C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

DIY: Instrument Gauge Cluster Removal; Screen Replacement

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Old 11-13-2008, 10:27 AM
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02 cl203
https://mbworld.org/forums/members/valexv-42933-albums-instrument-cluster-148.html

I added pics of the board to the album
13 leds that need to be replaced to change the color, just the arcs. The ones behind the screen wont help unless the screen is a different color. The rest are the warning lights and others.

If I can figure out how to power it up without connect the spare to my car i will swap them out and test it.

The other idea is to cover up those leds and place other wired leds in front of them with a switch.
Old 11-13-2008, 10:28 AM
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02 cl203
Also I notice that the number panel has a bump byt the 10 in the tach, which i need to remove the needles to replace.

How hard would it be to recalibrate the needles?
Old 11-13-2008, 12:54 PM
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C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort (What the heck, it gets 38 mpg!)
As we all know that screen is certainly not mfg'd by MB.
Is there any indication of the mfg or a pn?
(How cool would it be if we could get a different color, i hate the orange).

You may need a magnifying glass to see it.
Old 11-13-2008, 12:57 PM
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i will check out that tonight, i don't remember seeing anything on it.
Old 11-14-2008, 09:37 AM
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02 cl203
On the strip from the screen there are numbers on it

92 281 638
HLM7804

1025 - 40
Old 11-15-2008, 05:54 PM
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2001 c320 - 2002 ml55 - 2011 c300 - 2014 slk350 - 2015 cla45
this is a great post... i got lucky (twice) and had the my stealership change mine under warranty (i had like 3 or 4 days left prior to expiring)... parts and labor would have cost me over 1g.

a little over a year after replacement (13 months - post 1 year warranty on the replacement display) the replacement display started to fade... and the stealership replaced it again... for free.

-carino

Last edited by ML55CLA45; 11-15-2008 at 05:55 PM. Reason: error
Old 11-17-2008, 12:24 AM
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Old 11-26-2008, 05:02 PM
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Changing colors...

Any info on changing the amber screen color as well as all the other interior amber-lit items would be greatly appreciated.

Are the translucent parts of the interior buttons actually amber, or are the bulbs/LED's amber?

Any leads on compatibility with the white s-class screen?

Originally Posted by valexv
Tommy went to the dealer to see if they sell the screen, you will have to buy the whole cluster for 1g. The older s-class has a white lcd screen, I wonder if that would work
Old 11-26-2008, 05:28 PM
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Nice post!

A couple of points. You can easily change the color of the needles by "painting" the top of them with a Sharpie marker. It won't mess with the calibration, as it adds no weight. The only bad thing is it fades over time.

2nd point is I bet you can send your bad screen out to an LCD repair shop and have them repair it and change the color as well. There are tons of LCD repair shops around these days.
Old 11-26-2008, 06:26 PM
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02 cl203
if i color the needles, then they won't illuminate like they are suppose to, i need to change the backing or sticker they use.
Old 11-26-2008, 06:38 PM
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They will still illuminate, as the Sharpie color is semi-transparent. I did the needles in my Sentra with a blue sharpie 1st and it killed the illumination, but the read sharpie had no problem with illumination.
Old 12-02-2008, 12:38 AM
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c240
HELP ME FIX MY ISSUE !!!

how do i remove the plastic cover of the speedometer ?

i guess somehow while i was cleaning the car with armor all it sprayed into it and now its stained with the liquid on the inside..

i need to remove the plastic to clean it and its a big problem now.

any help would be appriciated.
Old 12-02-2008, 04:30 AM
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THE C350
i saw a thread on here about taking apart the speedometer. first you will need to remove the whole thing by getting the mercedes tools or coat hangers then i think the plastic cover snaps off. are you sure that it is underneath it seems to be well sealed?
Old 12-02-2008, 05:28 AM
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late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Go here

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...rument+cluster
Old 12-03-2008, 01:19 AM
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c240
thank you sir !!!

i will be doing this myself....i have all the tools
Old 02-06-2009, 06:26 PM
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E430 1998 and C320 2002
How can I get it????

Hi, I also have a C class with the faded screen, I live in Mexico and they only sell the whole panel (2000 USD here in Mexico!!!) can you thell me where I can find the replacement part?

It woul be a great help! Thanks, by the way: great job!
Old 02-06-2009, 08:03 PM
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i purchased a used cluster as a whole also. so far no one has found a replacement screen only.
Old 09-02-2009, 03:25 PM
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anyone has any new info?

mine fades when hot.
Old 09-02-2009, 03:39 PM
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NiCe DiY..
Old 09-28-2009, 07:18 PM
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Thanks for the DIY !!!!!! Best thread ever..lol I rolled the dice on a low milage sedan cluster on ebay...$44.00. Took it apart in less than 5 min, pulled the cluster from my wifes coupe, and was finished in less than 20 min. It was so easy and works just fine, nice and bright. Only had to reset the clock. Thanks for the great info!!! Now, how do i remove the needles so i can use the cleaner/nicer gauge face from the newer car??
Old 10-31-2009, 05:16 PM
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'04 c230 Coupe, '09 SLK 55
Great Thread! Thanks! I found a cluster in a totaled C230. I replaced the old cluster with the "new" cluster and had a couple of errors. Can I reset these errors with an ODB scanner?
Old 10-31-2009, 06:10 PM
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Something Slow
did you REplace the entire CLUSTER or the "LED Screen"?
Old 10-31-2009, 07:13 PM
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'04 c230 Coupe, '09 SLK 55
The entire cluster.

I tried to change just the screen as in the first of this thread and had the same results as prior. I determined that I needed to swap the led's as well and thought changing the whole cluster would be easier.
Old 10-31-2009, 07:26 PM
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Something Slow
well i think you may have done a boo boo by switching Clusters.... a bad boo boo too! the cluster you installed did it have Less than 1000k miles on it?

Do a Search for "Cluster"

Last edited by WaveyKat; 10-31-2009 at 07:29 PM.
Old 10-31-2009, 07:36 PM
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'04 c230 Coupe, '09 SLK 55
Thanks for the reply. I've got the old cluster back in and everything works fine. It reads 63xxx miles. I was under the impression that the cluster got it's information from the CAN bus. What are you saying the boo boo is?

Again, thanks.

S.


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