golfinator

In replacing the dash pixel ribbon cable, has anyone had any experience in using the silver vs carbon ribbons? Silver is advertised as needing no soldering or T-tips for installation.

Cloudsurfer

What are these silver ribbons that you speak of?

golfinator

The ribbon cable contains silver instead of carbon. The vendor claims no soldering is required vs carbon cables which require soldering. Supposed to be longer lasting and better connection for dash readout.

SerbNerd

I know on the facelift that soldering is not required. When I did mine, I just put a shim between the ribbon cable and plastic clips.

Don't understand difference between metal used...either has proper connection or it doesn't. Soldering is best imho but is not fun with ribbon cables

golfinator

Please see this link for comparison
http://www.diyparadise.net/carbon_or_silver.html

SerbNerd

Are your ribbon cables damaged?

golfinator

My 2002 E430 has 168k mi. Clock and drive gear displays are on their way out. I've seen the various posts about putting shims on the ribbon cable to tighten the end connection, but this is not always a sure cure. The ribbon cable replacement seems to have the best odds of success for a more permanent solution. Now I'm trying to find a testimonial for using the silver instead of the carbon ribbon cables.

SerbNerd

I would just shim it but I agree that if you're doing it, might as well do it once and call it a day.

As long as the ribbons aren't a ridiculous price < 10-15USD, go for it. Take lots of pictures for those updates!

Cloudsurfer

My 99 E300TD is just starting to have the top 1/4th of the LCD fail (single LCD cluster). If I'm going to take this apart, I want a total fix, along with LED lighting......