were justified. But, then again, most other manufacturer's have their problems. My engine management computer went out in my previous Mustang Cobra...under warranty, $3200.00, in 1998. So, I have extended warranty's on both the XFire and my wife's Jeep Liberty. I plan on keeping both for several years, so we shall see.

John

 

I don't know what version of a Crossfire y'all have, but I have had the entire dash cluster out several times. What provides the illumination is a standard 194 series wedge base bulb(s), as in incandescent. Takes about 15 seconds to change bulbs, you can get them at Wal-Mart.

As for getting to it, the official factory shop manual says you must remove steering wheel first, but IT IS WRONG. Just extend steering wheel out to furthest out and the cluster will clear enough to remove the two large keyed connectors that supply power and signal.

To get cluster out:

a) remove ingle screw and trim panel directly under steering wheel.

b) drop lower valence and knee pad section.

c) pull off the cluster surround trim (not so easy, the locking tabs are a royal pain) and four screws hold cluster to instrument binnacle.

MAKE SURE you tell the dealer tech he does NOT need to remove steering wheel, cause that would add much time and sweat.

I have replaced my dial face with cream colored 2004 SLK320 face, and all instrument lights with red LEDs, looks very cool but not cheap or rice rocket flash. Center console is also now blue LEDS, switches were a pain, but AC/Heater was easy (also 194 series wedge) base behind small plastic flap.

good luck...cjt

 

ctsemicon,

Do you have pics of the new instrument lights and cluster, or a pic of the blue LEDs? I personally don't like the green!

 

Ditto, ctsemicon I would like to see some pics.

 

wow... really? i've read over and over that the dash cluster lighting is green LEDs. there's a bunch of people on here who have looked into redoing their dashes in blue or red.

don't make me whip it out again...