Instrument Panel
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 38
Likes: 1
From: cincinnati, ohio
1997 c280 sport
Instrument Panel
Hello all, 97 C280 Sport.
I am having an issue with my gauges. The Speedometer, Fuel Indicator, Tachometer, and Temperature Guage are not working. Everything else seems to be working. The fuel guage stays at the bottom but clicks like it is trying to move up. It almost looks like a clock ticking. Otherwise, it is not working. Does anybody know what this might be? I am stumped. The fuses are good, the connections look good. Is there a control module that I might be able to replace? Thanks for your help, I appreciate it...
Jeff
I am having an issue with my gauges. The Speedometer, Fuel Indicator, Tachometer, and Temperature Guage are not working. Everything else seems to be working. The fuel guage stays at the bottom but clicks like it is trying to move up. It almost looks like a clock ticking. Otherwise, it is not working. Does anybody know what this might be? I am stumped. The fuses are good, the connections look good. Is there a control module that I might be able to replace? Thanks for your help, I appreciate it...
Jeff
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Western Sicily, Italy
94 C200 Euro-spec & 91 200 CE Euro-spec coupe
Jeff,
I had a similar problem with my 94 C200 (Euro) gauges. It happened mostly in cold weather, but after the car warmed up (sometimes 20-30 km) the gauges would spring to life, one by one. The gas gauge was always the last to work. The only thing I have done to the car is add about 1 cup of water to the battery cells. Strangely, the gauges are working fine now, but of course, the weather here is warmer now also. I also had a problem with various warning lights (ABS,SRS, oil) coming on intermittently. This too seems to be cured by distilled water! My battery is over 4 years old but the voltage at rest and while charging seems to be normal. Possibly the MB 202 electrical system is very sensitive. Check your battery/charging system before pulling the cluster, maybe you'll be as lucky as I was. Terry in Sicily
I had a similar problem with my 94 C200 (Euro) gauges. It happened mostly in cold weather, but after the car warmed up (sometimes 20-30 km) the gauges would spring to life, one by one. The gas gauge was always the last to work. The only thing I have done to the car is add about 1 cup of water to the battery cells. Strangely, the gauges are working fine now, but of course, the weather here is warmer now also. I also had a problem with various warning lights (ABS,SRS, oil) coming on intermittently. This too seems to be cured by distilled water! My battery is over 4 years old but the voltage at rest and while charging seems to be normal. Possibly the MB 202 electrical system is very sensitive. Check your battery/charging system before pulling the cluster, maybe you'll be as lucky as I was. Terry in Sicily
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 38
Likes: 1
From: cincinnati, ohio
1997 c280 sport
It's kind of funny. I have replaced a lot of the lights on the cluster lately. Plus, I just had to buy a new battery from the dealer. The problem just recently started. However, the guages do start to work about 1 in every 5 to 7 times I start the car. That is why I wonder if it is a connection or something. Hard to tell. I need to chase some wiring.
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
2000 C280 Sport (W202)
You have to pull the cluster from the dash board, there is a special tool for that but many people use a bent hanger 
havn't tried that yet, the pegs are the little pole sticking out where the rpm, mph, gas, and temperature needles rest on when the car is off, or on empty, j/k, hope this helps!
havn't tried that yet, the pegs are the little pole sticking out where the rpm, mph, gas, and temperature needles rest on when the car is off, or on empty, j/k, hope this helps!
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 38
Likes: 1
From: cincinnati, ohio
1997 c280 sport
How do you take the cluster apart? Plus, I don't see the pegs. I did not see them at the tip of the needles, are they at the turning end. Or, am I just blind?
Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
2000 C280 Sport (W202)
lol, you may not be blind but i know for a fact that you have some...as far as the instrument panel goes, you have to bend 2 hangers to a right angle like this
__
'
'
'
'
make sure that the part that is going to be inserted is no longer than 1/2" in length...take each hanger and insert it in the crack where the cluster meets the dashboard on the left and right side, after getting it in twist the hanger and try to grab ahold of one of the many notches that are built into the cluster...at this time not visible...you should only have to insert the hangers 2"-3" into the crack, after you get the feeling that you have a good grip on the cluster with the hangers pull it out evenly making sure not to pull out one side farther then the other cuz your cluster face may crack, i hope this helps ya
__
'
'
'
'
make sure that the part that is going to be inserted is no longer than 1/2" in length...take each hanger and insert it in the crack where the cluster meets the dashboard on the left and right side, after getting it in twist the hanger and try to grab ahold of one of the many notches that are built into the cluster...at this time not visible...you should only have to insert the hangers 2"-3" into the crack, after you get the feeling that you have a good grip on the cluster with the hangers pull it out evenly making sure not to pull out one side farther then the other cuz your cluster face may crack, i hope this helps ya
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 38
Likes: 1
From: cincinnati, ohio
1997 c280 sport
I know how to remove the cluster, I have had it out several times... So, thank you to all of you who have explained how to pull it out. That is the easy part.
My question is, how do you take the cluster apart to get to the pegs so they can be cleaned??
Does anyone know this?
Again, thank you for your help, I appreciate it.
My question is, how do you take the cluster apart to get to the pegs so they can be cleaned??
Does anyone know this?
Again, thank you for your help, I appreciate it.
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 38
Likes: 1
From: cincinnati, ohio
1997 c280 sport
Apparently, my posts are not showing up on my PC, however I do know how to remove the cluster from the pod. What I do not know is how to take it apart. How do you disassemble the guage cluster? I need to get the cluster apart, not remove it from the car, I can do that already. Thanks again for your help here.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 73
Likes: 1
From: Oakville
C220
Here's a link that might help you:
http://www.geocities.com/ronaldnjoy/index.html
http://www.geocities.com/ronaldnjoy/index.html
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Lincoln Navigator 2005 white;1998 Navigator-03 Front conversion;1996 c220 white;1996Towncar White
On the w202 how do u get the cluster out? Not out or the hole I know that but out of the Dash/stering wheel area after u already have removed it from the insert area? I have owned a few benz b4 and they came out easy 129, 124, 190, 126 all so wasy. It seems im going to have 2 remove the wheel? I hope not pls help..lol
J watson303
J watson303
Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Shotts,Scotland.
1995 c220 auto
No need to remove the wheel to get the cluster out , just pull it from the dash ;you say you already know how to get this far; then tilt the cluster so you can reach behind one side with your hand and release the cam clip which holds the wiring connector ,do the same at the other side , then slide the instrument cluster out towards the centre of the car from behind the steering wheel.
It's a good idea to disconnect the car battery before starting ( check you have the radio code ) as if the ignition is turned on with the cluster disconnected it will activate the SRS warning light which will need to be reset using a code reader.
Geo.
It's a good idea to disconnect the car battery before starting ( check you have the radio code ) as if the ignition is turned on with the cluster disconnected it will activate the SRS warning light which will need to be reset using a code reader.
Geo.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, SC
E300
I'm in the process od trying to remove the cluster to replace all of the bulbs as they are out. I have the removal tool to pull out the clsuter, was able to get it completely dislodged from the dash but the steering wheel is blocking it's removal path. It doesn't appear that I will be able to remove the cluster w/o removing the steering wheel. On my w210 at least I was able to move the wheel out of the way.... Please help, what I am missing or skipping?
