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

w203 instrument cluster lcd!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Aug 1, 2010 | 06:44 PM
  #51  
mleskovar's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Originally Posted by samaritrey
...I also have the pdf they sent me to try to fix it ...
If it's the same "LCD bias" paper I have from Sacer it's no good. The voltages they give you are wrong. There's no way you can adjust the voltages to within the ranges they specify. Some of the voltages aren't even the correct polarity. I even had an instrument repair guy who works with Sacer all the time unable to get an answer out of them.
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2010 | 08:14 PM
  #52  
samaritrey's Avatar
Super Moderator
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 22
From: VA
THE C350
Originally Posted by mleskovar
If it's the same "LCD bias" paper I have from Sacer it's no good. The voltages they give you are wrong. There's no way you can adjust the voltages to within the ranges they specify. Some of the voltages aren't even the correct polarity. I even had an instrument repair guy who works with Sacer all the time unable to get an answer out of them.
yeah same one never really looked into it glad i didn't try to fix it.
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2011 | 10:54 AM
  #53  
jelecroy's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
2024 EQE Sedan (on order)
I bought a replacement LCD display directly from minitools in Italy:
http://audipixelrepair.com/lcd-displ...edes-w203-w209
Lisa at Minitools shipped promptly, the display was packed well, arrived a couple days after I paid via Paypal. Installed and looks good, even at high temp. This installation is not difficult. BUT. They got the polarization wrong (off by 90 degrees) on the replacement part, and if you drive using polarized sunglasses, the display appears black. Not a showstopper, but it is annoying.
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2011 | 09:34 PM
  #54  
Ribo89's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: USA
a Tank
I have the same fading problem when it gets hot. I'm thinking of getting an old IC from ebay and replacing the screens. How much is a new screen?
Reply
Old May 17, 2011 | 08:18 PM
  #55  
jelecroy's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
2024 EQE Sedan (on order)
I ordered a replacement LCD from a supplier in Italy. Good service. I paid by PayPal and the part was here in just a couple days. Well packaged - appears to be high qualty. I put it in my C240, and the display looked great, UNTIL I put on my (polarized) sunglasses, at which time it looked dark, I mean black. Turns out that the Italian connection must not have spec'd the polarization axis on the replacement displays. Ouch. So I've bought a sheet of optical film, a "1/2 wave retarder" film, and cut a piece to go in front of the new display. The retarder twists the light polarization axis 90 degrees, so now it appearsthe same as the old display (and the radio) and looks fine, even with sunglasses, and even at 100 F. I bought a large enough sheet to do ten displays - if you would like one you can send me a pm. I think $8 plus postage will let me recoup what I paid for the film.
Reply
Old May 19, 2011 | 08:56 PM
  #56  
drb930's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 468
Likes: 23
From: Los Angeles
2005 C230 Sport Coupe
Originally Posted by jelecroy
I bought a replacement LCD display directly from minitools in Italy:
http://audipixelrepair.com/lcd-displ...edes-w203-w209
Lisa at Minitools shipped promptly, the display was packed well, arrived a couple days after I paid via Paypal. Installed and looks good, even at high temp. This installation is not difficult. BUT. They got the polarization wrong (off by 90 degrees) on the replacement part, and if you drive using polarized sunglasses, the display appears black. Not a showstopper, but it is annoying.
How much was the screen from them, I didn't see a price?

Thanks,
Dave
Reply
Old May 20, 2011 | 06:12 PM
  #57  
jelecroy's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
2024 EQE Sedan (on order)
80 Euros for the part, plus 30 Euro shipping. I think the shipping is the same whether you buy one or ten. They shipped Fed-Ex 2nd day, IIRC.
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2011 | 03:41 PM
  #58  
gatonls's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL
97 E320, 04 C230K, 06 R500
Anyone have one laying around for sale? Need one badley
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 25, 2011 | 12:23 AM
  #59  
samaritrey's Avatar
Super Moderator
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 22
From: VA
THE C350
I have one but I have the old one that needs sodering to get the voltages into spec but it would be cheap since I have had it on my book shelf for over a year. BTW it is fine from the earthquake. The book case fell over but did not hurt the box the screen was in. lol
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2011 | 01:48 AM
  #60  
Boom vang's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 11
From: Toronto, Canada
2019 C300 Wagon; '75 Triumph TR6; previous: 2004 C230 6spd sold after 17 years of driving
not sure why this type of part is failing, it should really be good for the life of the car, the Japanese car companies don't seem to have this type of failure.

Mine is starting to fade and always thought that VDO was a quality manufacturer. It is these BS failures in this car that really irks me and Mercedes via their suppliers should be covering replacement. What happened to Made in Germany quality?
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2011 | 07:58 PM
  #61  
BOSOXXX's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Gla250
Jelecroy
I was curious, in your post you indicate it is not difficult to install. Do you have any instructions, I am a novice when it comes to working on my car but the dealership cost to fix this is not reasonable.
Also, have you experienced any issues since installation?
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2011 | 08:47 PM
  #62  
Ribo89's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: USA
a Tank
BOSOXXX this should help you https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...placement.html
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2011 | 07:59 PM
  #63  
BOSOXXX's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Gla250
Originally Posted by Ribo89

Ribo89, thanks this link is very helpful. Do you know anything about the part from italy described above?
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2011 | 10:42 PM
  #64  
Ribo89's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: USA
a Tank
No clue. I also need the lcd screen and I'm thinking of just buying an old cluster and swapping the screens. How did you get the lcd screen?
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2011 | 11:20 PM
  #65  
BOSOXXX's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Gla250
Originally Posted by Ribo89
No clue. I also need the lcd screen and I'm thinking of just buying an old cluster and swapping the screens. How did you get the lcd screen?
I don't have the lcd screen, the link below takes you to a website in italy that sells them. I have an email into them trying to find out how to purchase and I am waiting for a response.

http://audipixelrepair.com/lcd-displ...edes-w203-w209

I can't find any information describing the success of this part.
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2011 | 11:27 PM
  #66  
BOSOXXX's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Gla250
Originally Posted by BOSOXXX
I don't have the lcd screen, the link below takes you to a website in italy that sells them. I have an email into them trying to find out how to purchase and I am waiting for a response.

http://audipixelrepair.com/lcd-displ...edes-w203-w209

I can't find any information describing the success of this part.
Also found this youtube video for removing the instrument cluster.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjEFdu2mq0c
Reply
Old Jan 11, 2012 | 08:31 PM
  #67  
booakley@yahoo.'s Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
w203
I need an LCD

I would like to purchase an LCD for my W203, If you have any left.
E-mail me @ booakley@yahoo.com
Reply
Old Jan 11, 2012 | 08:36 PM
  #68  
04mbc230's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: Cali
2006 C230 Sedan
Look at post number 65 for the link to make a purchase.

[QUOTE=booakley@yahoo.;5001011]I would like to purchase an LCD for my W203, If you have any left.
E-mail me @ booakley@yahoo.com[/k]
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2012 | 03:19 PM
  #69  
Ribo89's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: USA
a Tank
I just did my LCD. I got a used cluster and just swapped the LCD's. Worked like a charm!!
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2012 | 03:45 PM
  #70  
Boom vang's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 11
From: Toronto, Canada
2019 C300 Wagon; '75 Triumph TR6; previous: 2004 C230 6spd sold after 17 years of driving
Originally Posted by Ribo89
I just did my LCD. I got a used cluster and just swapped the LCD's. Worked like a charm!!
was it much cheaper to get a used cluster than buy the stand alone part? The problem that I see with a used part is that it will pose the same problem as the one you are replacing as this lcd unit was not of good quality at the get go
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2012 | 03:57 PM
  #71  
Ribo89's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: USA
a Tank
BOOM you make a valid point. I was thinking of the same when I was deciding to go for the swap. BUT, I got the cluster for free, so I had nothing to lose and so far so GOOD.

Also, i believe these LCD's have a much higher failure rate if the car is kept in a very hot environment or has high mileage. That said, I think if you know where the cluster came from then it pays off to buy a used one over the brand new LCD. Who is even selling these? Last time I read the new LCD's had polarization issued or something....
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2012 | 04:06 PM
  #72  
Boom vang's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 11
From: Toronto, Canada
2019 C300 Wagon; '75 Triumph TR6; previous: 2004 C230 6spd sold after 17 years of driving
Originally Posted by Ribo89

Also, i believe these LCD's have a much higher failure rate if the car is kept in a very hot environment or has high mileage. .


However...I have an issue with my LCD and the car (2004) has only 108K km and I live in a 'winter country' where we only have about 2 months of hot weather in a year. So I am an not sure of your theory, but if you get one for free, well that changes the whole situation. I noticed that you live in Chicago, not exactly in the tropics either so you have a similar climate as TO and both ours have failed!
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2012 | 04:11 PM
  #73  
Ribo89's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: USA
a Tank
My understanding is that the LCD's fade over time because of heat and/or use. My was an 01 with 25K miles( YES very low miles), but it came from Florida...
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2012 | 09:39 PM
  #74  
FraKctured's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
W203-4M W163
Great thread--thanks! Got it bookmarked for when mine starts to fade...
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:00 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE