dash lights are out, can I bypass the potentiometer?

[dropnosky]

my guage lights on my 84 300D are constantly erratic, and have finally bit the dust. Tested the system for a while, and it looks like the potentiometer that controls dimness is the culprit. I have found that this is a uber expensive dohicky, like 150 bucks, and since the lights are so dim anyway, I would like to bypass it and just supply fused 12 volt to the lights when you turn them on.

Does this sound like a bad idea?

[Sokoloff]

Lots have done just that. Just jumper a wire between the two connections on the rheostat. That rheostat is about $65 and can sometimes be cleaned and made to work.

[JIMZ-MBZ]

I have bypassed the pot,, used a suitable gasuge wire,,
needs to be soldered after removing the whole gauge panel

I kinda dont like the little-too brightness of it though,,

you can buy a pot at a source like buymbparts.com

Jim

[Don350SDL]

If it is too bright, you can also get a low-value resistor at Radio Shack or an electronics store and use that instead of a jumper wire. An 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 Ohm resistor (from bright to dimmer), rated at not less than 5 watts (that is important) can be used.

Don

[JPMose]

Having a W123 or W126 instrument cluster that was TOO BRIGHT would be nothing short of a miracle! :D

[Boneheaddoctor]

Having a W123 or W126 instrument cluster that was TOO BRIGHT would be nothing short of a miracle! :DI've got to agree, I have good night vision but still find myself wishing mine was brighter.