instrument lighting

[marti]

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. 

[waqas]

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/ among other sources.

I think there's a thread here somewhere in which Naj has posted bulb equivalents...

[717-113]

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

[Ulf]

Were the bulbs hard to replace - and how is it done?

Best regards

Ulf

[Naj ✝︎]

 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

[717-113]

ahh yes, it is a 230, that explains why that did nothing , thanks naj