Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Electrical and Instruments => Topic started by: marti on November 12, 2008, 05:51:21

Title: instrument lighting
Post by: marti on November 12, 2008, 05:51:21
I am trying to figure out how "bright" my interior dash board lights should be (or normally are) in an old 63 230sl.  When I drive at night, I can barely make out the spedometer and it looks like one of the lights behind the heater vents is way darker then the other.  Could it be a fuse?  or is there a bulb I should be checking?   Or are these cars instrument lights really dim?  Any help you can offer would be appreciated. 
Title: Re: instrument lighting
Post by: waqas on November 12, 2008, 06:45:31
Your instruments should be brighter than that. 

Some causes for insufficient brightness:
Regarding the dash vents, one has probably gone out. If you end up replacing any bulbs, I would recommend you replace them all with slightly higher wattage equivalents. You can find suitable replacements at http://www.danielsternlighting.com/ (http://www.danielsternlighting.com/) among other sources.

I think there's a thread here somewhere in which Naj has posted bulb equivalents...
Title: Re: instrument lighting
Post by: 717-113 on December 03, 2008, 14:52:25
Hey, I just replaced all my bulbs in the dash. I got them from the dealer, but they had to be ordered in. I think I replaced 12 bulbs (I didn't do the center heater control bulbs). Attached is a picture of them installed, and they seem bright enough to me. Note the tach is not installed in the picture. With them all replaced, I got to wondering, whats the square above the high beam indicator light for? It's circled in my picture. Thanks
Title: Re: instrument lighting
Post by: Ulf on November 18, 2009, 11:03:32
Were the bulbs hard to replace - and how is it done?

Best regards

Ulf
Title: Re: instrument lighting
Post by: Naj ✝︎ on November 18, 2009, 11:16:40

 I got to wondering, whats the square above the high beam indicator light for? It's circled in my picture.


If its a 230 (or early 250 ?) Nothing.
On later cars, it the door open/low brake fluid warning light.

BTW, I used 4 watt bulbs. I believe the originals are 2 watt.

Hello, Ulf,
The bulbs are changed from the back of the instruments.
Best to do it as a project where you replace all the bulbs and clean the glasses etc.

naj
Title: Re: instrument lighting
Post by: 717-113 on December 04, 2009, 03:28:24
ahh yes, it is a 230, that explains why that did nothing :P, thanks naj