C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

multifunction display brightness question

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Old Jul 10, 2008 | 01:45 AM
  #1  
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multifunction display brightness question

Anyone's display on the instrument cluster (the multifunction one between the tach and speedometer) seem very dim during the day. Sometimes, I can barely read it. I am not sure if this has always been this way. I tried to turn the brightness switch but does not have an affect.
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Old Jul 10, 2008 | 02:12 AM
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c240
ya i have the same problem sometimes its fine and sometimes its very dim. its weird
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Old Jul 10, 2008 | 08:26 AM
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02 C320 Sedan
Mine does the same thing when my car gets hot.. The top and very bottom of the display is unreadable. But at night and in the morning when i drive to work its perfectly fine.
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Old Jul 10, 2008 | 10:17 AM
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Mine did that as well - I complained to the dealer and they replaced the cluster under warranty
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Old Jul 10, 2008 | 12:04 PM
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1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
there was a thread about this about a year or two ago... look for it.
Apparently it was affecting more W203's than normal, and dealerships were replacing clusters under warranty. Not sure if they ever issued a TSB on it though.

Carlos

Saprissa
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Old Jul 10, 2008 | 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Saprissa
there was a thread about this about a year or two ago... look for it.
Apparently it was affecting more W203's than normal, and dealerships were replacing clusters under warranty. Not sure if they ever issued a TSB on it though.

Carlos

Saprissa
Got mine replaced under warranty because of the issue . I don't think a TSB was ever released though.
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Old Jul 10, 2008 | 01:23 PM
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Never had that issue on my car
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Old Jul 10, 2008 | 02:19 PM
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My display ('03 c230k) was fading around the outside edges when it would get hot outside. The dealer replaced it while it was still under warranty. Quite a few posts about this a year or so ago. Hope you're still under warranty ...
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Old Jul 10, 2008 | 05:25 PM
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having this issue for a long time. not changing the cluster unless I really have to because they need to flash the ecu.
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Old Jul 10, 2008 | 06:36 PM
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Originally Posted by FrankW
having this issue for a long time. not changing the cluster unless I really have to because they need to flash the ecu.
Really Frank? They didn't need to on mine.
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Old Jul 10, 2008 | 11:27 PM
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If it’s in warranty obviously let the dealer replace the cluster. If it’s out, call these guys. http://www.bba-reman.com/ They repair vehicle control units and dash clusters. You just couldn't drive your car while it’s in the repair process but you will save at least a $1000 and a trip to the dealer.
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Old Jul 11, 2008 | 01:04 AM
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Originally Posted by drexappeal
Really Frank? They didn't need to on mine.
if you didn't need it then i probably won't need to reflash. i'll talk to my advisor again.
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Old Jul 19, 2008 | 10:04 PM
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so I got the cluster replaced. ecu doesn't seem to be a problem or have been touched (i hope). the bulb dying (screen getting dark) isn't covered under extended warranty, but pixel dying from heat is covered under warranty.

some cool facts I didn't know:

1. the newer cluster when the parking brake goes on it shows a graph instead of the old "brake" letter in red.
2. I now get the sun roof open msg when pulling the key out.
3. the mph font when you scroll to the digital speed screen seems to be different.
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Old Jul 20, 2008 | 12:47 PM
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Can you take a picture?
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Old Jul 20, 2008 | 03:16 PM
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Frank a part number will be great........ mines fades out with its really hot outside. i wanted to get the W209 cluster but Steve not coming to NYC no time soon so i gotta live with the W203 cluster.
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Old Jul 20, 2008 | 07:25 PM
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Originally Posted by FrankW
so I got the cluster replaced. ecu doesn't seem to be a problem or have been touched (i hope). the bulb dying (screen getting dark) isn't covered under extended warranty, but pixel dying from heat is covered under warranty.

some cool facts I didn't know:

1. the newer cluster when the parking brake goes on it shows a graph instead of the old "brake" letter in red.
2. I now get the sun roof open msg when pulling the key out.
3. the mph font when you scroll to the digital speed screen seems to be different.
So strange cuz mine still says "brake" for the parking, but it's always given me the sunroof warning.
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 01:02 AM
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chrisbrown, it's still the same C32 cluster, but newer. you already have a better looking cluster.

mike, I'll call up my advisor and have him sent me the copy of the worksheet since he forgot to give me one. let u know the part # when I receive the worksheet.

drex, yea, I dunno...i think I like the old "brake" in red vs the graph since I thought I had a actual brake problem when I saw that graph. I never had the sunroof open warning, but it was probably just the 02 never had it activated.

btw, I also notice the seatbelt warning beep is different (higher pitch) and definitely more annoying than before.
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 01:27 AM
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Had mine replaced under warranty. Top and bottom rows would fade out if the interior was too hot (ie parked in summer sun all day). They replaced my 2003 cluster with a 2004. How do I know? I now get the Sunroof Open warnings, and the Distronic lights are gone. Oh, and it now says Km instead of km. :drive:
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by FrankW
btw, I also notice the seatbelt warning beep is different (higher pitch) and definitely more annoying than before.
Yup. I was going to have Steve deactivate through Star Diagnose, but never got around to it.
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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 01:20 PM
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Mine is faded from the heat but my car is out of warranty so I wonder how much they would charge me to replace?
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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 02:52 PM
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Mine does that in this wonderful Texas heat everyday,but as soon as the AC cools the car off everythings back to normal. Even if it was still under warranty I wouldnt worry about it-we're talking a couple minutes of it being like that!
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