Author Topic: Rheostat for dashboard light  (Read 4442 times)

TEJOLX47

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Rheostat for dashboard light
« on: March 26, 2019, 20:47:28 »
Hi guys,

The rheostat of my dashboard light is gone.
Does anyone has one in working condition for a good price.
My car is a 280 SL from 1970.
Thank you
Francisco
Francisco

1970 280 SL (US delivered, Auto, AC, PS)
181 Light beige with 423 Tobbaco brown top

Steve.k

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Re: Rheostat for dashboard light
« Reply #1 on: March 27, 2019, 00:03:23 »
An easy solution is to bypass the rheostat.  There are several threads on the subject here.   
It’s an easy fix, and the dash lights will be on full brightness (which isn’t very bright to begin with).

mbzse

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Re: Rheostat for dashboard light
« Reply #2 on: March 27, 2019, 12:58:54 »
Quote from: TEJOLX47
.../...Rheostat of my dashboard .../...
It is readily available new from Mercedes
/Hans S

WRe

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Re: Rheostat for dashboard light
« Reply #3 on: March 27, 2019, 14:58:13 »
Hi,
My rheostat is without function too. But in my opinion it's not necessary because it brings no light even in total on position. The bulb power is too low.
I had also bad experiences with fixed rheostats, my old /8 nearly burned down because it heated up.
I by-passed mine too, see att. picture, just bridge pin 1 and 2 of plug for instrument cluster.
The price for a new rheostat at MB actually is 160€, much too high for more or less nothing.
...WRe

Benz Dr.

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Re: Rheostat for dashboard light
« Reply #4 on: March 27, 2019, 15:34:43 »
This is, without question, your best option.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

TEJOLX47

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Re: Rheostat for dashboard light
« Reply #5 on: March 27, 2019, 18:14:52 »
Dear Pagoda lovers,

Thank you all for the advise.
MB charges 170€ in Portugal which is, in fact, to much for a useless gadget.
I will follow your recommendation.
Many thanks to all those who contributed.
Regards
Francisco
Francisco

1970 280 SL (US delivered, Auto, AC, PS)
181 Light beige with 423 Tobbaco brown top

Victor113

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Re: Rheostat for dashboard light
« Reply #6 on: September 07, 2024, 20:29:54 »
I’m n my set up the numbers are 9-11 for the pins? Is this accurate? Are these the two pens that I need to jump to bypass rheostat please confirm thank you in advance for your help.
68 250SL aka Mr Big

BobH

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Re: Rheostat for dashboard light
« Reply #7 on: September 07, 2024, 21:15:28 »
Hello, i believe you have the wrong 12 way connector open, this one feeds the column switch

The other connector next to it feeds the instruments, and it is pins 9 and 11, look for the grey/violet and grey/blue wires

There are pictures and details in the technical manual
February 1965 230SL Automatic
UK delivered RHD
Papyrus white, blue hard top & hub caps
Blue soft top
Blue leather

Victor113

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Re: Rheostat for dashboard light
« Reply #8 on: September 07, 2024, 22:40:44 »
Yes, I realized that as soon as I posted it and found the other 12 pin box, I was able to use a jumper wire and managed to jump the correct wires, but I cross wired the male pins from the box side into the box as I didn’t have a method of soldering them, it still worked and it’s very secure and hope  I did it the right way🙏🙏🙏🙏
68 250SL aka Mr Big

Victor113

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Re: Rheostat for dashboard light
« Reply #9 on: September 07, 2024, 23:14:36 »
As a temporary fix, I simply wrapped some thin wire around both relevant pins (from the outside of the connector), connector was able to fully close as this will serve as a temporary fix until I have more time to do the full soldered fix? I believe I’ve seen others do the same. Let me know if there are any potential issues.???
68 250SL aka Mr Big