ON'T LAUGH BUT I CANNOT FIND THE HOOD LATCH!

Hello, Your problem of the left side dashboard dark will be that one of the two bulbs that illuminate the dash is blown. If you replace it make sure that you replace both bulbs. The other could be ready to blow.
Your starting problem could be many things. You need to find someone who knows these cars, not some goober down the street that thinks he knows everything, to ck and see if the fuel mixture has been adjusted improperly. Sometimes "mechanics " will adjust the fuel mixture to cover up other problems only to end up with problems like your having. The fuel mixture, o/2 sensor, idle stop switch, etc. has to work together for you to get the proper performance that you would expect from a Mercedes product.

By the way, someone else wanted to know if this was a diesel. A 190e 2.6 is a straight six gas motor.

If you find this information to be correct would you please enter a "fixya" rating.
Thanks, Gator241

The hood latch is located near the driver's feet, flush with driver's side wall, beneath the dash on the left hand side. It's a black, plastic latch that is shaped like a hook. After you've pulled the latch, a small latch should pop out on the left hand side of your grill. Pull the latch further out (towards you) and lift the hood with your other hand. Do not try to pull out and lift with the latch, you'll break it off.

The front headlight is easy to replace--it should be self explanatory. The directions for replacing the headlights should be in your driver's manual that comes in the glove box--it's like that for mine. Otherwise, I would look into finding a copy of the repair manual online on ebay or something, that's where I found mine for my '91.

I'm not sure enough about the rest to give you advice--sorry!