Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => Electrical and Instruments => Topic started 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.
-
Your instruments should be brighter than that.
Some causes for insufficient brightness:- One bulb is out (each instrument has a pair)
- Rheostat (potentiometer) for adjusting bulb brightness is not at full setting or is faulty
- Instrument glass is dirty from the inside (or outside)
- Insufficient or incorrect wattage of bulbs
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...
-
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
-
Were the bulbs hard to replace - and how is it done?
Best regards
Ulf
-
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
-
ahh yes, it is a 230, that explains why that did nothing :P, thanks naj