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dash/console lights don't work

95 E300 Diesel, w124. Ever since I bought this car about 2 months ago, I've had this problem with the console lights. This includes the tape player, climate control, and instrument pannel. I'll be driving with my headlights on, and randomly, the dash lights will turn off. Usually, they would turn back on by themselves. I used to be able to fix this by turning the headlights off and on again, but that stopped working last week. Tried fiddling with the rheostat, but that did nothing. Checked the fuses under the hood and they all look fine, except that there are two fuses in places labeled as vacant. I'm not sure if that is significant at all. Also, the warning buzzer for leaving your headlights on has stopped working. It's almost exactly the same as this except he has a w210 which has an other fuse box on the sideof the dashboard where he found the source of his problem. I've been searching for a solution to this unsuccessfully for a while now, so here I am. Thanks for your help.

Did you ever fix this

I have exactly the same problems and have not been able to find a solution. did you ever find one??

I have the same problem with a 96 SL 500 and I think it has to do with the Rheostat which also resets the Trip Odometer. Does anyone know if this part can be pulled from the front of the cluster or have to be replaced from the back? I had purchased fuel a day earlier and reset. This is the only thing I can think of. Other functions of the same fuse all work. HELP

I took out the instrument cluster, which is pretty easy. you can then test the connections with a volt meter. also there are several terrific wiring diagrams to show the circuits. Once I had the circuit diagram it was easy to track down the failure point. I got the volt meter for $2 at harbor freight.