SKIDZ

After racking my brain for about a week now, and having searched everywhere on many forums for the answer......I've finally found out how to remove the instrument cluster on the W203 C230 coupe.:p :p Are there anyone else out there who needs to know how this is done? I don't want to explain how it's done unless there's interest; cause the explaination can be quite lengthy.

young

can you tell me why you'd want to do that? then, i can say if i'm interested or not.

SKIDZ

Well, this might be something for those who are interested in maybe mod'ng some aspect of the cluster....whether it be the lighting, or changing the general appearance of the cluster,etc, etc.

antonio

i am more than interested in knowing how you do it. please post info and pics. thanks.

kw230

I am interested too.
Is it a hard pain job?

CitronC230K_03

do they make cluster that have the aluminum trim like the cluster in the C32, w/out the AMG though

kw230

I am interested too.
Is it a hard pain job?

antonio

c'mon SKDZ, we're eagerly waiting. post, post, post!!!!!

R4ND0M_AX3

I'd like to know so I can see if I can change the info display color from orange to white more like the S class.

Please post any info and/or pics of the cluster removal process.

SKIDZ

Sorry I took so long, I just wasn't able to find any time to check up on the forum.
OK, here we go....in order to remove the instrument cluster you'll need some tools. Just a heavy duty wire cutter and a wire coat hanger:p . I know, pretty simple huh? I was only mess'n with you all when I said the explaination was go'n to be lengthy. Basically, the wire coat hanger will be made into a simple tool you'll need to remove the cluster. First, take the heavy duty wire cutter and cut the wire coat hanger into two (2) pieces. Each piece should be approximately 5 inches in length. It's not necessary, but I recommend that you file the ends to prevent some minor scratches that may result when you get around to using these tools. Second, you'll need to lower the steering wheel all the way down and extended all the way out. Third, and here's the tricky part , using the two pieces of hanger wire that you've cut earlier, insert one into each of the small holes on each side (left and right) of the cluster. One of these holes is directly under the little dial that you use to adjust the brightness of the instrument cluster at night. You'll need to push the tool in until you feel it hit something. If you push it in nice and straight, you won't be able to push the entire 5 inch wire in. You should have a little less than an inch left of wire sticking out. Once both wires have been pushed in, one on each side.....Fourth step is to simply slide the cluster out!!!:p :p Of course there will be a set of cables attached. Oh, BTW, follow these steps AYOR (at your own risk). I was able to do mine without any problems. You all let me know if this works out for you.

SKIDZ..

CitronC230K_03

why'd you remove it in the first place??

SKIDZ

C'mon CitronC230K_03, have you no interest in finding ways to make your car stand out from the rest? It just so happens that by being able to perform this removal, I may be able to add another little flare to my coupe that makes it a little more unique.

SoCal240/6

What's so unique about "Fully dek'd out with blue LED lighting"?

I see that on ricer Civics every day.

And, I'm sure what you're planning on doing to your poor instrument cluster is similar, standard ricer stuff - not "unique" at all.

SKIDZ

Well you're not sure, and no I'm not going to "rice out" my benz. When I said more "unique" I'm talking in terms of the MB C230K, not just any or all cars on the streets.

x15jq

How did u get blue LED's in your interior?

Post some pics, nothin wrong with uniqueness. I want to mod the instrument cluster so it lights up a different color.

merc-it

me too! personally i think the orange is kind of bleh. i like the lighting in the vw's

SKIDZ

I think the amber isn't that great look'n either! However, I've yet to be able to change the instrument cluster lignting to blue LEDs. I made an attempt the day I finally figured out how to remove the cluster, but thought twice about possibly voiding my warranty. I think it would be very difficult to accomplish this change-over.

x15jq

What about your interior LED's?

How are those set up.

SKIDZ

OK, you asked for it....
The front interior dome light has a custom made LED assembly that holds some 12 CLEAR/BLUE emitting LEDs.
The rear interior light holds 6 of the same LEDs.
There are 3 LEDs lighting each side of the front foot-wells.
One LED lights the ash tray.
One LED lighting each of the vents, closest to the tweeters.
At night, all these light up spontaneously upon my unlocking of the car. And bboooyyyy, let me tell ya...... there has not been a single time, when people are near, that it has not caught their attention. The BLUE gives a spacy effect, very cool .

young

i'd like to see some pics also please.

x15jq

hell yea we wanna see it!



HOw did you wire up the led's? I want to do this.

SKIDZ

Sorry Young, as much as I would like to share this with you all....I have no way of doing so. I promise, as soon as I can I will.

x15jq

What star is lit luminous blue?

young

ok, get a digicam soon. btw, you spelled obsidian incorrectly in your sig.

SKIDZ

The star on the grill.