The interior dashboard lights on my 1983
300CD are barely visible at night. The
knob is turned all the way up and the
lights are still very dim. What do I do to
get my dashboard to light up so I can
see my gauges easily?

Actually most W123 cars have the same problem. The plastic housing around the instruments wasn't designed very well. I've had 4 or 5 of these cars & wasn't happy with the inst. lighting. There are 5 watt bulbs that will fit but could possibly melt the housing(one didn't). The W124 chassis had the same problem until 3/88 when it(plastic housing) was redesigned. A new housing will cure the problem. If the rheostat is in good condition.

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MERCEDES BENZ MASTER GUILD TECHNICIAN
ASE MASTER TECHNICIAN
27 YEARS M.B. TECH

My 86 124 falls into the category you mentioned, and I've had the same frustrating problem. The housing that was noted - is it the entire plastic mold in the interior of the instrument display, or just a plastic reflector around the bulb(s)? Is this an extensive/expensive proposition? If possible, I would love to make this change myself...

It's the complete "plastic" housing for the gauges. About $150 for the part I think.

Is the plastic housing you describe
different from the one that came from
the factory? Is it an aftermarket
item? Is it thinner, cleaner, clearer,
etc....?
Is my assumption correct that if I trade
in my 300CD on another "medium
class" mercedes that I need to get one
that is at least a 1989?
Finally, did the bigger S class cars of
that era have a similar problem?

In 1988 Mercedes redesigned the cluster housing for the W124 chassis, any new part will correct the problem. None of the "S" class cars had the problem.