My 2001 Mercedes S500 was recently rear-ended and the instrument panel no longer lights up nor do the gauges or my steering wheel controls work. What could this be?

USA car/?
its is covered service manual.
every step. heater core pull
also learn to look on youtube first for cheats here.
dash out or not, or partly,
some times steering is only lowered some, all bolts out holding it up.
battery NEG LUG pulled is step1, and x10 that with air bags. boom.

https://eautorepair.net/Marketing/Default.asp


chapter HVAC 1992 jetta
sub section, heater core out.
ours states

Disconnect the negative battery cable.

Drain the cooling system into a clean container for reuse.

Remove the driver's side air bag by performing the following procedure:

Release the steering column adjustment.

Rotate the steering wheel until the spokes are vertical (90 degrees off center).

Adjust the steering column to the completely out down position and lock the adjustment.

At the rear of the steering wheel, insert a 7 in. (175mm) screwdriver into the hole in the hub approximately 13/4 in. (45mm) deep.

Raise the screwdriver (as viewed from the driver's seat) to release the air bag clip.

Rotate the steering wheel 180 degrees in the opposite direction and release the clip on the other side.

Center the steering wheel with the front wheels facing straight-ahead.

Disconnect the electrical connector and remove the air bag.

Remove the steering wheel by performing the following procedure:

Place the front wheels in the straight-ahead position.

Remove the steering wheel-to-steering column bolt.

1. • Remove the steering wheel from the steering column.
2. Remove the center console-to-chassis bolts and the console.
3. Remove the instrument panel by performing the following procedure:
   • Remove the upper steering column cover screws and the cover.
   • Remove the 3 lower steering column cover screws, release the steering wheel height adjustment and remove the lower steering column switch trim.
   • Remove the combination switch-to-steering column bolt, disconnect the electrical connectors and remove the combination switch.
   • At the passenger's side of instrument panel, remove the side cover.
   • Remove the 7 glove box-to-instrument panel screws, disconnect the glove box light connector and remove the glove box.
   • At the driver's side, remove the both lower instrument panel cover screws and the covers.
   • Remove the DLC-to-bracket screws.
   • At the driver's side, remove the 6 sound damper panel-to-instrument panel screws and the panel.
   • Slide the Radio Release tool No. 3316 into the slots at both sides of the radio until they engage; then, pull the radio out of the instrument panel and disconnect the electrical connectors.
   • To remove the Radio Release tool(s) No. 3316, press the locating tabs (located on both sides of the radio) inward and remove them.
     
     • At the center of the instrument pane (above the radio), unclip and remove the switches and disconnect the electrical connectors.
     • Unclip and remove the Climatronic control (heater control) trim.
     • Remove the 4 Climatronic control (heater control)-to-instrument panel screws and the control; then, disconnect the electrical connector.
     • Remove the 5 center reinforcement-to-chassis screws and the reinforcement.
     • At the driver's side, remove the 3 footwell cover screws and the cover.
     • Remove the 2 instrument cluster-to-instrument panel screws, disconnect the multi-pin electrical connector and remove the instrument cluster.
     • At the upper center of the instrument panel, unclip the photo sensor and disconnect the electrical connector.
     • Rotate the light switch knob to 0, press the knob inward, rotate it clockwise; then, pull the switch outward and disconnect the electrical connector.
     • Unclip the illumination control switch and disconnect the electrical connector.
     • Remove the instrument panel-to-chassis screws and the instrument panel from the crossmember.
   • Loosen the instrument panel crossmember-to-chassis bolts and lift the crossmember upward.
   • Disconnect the heater hoses from the heater core.
   • If not equipped with air conditioning, perform the following procedure:
     
     • Partially remove the heater/ventilation housing assembly.
     • Depress the retainer clips and remove the heater core from the heater housing.
     • If the retainer clips break, use a self-tapping screw to hold the heater core in place.

end. oUT.

Does it click or do anything? If not, then the plastic gears inside the ignition that control the vehicles ACC and ON positions along with the cranking may have slipped. Have someone to pull the ignition switch panel and check and make sure the "gears" are working properly.

Instrument Panel and Pad REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. If so equipped, unfasten the inside hood release handle.
3. Remove the steering wheel and the lower steering column cover.
4. Remove the glove box, switch panel and console. Fig. 1: Loosen the retaining nut to unfasten the inside hood release handle
   Fig. 2: If necessary, remove the dash mounted speaker covers to access hidden instrument panel bolts
   Fig. 3: Due to space limitations, some bolts are best removed with an open end or box wrench
   Fig. 4: Other bolts are easily removed with a socket
   
   
5. Remove the meter (gauge) hood, heater control panel mounting screws and separate the heater controls from the instrument panel frame. Remove the combination meter.
6. Remove the air duct(s) and the steering shaft mounting bracket bolts. Allow the column to lower.
7. Disconnect and label the meter wiring. Unfasten the mounting bolts and remove the crash pad and instrument panel. Fig. 5: Some of the instrument panel attaching bolts are hidden behind removable trim covers or plugs. Carefully pry off the cover . . .
   Fig. 6: . . . then remove the bolts with a socket
   Fig. 7: The glove box must be removed to unfasten some of the instrument panel retaining bolts
   Fig. 8: Other retaining bolts are accessible with the meter hood and combination meter removed
   To install:
   
8. Position and fasten the crash pad and instrument panel, being careful to route the wiring correctly. Attach the meter wiring to its appropriate connections.
9. Raise the steering column to its normal operating position and install the steering shaft mounting bracket bolts. Connect the air ducts.
10. Install the combination meter. Install the heater controls into the instrument panel frame with the mounting screws. Attach the meter hood.
11. Install the console, switch panel and glove box.
12. Install the steering wheel column cover and steering wheel.
13. If applicable, attach the inside hood release handle.
14. Connect the negative battery cable.

Removal & Installation

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions Section.
   
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable and wait 90 seconds for the SRS memory battery to drain.
   
   CAUTION

   After disconnecting the negative battery cable, wait for at least 30 seconds for the SRS module to deplete its stored energy.
   

3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   
4. Remove the SRS module and the steering wheel:
   
   • Steering wheel-to-SRS module nuts
     
   • SRS module from the steering wheel and disconnect the electrical connector
     
   • Steering wheel-to-steering column nut
     
   • Steering wheel from the steering column
     
5. Remove or disconnect the following:
   
   • Multi-function switch assembly
     
   • Front and rear console assemblies
     
   • Lower left side crash pad
     
   • Instrument panel
     

     Instrument panel assembly-Accent
     Click to Enlarge

     Instrument panel screw locations-Accent
     Click to Enlarge

To install:

• Instrument panel
  
• Lower left side crash pad
  
• Front and rear console assemblies
  

1. Install the SRS module and the steering wheel by installing or connecting the following:
   
   • Steering wheel to the steering column
     
   • Steering wheel-to-steering column nut and torque to 30-37 ft. lbs. (40-50 Nm)
     
   • SRS module to the steering wheel and connect the electrical connector
     
   • Steering wheel-to-SRS module nuts
     
2. Install or connect the following:
   
   • Multi-function switch assembly
     
   • Suction and discharge hoses to the evaporator assembly
     
   • Heater hoses with the vacuum hose to the heater housing
     
3. Refill the cooling system.
   
4. Connect the negative battery cable.
   
5. Evacuate, charge and leak test the air conditioning system refrigerant.
   
6. Operate the engine to normal operating temperatures; then, check the climate control operation and check for leaks.
   

one hour job. find bulb part number in bulb chart in owner manual.

go here for villager help.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/villagerquest/

Section 13-01B: Instrument Cluster — Conventional 1996 Villager Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Instrument Panel Finish Panel Removal

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable (14301).
   

1. Block the wheels (1007) to prevent the vehicle from moving.
   

1. Turn the ignition switch (11572) to the OFF position.
   

1. Shift the transmission range (TR) selector to MANUAL LOW (1).
   

1. Tilt the steering wheel (3600) to the lowest position, if equipped with a tilt wheel.
   

1. Remove the two instrument panel finish panel screws.
   

1. Remove the instrument panel finish panel (044D70) enough to access the switch electrical connectors.
   

1. Disconnect the rear windshield wiper/washer switch electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the heated back window and light switch electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the emergency warning switch electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the SECURITY indicator light electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the speed control on/off (CRUISE CONT. ON/OFF) switch electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the headlamp switch electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the autolamp/light switch rheostat resistor electrical connector.
   

1. Remove the instrument panel finish panel with the switches attached.
   

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Instrument Cluster
Removal

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable (14301).
   

1. Block the wheels (1007) to prevent the vehicle from moving.
   

1. Turn the ignition switch (11572) to the OFF position.
   

1. Shift the transmission range (TR) selector to MANUAL LOW (1).
   

1. Tilt the steering wheel (3600) to the lowest position, if equipped with a tilt wheel.
   

1. Remove the two instrument panel finish panel screws.
   

1. Remove the instrument panel finish panel (044D70) enough to access the switch electrical connectors.
   

1. Disconnect the rear windshield wiper/washer switch electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the heated back window and light switch electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the emergency warning switch electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the SECURITY indicator light electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the speed control on/off (CRUISE CONT. ON/OFF) switch electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the headlamp switch electrical connector.
   

1. Disconnect the autolamp/light switch rheostat resistor electrical connector.
   

1. Remove the instrument panel finish panel with the switches attached.
   

1. Remove the four instrument cluster screws.
   
2. Remove the transmission range indicator (7A110) from the instrument cluster (10849).
   

you have a problem with your gearbox thermo cutout £65.-- repair

remove the cluster(should be able to insert Small flat head screwdrivers into slots on plastic trim of cluster. Lower your steering wheel down and remove key. wait approx 30 seconds until cluster is off( means that the interior c.a.n. has went to sleep) unplug cluster and see if the bulbs you wish to replace are accessible from the rear cover. if not remove retaining screws and un clip rear cover from housing. You should have access to the back lighting bulbs

You need to remove the instrument panel and replace the blown bulbs.
Remove the steering wheel and lower facia panel and then reach up behind the instrument panel and push it out of the facia.
NB. Disconnnect the battery and wait for 15 mins. before removing airbag from steering wheel.
Torque setting for steering wheel nut is 80 Nm or 59 lb f

These vans are common for having cracked circuit boards in the Instrument cluster. You need to replace the circuit board. Try smacking the end of the dash and see if the gauges start working again.

hi,rear sam control ,fuel gauge,tail light,depends what equipment install at the rear,ty