Changing Tachometer Dash Light

[TerenceD]

Stupid question - but how do you change the dash light that illuminates the tachometer.  Mine burnt the other day, and I just crawled under the dash to see and my hand simply cannot fit up into the dash.  I hope I do not have to take the whole dash apart ! :oops:

Thanks,
Terence

[J. Huber]

Hi Terence. Good news is you don't have to take whole dah apart. However, you do need to get to the back of the tach which is a little challenging (especially the first time). I am not sure if we have any instructions in the archives. Take a look and if you don't see any -- someone can probably walk you through it.

James
63 230SL

[tdun824259]

Terence,

You do have to access the back of the tach, which is where the bulb housing is at.  I've found the best way is to remove the drivers seat first.  Sounds like a pain but it will save you a rotator cuff if you take it out first.  Then laying on your back with you head on the brake pedal, work your hand into the back cavity of the dash.  The tach is held on by a knurled nut (brass I believe) and a "U" shaped keeper.  Remove the nut and the tach will slide out the front of the dash.  You will have easy access to the bulb and can easily replace them.  There is a ground wire attached to the keeper by the knurled nut, you want to make sure it is in place as you put things back together again.  

The whole procedure can be done with seat in IF, you are very flexible and IF you have small hands...or if you've done it 10 times.

I just wish they made those bulbs brighter!!

Good Luck
Tim Dunagan
tdun824259
1971 280 SL

[Cees Klumper]

I've done this several times without having to take the seat out of the car. Try it out that way first (but first take off the padded piece that is attached to the bottom of the dash, to the left of the steering column, with three phillips-screws).

Cees ("Case") Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[J. Huber]

A couple things I'd add. I always feel better disconnecting the positive on the battery first. There are some hot wires up there. Also, one step that might seem obvious is that the tach cable is screwed onto tach and will need to be taken off if you plan to pull entire tach out. It is usually just hand tight and is easy to unscrew.

PS I do it with seat in. Legs hanging out the door, butt on the sill, and head wedged into the brake pedal! It's what they call "the Pagoda" in Yoga Class!  

James
63 230SL

[PK]

I love the information and help available here, but the comedy is better than anything on TV.

[TheEngineer]

You can save yourself a lot of work, irreversible contortions and subsequent nightmares about being stuck in an impossible position forever, by following this, my best advice: Drive during daylight hours only.

'69 280SL,Signal Red,007537,tired engineer, West-Seattle, WA

[TerenceD]

Thankfully there is never a shortage of humour