DIY: Instrument Gauge Cluster Removal; Screen Replacement
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 912
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From: Houston
02 cl203
https://mbworld.org/forums/members/valexv-42933-albums-instrument-cluster-148.html
I added pics of the board to the album
13 leds that need to be replaced to change the color, just the arcs. The ones behind the screen wont help unless the screen is a different color. The rest are the warning lights and others.
If I can figure out how to power it up without connect the spare to my car i will swap them out and test it.
The other idea is to cover up those leds and place other wired leds in front of them with a switch.
I added pics of the board to the album
13 leds that need to be replaced to change the color, just the arcs. The ones behind the screen wont help unless the screen is a different color. The rest are the warning lights and others.
If I can figure out how to power it up without connect the spare to my car i will swap them out and test it.
The other idea is to cover up those leds and place other wired leds in front of them with a switch.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
As we all know that screen is certainly not mfg'd by MB.
Is there any indication of the mfg or a pn?
(How cool would it be if we could get a different color, i hate the orange).
You may need a magnifying glass to see it.
Is there any indication of the mfg or a pn?
(How cool would it be if we could get a different color, i hate the orange).
You may need a magnifying glass to see it.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 842
Likes: 2
2001 c320 - 2002 ml55 - 2011 c300 - 2014 slk350 - 2015 cla45
this is a great post... i got lucky (twice) and had the my stealership change mine under warranty (i had like 3 or 4 days left prior to expiring)... parts and labor would have cost me over 1g.
a little over a year after replacement (13 months - post 1 year warranty on the replacement display) the replacement display started to fade... and the stealership replaced it again... for free.
-carino
a little over a year after replacement (13 months - post 1 year warranty on the replacement display) the replacement display started to fade... and the stealership replaced it again... for free.
-carino
Last edited by ML55CLA45; Nov 15, 2008 at 05:55 PM. Reason: error
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 92
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From: Naperville, IL
2008 BMW 135i
Changing colors...
Any info on changing the amber screen color as well as all the other interior amber-lit items would be greatly appreciated.
Are the translucent parts of the interior buttons actually amber, or are the bulbs/LED's amber?
Any leads on compatibility with the white s-class screen?
Are the translucent parts of the interior buttons actually amber, or are the bulbs/LED's amber?
Any leads on compatibility with the white s-class screen?
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Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 64
From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Nice post!
A couple of points. You can easily change the color of the needles by "painting" the top of them with a Sharpie marker. It won't mess with the calibration, as it adds no weight. The only bad thing is it fades over time.
2nd point is I bet you can send your bad screen out to an LCD repair shop and have them repair it and change the color as well. There are tons of LCD repair shops around these days.
A couple of points. You can easily change the color of the needles by "painting" the top of them with a Sharpie marker. It won't mess with the calibration, as it adds no weight. The only bad thing is it fades over time.
2nd point is I bet you can send your bad screen out to an LCD repair shop and have them repair it and change the color as well. There are tons of LCD repair shops around these days.
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 64
From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
They will still illuminate, as the Sharpie color is semi-transparent. I did the needles in my Sentra with a blue sharpie 1st and it killed the illumination, but the read sharpie had no problem with illumination.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: NEW jersey
c240
HELP ME FIX MY ISSUE !!!
how do i remove the plastic cover of the speedometer ?
i guess somehow while i was cleaning the car with armor all it sprayed into it and now its stained with the liquid on the inside..
i need to remove the plastic to clean it and its a big problem now.
any help would be appriciated.
i guess somehow while i was cleaning the car with armor all it sprayed into it and now its stained with the liquid on the inside..
i need to remove the plastic to clean it and its a big problem now.
any help would be appriciated.
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 22
From: VA
THE C350
i saw a thread on here about taking apart the speedometer. first you will need to remove the whole thing by getting the mercedes tools or coat hangers then i think the plastic cover snaps off. are you sure that it is underneath it seems to be well sealed?
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Cancún, México
E430 1998 and C320 2002
How can I get it????
Hi, I also have a C class with the faded screen, I live in Mexico and they only sell the whole panel (2000 USD here in Mexico!!!) can you thell me where I can find the replacement part?
It woul be a great help! Thanks, by the way: great job!
It woul be a great help! Thanks, by the way: great job!
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: south florida
c230 cp
Thanks for the DIY !!!!!! Best thread ever..lol I rolled the dice on a low milage sedan cluster on ebay...$44.00. Took it apart in less than 5 min, pulled the cluster from my wifes coupe, and was finished in less than 20 min. It was so easy and works just fine, nice and bright. Only had to reset the clock. Thanks for the great info!!! Now, how do i remove the needles so i can use the cleaner/nicer gauge face from the newer car??
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Eugene, OR
'04 c230 Coupe, '09 SLK 55
Great Thread! Thanks! I found a cluster in a totaled C230. I replaced the old cluster with the "new" cluster and had a couple of errors. Can I reset these errors with an ODB scanner?
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Eugene, OR
'04 c230 Coupe, '09 SLK 55
The entire cluster.
I tried to change just the screen as in the first of this thread and had the same results as prior. I determined that I needed to swap the led's as well and thought changing the whole cluster would be easier.
I tried to change just the screen as in the first of this thread and had the same results as prior. I determined that I needed to swap the led's as well and thought changing the whole cluster would be easier.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,152
Likes: 60
From: NJ, NYC
Something Slow
well i think you may have done a boo boo by switching Clusters.... a bad boo boo too! the cluster you installed did it have Less than 1000k miles on it?
Do a Search for "Cluster"
Do a Search for "Cluster"
Last edited by WaveyKat; Oct 31, 2009 at 07:29 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Eugene, OR
'04 c230 Coupe, '09 SLK 55
Thanks for the reply. I've got the old cluster back in and everything works fine. It reads 63xxx miles. I was under the impression that the cluster got it's information from the CAN bus. What are you saying the boo boo is?
Again, thanks.
S.
Again, thanks.
S.
