DIY Instrument Cluster/Gauge Removal for 2012+ Models?
06-30-2014, 04:39 PM
#1
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DIY Instrument Cluster/Gauge Removal for 2012+ Models?
Does anyone have a DIY on how to remove the instrument cluster for 2012 and up facelifted/coupe models? I have a bug that somehow crawled in my instrument cluster and died, and the dealer wants $150 to look at it, then another $150 in labor to remove it. 
I've found instructions for pre-facelift C63's but nothing for 2012 and up. Thanks guys, I going crazy staring at this dead bug every day.
I've found instructions for pre-facelift C63's but nothing for 2012 and up. Thanks guys, I going crazy staring at this dead bug every day.
06-30-2014, 06:26 PM
#4
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Thread Starter
There are a couple vids on youtube, and I know I've seen a written DIY on the non-AMG W204 C Class forum, I think. Here's one I found for pre-facelift:
I thought about that, but I need to remove the clear plastic first. Here's what it looks like. God dammit, just looking at this picture uspets me lol.
I thought about that, but I need to remove the clear plastic first. Here's what it looks like. God dammit, just looking at this picture uspets me lol.
07-01-2014, 01:25 AM
#7
MBWorld Fanatic!
That would bug the hell out of me. Heh, too funny.
It really can't be too complicated or far off from the pre-facelift, can it? If that happened to me I would start digging away and just make sure I'd be able to undo what I was doing.
One thing I would be mindful of is that you take it apart in a dry place and keep it VERY clean. God forbid you get the bug out only to leave a fingerprint behind.
It really can't be too complicated or far off from the pre-facelift, can it? If that happened to me I would start digging away and just make sure I'd be able to undo what I was doing.
One thing I would be mindful of is that you take it apart in a dry place and keep it VERY clean. God forbid you get the bug out only to leave a fingerprint behind.
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07-01-2014, 11:45 AM
#9
Senior Member
I had the same issue and after tapping like crazy on the gauge window it turns out the spider was still alive and I was able to chase it out of the gauge with a flashlight. It has not been back since *knock on wood* but please post if you do find a DIY because I couldn't find one either.
On a 2012+ the outer molding goes all the way around the nav unit and not just the gauge cluster like the above shot, so I couldn't even get past that first step lol
On a 2012+ the outer molding goes all the way around the nav unit and not just the gauge cluster like the above shot, so I couldn't even get past that first step lol
07-01-2014, 02:22 PM
#10
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Thread Starter
That would bug the hell out of me. Heh, too funny.
It really can't be too complicated or far off from the pre-facelift, can it? If that happened to me I would start digging away and just make sure I'd be able to undo what I was doing.
One thing I would be mindful of is that you take it apart in a dry place and keep it VERY clean. God forbid you get the bug out only to leave a fingerprint behind.
It really can't be too complicated or far off from the pre-facelift, can it? If that happened to me I would start digging away and just make sure I'd be able to undo what I was doing.
One thing I would be mindful of is that you take it apart in a dry place and keep it VERY clean. God forbid you get the bug out only to leave a fingerprint behind.
I had the same issue and after tapping like crazy on the gauge window it turns out the spider was still alive and I was able to chase it out of the gauge with a flashlight. It has not been back since *knock on wood* but please post if you do find a DIY because I couldn't find one either.
On a 2012+ the outer molding goes all the way around the nav unit and not just the gauge cluster like the above shot, so I couldn't even get past that first step lol
On a 2012+ the outer molding goes all the way around the nav unit and not just the gauge cluster like the above shot, so I couldn't even get past that first step lol
07-02-2014, 07:01 PM
#12
MBWorld Fanatic!
Nicely done.
How patient are you going to be? If nobody else is willing and you can't take it to a dealer MAYBE I will play around with the cluster when I get another C. Hopefully I have one on the way on Monday but probably wont take delivery for a couple weeks depending on what we find out there and how far away it is.
How patient are you going to be? If nobody else is willing and you can't take it to a dealer MAYBE I will play around with the cluster when I get another C. Hopefully I have one on the way on Monday but probably wont take delivery for a couple weeks depending on what we find out there and how far away it is.
07-08-2014, 02:23 AM
#13
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Thread Starter
Nicely done.
How patient are you going to be? If nobody else is willing and you can't take it to a dealer MAYBE I will play around with the cluster when I get another C. Hopefully I have one on the way on Monday but probably wont take delivery for a couple weeks depending on what we find out there and how far away it is.
How patient are you going to be? If nobody else is willing and you can't take it to a dealer MAYBE I will play around with the cluster when I get another C. Hopefully I have one on the way on Monday but probably wont take delivery for a couple weeks depending on what we find out there and how far away it is.
Still need help, any MB techs out there, or anyone with access to service manuals?
08-07-2014, 07:31 PM
#16
Wow lol, what kind of bug is that? this is kind of funny hahaha but must be annoying at the same time, design flaw in the instrument cluster? Not sure why MB didnt cover all openings to the gauge cluster. I know someone who had a bug died in their tail light, same situation lol. Maybe try using compressed air to blow it out...
08-07-2014, 09:29 PM
#18
MBWorld Fanatic!
Lol dean, I have a C63 now. You've been waiting a while on this I see.
I am pretty busy right now and have a rifle shoot all weekend. Maybe I can take a stab sometime next week. As of next tuesday I have a week and a half off so maybe I'll get crazy
I am pretty busy right now and have a rifle shoot all weekend. Maybe I can take a stab sometime next week. As of next tuesday I have a week and a half off so maybe I'll get crazy
08-07-2014, 10:20 PM
#19
MBWorld Fanatic!
He'll just disappear with time 
As for that video of a PreFL.... what was the guy doing? Modifying the odometer, the key module... hummm.... fishy!lol!
As for that video of a PreFL.... what was the guy doing? Modifying the odometer, the key module... hummm.... fishy!lol!
08-08-2014, 03:08 PM
#20
Member
Thread Starter
@Maximus, I'm going to PM him. Edit: He removed PFL, I need to remove FL cluster.
@AlwaysLooking, PM coming your way!
@PurpleHeart, hahah still waiting, I'll let you know if I can get some help before you take yours apart.
Thanks for the input guys!
@AlwaysLooking, PM coming your way!
@PurpleHeart, hahah still waiting, I'll let you know if I can get some help before you take yours apart.
Thanks for the input guys!
Last edited by deanmc; 08-08-2014 at 03:11 PM.
08-08-2014, 03:12 PM
#21
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08-08-2014, 08:42 PM
#22
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C250
Ok let's start....first thing you need to do is get a couple plastic pry tools.
1-you need to remove the trim piece over the glove box first, start prying with your pry tool from the bottom on the far right first. When you get to the vents in the center you will need a small screwdriver to push two small tabs on the inside of the vent on the right and left side. The whole trim piece will now come out.
2-you need to remove the lower dash piece, start by sliding the grill looking pieces next to the display screen toward the inside of the display (they slide in and come off accessing two small torx screws. Remove them and let the screen come forward, the rest of the piece just clips out, pull up and out.
3-next you need to remove the upper cluster cover. It also is just clipped in, pull down and out.
4-next the cluster will come out. I believe it was just two torx screws on the upper top area.
1-you need to remove the trim piece over the glove box first, start prying with your pry tool from the bottom on the far right first. When you get to the vents in the center you will need a small screwdriver to push two small tabs on the inside of the vent on the right and left side. The whole trim piece will now come out.
2-you need to remove the lower dash piece, start by sliding the grill looking pieces next to the display screen toward the inside of the display (they slide in and come off accessing two small torx screws. Remove them and let the screen come forward, the rest of the piece just clips out, pull up and out.
3-next you need to remove the upper cluster cover. It also is just clipped in, pull down and out.
4-next the cluster will come out. I believe it was just two torx screws on the upper top area.
08-09-2014, 04:43 AM
#23
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Thread Starter
Ok let's start....first thing you need to do is get a couple plastic pry tools.
1-you need to remove the trim piece over the glove box first, start prying with your pry tool from the bottom on the far right first. When you get to the vents in the center you will need a small screwdriver to push two small tabs on the inside of the vent on the right and left side. The whole trim piece will now come out.
2-you need to remove the lower dash piece, start by sliding the grill looking pieces next to the display screen toward the inside of the display (they slide in and come off accessing two small torx screws. Remove them and let the screen come forward, the rest of the piece just clips out, pull up and out.
3-next you need to remove the upper cluster cover. It also is just clipped in, pull down and out.
4-next the cluster will come out. I believe it was just two torx screws on the upper top area.
1-you need to remove the trim piece over the glove box first, start prying with your pry tool from the bottom on the far right first. When you get to the vents in the center you will need a small screwdriver to push two small tabs on the inside of the vent on the right and left side. The whole trim piece will now come out.
2-you need to remove the lower dash piece, start by sliding the grill looking pieces next to the display screen toward the inside of the display (they slide in and come off accessing two small torx screws. Remove them and let the screen come forward, the rest of the piece just clips out, pull up and out.
3-next you need to remove the upper cluster cover. It also is just clipped in, pull down and out.
4-next the cluster will come out. I believe it was just two torx screws on the upper top area.
08-09-2014, 11:01 AM
#24
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2012 P31 C63 Coupe Trackrat, 2019 GLE63S Coupe Beast
Awesome Alwayslooking thanks dude.
Somewhat related - I mean no hijack at all - once you have the cluster out, does anyone know how much more is required to remove the entire upper dash area above the glovebox? I'm considering a little project to cover the plastic upper dash in Alcantara to match the shift boot and steering wheel, but KNOW that more often than not, once you take apart a dash they are never the same again (rttles, clips not fitting back in place, trim misaligned, etc). Looking for anyone who has done it successfully, thanks.
Somewhat related - I mean no hijack at all - once you have the cluster out, does anyone know how much more is required to remove the entire upper dash area above the glovebox? I'm considering a little project to cover the plastic upper dash in Alcantara to match the shift boot and steering wheel, but KNOW that more often than not, once you take apart a dash they are never the same again (rttles, clips not fitting back in place, trim misaligned, etc). Looking for anyone who has done it successfully, thanks.
08-10-2014, 06:19 AM
#25
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Thread Starter
Alwayslooking: Thank you for posting the directions, followed them exactly and was able to get to my cluster. Unclipped one side of the the cluster cover and shook the damn bug out, finally. Instructions were perfect, except that there were 4 torx screws. Hardest part for me was putting everything back, making sure all the clips were lined up and pushed in. Also, some of the pieces needed to be pulled pretty hard. Thanks again for your help, if you're local or are in So Cal anytime, I'd love to buy you a round.
Added bonus: My dash no longer rattles!
Added bonus: My dash no longer rattles!
