W123 230E 1984 auto Dash cluster lights gone!

[Benzwalah]

Evening everyone.

I'm in the process of resurrecting my garaged 230E(over 8yrs) . The Dash lights dont come on . The Indicators work , the hazards work all the gauges work. The dial Lights were last seen working in 2014/5. They were not very bright even then. The dimmer has no effect no matter how much I fiddle or turn it. Questions please?

1) Any suggestions on the problem
2) I want to replace the bulbs with LED ones and i seen threads on the net but cannot find any links to suppliers or manufacturers with bulb codes.
3) I am aware ken in the USA is selling them but extortionate prices along with a fancy wire clothes hanger contraption to pull the dash out.

I would appreciate the links from anyone who has successfully done it and they work without issues.

Apologies for what might come across as sarcy tone but I'm a secondary school teacher so at times I wander off!

Many Thanks

Benzwalah

 

[alabbasi]

Yeah there's a rheostat can fail. You can either replace it (they're still available and pretty cheap) or jump the wires so that it's permanently full bright. Some LED lights may not be dimmable.

 

[Bellow]

The dimmer rheostat comes apart for cleaning.

 

[grober]

Lots of stuff on LEDS here

What did you do to your W123 today in 2012?

www.benzworld.org

LED lighting

Anybody have any luck using LEDs in a W123? The dash is the first thing that needs help but what size should I be looking for?

www.benzworld.org

 

[Ted]

Wiggle the dimmer knob clockwise /anticlockwise a few times and see if that fixes it.
If not you could try bridging out the rheostat at the back of the knob - you’re unlikely to find that the dash bulbs are too bright

 

[Benzwalah]

The dimmer rheostat comes apart for cleaning.

Thank you for this. I will shunt it for the moment and remove the rheostat and give it a good clean.

 

[Benzwalah]

Yeah there's a rheostat can fail. You can either replace it (they're still available and pretty cheap) or jump the wires so that it's permanently full bright. Some LED lights may not be dimmable.

Hiya

Thanks for your info. I'll jump it as , how often do you really dim them . They're dim enough when full on. I just noticed your post from Dallas Texas . My vacation destination this summer!!