[W126 Coupe] 1984 500 sec

[Jay Febish]

Definitely sounds like your car is a Euro model unlike the U.S. spec   
cars. I would take a look at the rheostat on the instrument cluster  
(small knob on the left, IIRC). It rotates to adjust the light level  
in the dash. If you push it, it resets the trip meter. The small knob  
on the right side is to set the clock, They can become unusable with  
age. The contacts in them become corroded. This is just a thought. I  
had the same trouble with my 300SD, But there are people far more  
knowledgeable on the forum.

Jay

On Oct 18, 2009, at 6:41 PM, Lisa Levitus wrote:


> My husband and I just inherited a 1984 500 SEC. The very first night  

> we drove the car, the dashboard lights didn't work. It seems weird  

> not to drive a car at night, but since the car is new to us and we  

> don't know where all the controls are, (plus they are in German),  

> we're stuck. We thought it might be the fuse, but I had it checked  

> out and it was fine. I kept rotating a knob in the car but I have  

> since found out that the knob was to rotate the headlights in bad  

> weather. Does anyone have any advice? I'd sure love to drive at  

> night plus I've been wondering what color the dash lights were.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Lisa

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