newkid123

I have a 1999 c280 sport with the telescopic steering wheel. the numbers on the digital dash are not showing fulling, in regards to the outside temp, time, trip mileage and total mileage.

I have a spare fully functioning instrument cluster/ dashboard or whatever you want to call it. the only thing is, it has many more miles than mine, and I do want to go through the hassle of paying to reprogram it.

My questions:

1) can I use parts from my spare dashboard/ instrument cluster to restore the digital numbers to working properly on my cluster im currently using?

And if so what parts would these be that I would need to removed from the spare one onto the one I'm using?

2) How do I remove the dashboard/ instrument cluster from the dash.


Any help in this manner would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance.

joeljp

Hi, there are some good write ups on how to remove and fix the display but mainly to do with W208 series. However, I believe the designs are very similar between the W202 and W208 (I have both). If the designs are indeed the same then to remove it it's simply getting a good firm grip on the instrument panel and pull it forward. There are no screws to hold it in place. Then it's a matter using some foam/sponge to give the connectors better contact. It fixes the problem most of the time.

If it doesn't do the job, then you can send the unit to have it professionally repaired. Again, the posts will tell you who to send it to. I believe they do a great job.

Good luck

Rone803

Replied to wrong thread

Dirgesan

I have the same thing on my 1999 C230K. I just ordered new ribbon cables from Pixlefix for $20.84. Doesn't look that hard to do.
http://www.pixelfix.net/eng/mercedes.html

There's plenty of videos on the web that show how to remove the instrument cluster. BTW I made my own tools to remove the cluster from a bicycle spoke. I cut it in half and bent over 1/8" at 45 degrees to make a hook. The I made 90 degree bend 4-5" up and opposite the hook, to make a handle. I just push the hook end in, twist to get behind the cluster, and then pull. Comes out nice. Bike spokes are a couple of bucks or so for the cheap ones at a bike shop. I just happened to have some old ones on hand.
I don't know about your 280, but on my non-adjustable steering column 230, I have to remove the steering wheel to get the cluster out. I always feel uncomfortable working around airbags, and disconnect my battery the night before so I know there's no residual charge.