LCD Replacement - European Maker / Supplier
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: centennial, CO
2003 c240
The orange screen is an LCD. With voltage applied selectively it goes black & just allows light through the open pixels which will always be orange. Backlight intensity will effect how bright the orange is & LCD voltage will effect how black the black is. If the backlight is too bright it will cause light leak through the black. Achieving pitch black has always been an issue with LCDs - Which is why top active matrix LCD TVs like the Sony XBR8 use dynamic local dimming LEDs behind the LCD panel to achieve high contrast & decent blacks.
Also, finding a bi-color smd in white/red or blue/red is very hard to do so my efforts were wasted. I could change all the numbers to light up white, since those are single colored smd's, but I am to scared to mess with the needles calibration.
edit: the led's i also used for the lcd were way to bright and just completely leaked light through the lcd.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
the screen itself is actually blue. The problem with putting white light through the lcd is that the color comes out blue. I have already taken it apart and changed the led's behind it and they are bi-color smd with orange as the primary and red as the secondary(for the warnings). I could actually be able to change it to any other color but white since the lcd itself isn't clear.
Also, finding a bi-color smd in white/red or blue/red is very hard to do so my efforts were wasted. I could change all the numbers to light up white, since those are single colored smd's, but I am to scared to mess with the needles calibration.
edit: the led's i also used for the lcd were way to bright and just completely leaked light through the lcd.
Also, finding a bi-color smd in white/red or blue/red is very hard to do so my efforts were wasted. I could change all the numbers to light up white, since those are single colored smd's, but I am to scared to mess with the needles calibration.
edit: the led's i also used for the lcd were way to bright and just completely leaked light through the lcd.
Edit: So in it's unexcited state the OE display is blue? Dark blue?
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Aug 16, 2010 at 08:18 AM.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 812
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From: centennial, CO
2003 c240
Thanks - As I said I've never pulled one apart. Right - so it achieves it's colour by the correct spectrum of colours for orange. For a low definition display it's quite sophisticated. Bi colour LED backlit! Wow. Only the German's - I don't know why they did not go the whole way with RGB backlight.
Edit: So in it's unexcited state the OE display is blue? Dark blue?
Edit: So in it's unexcited state the OE display is blue? Dark blue?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 605
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From: Cali
2006 C230 Sedan
Alright guys. I think my investigations will end with the following picture.
It has hit about 90 degrees today and my ongoing investigation that results in driving over 3 weeks has already completed. I am going to end this 1 week earlier, since I don't see any reason why I should continue with this. If my other 10 testee has something to update, then it's up to them. It has also racked up over 1000 miles and has been in the cold and heat. As of current, I don't notice a bump or hickup on this lcd screen that is installed.
I will consider this as a success on my part(installation). For those who are intersted in getting the supplier info. Please PM me or the other testees.
Don't ask why the dial is at 72mph. Hint.. i was driving.
It has hit about 90 degrees today and my ongoing investigation that results in driving over 3 weeks has already completed. I am going to end this 1 week earlier, since I don't see any reason why I should continue with this. If my other 10 testee has something to update, then it's up to them. It has also racked up over 1000 miles and has been in the cold and heat. As of current, I don't notice a bump or hickup on this lcd screen that is installed.
I will consider this as a success on my part(installation). For those who are intersted in getting the supplier info. Please PM me or the other testees.
Don't ask why the dial is at 72mph. Hint.. i was driving.
Last edited by 04mbc230; Aug 23, 2010 at 12:22 PM.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
fookoo - Only saw it happen for the first time this weekend - now I understand the bi colour LED backlight - Did not close the trunk lid properly & the whole display lit up in Red.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Here's a pic of mine. Heat doesn't affect it. So far my feeling is it's fine and I won't have the contrast biased. I'm still waiting to drive it at night for an extended period before I make up my mind.
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From: Cali
2006 C230 Sedan
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Cali
2006 C230 Sedan
I think a few posts up, I had reported this issue.
I don't think this is an easy fix. You might have to do some soldering on the thin plastic cluster panel to install new LEDs. It looks complicated and not fool proof. I wouldn't touch it if you have no expereince in soldering.
Last edited by 04mbc230; Sep 13, 2010 at 03:52 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: Cali
2006 C230 Sedan
Easy for you to say, since you are an electrical engineer student.
As for us noobs, I will say shy away from it. Since this is a sensative piece of equipment you don't want to fry. I mean try.
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Cali
2006 C230 Sedan
I had just PM you. All the info is there and I had just check the link and it should bring you to the product page. From there you have to select the product. If you read the message, it will tell you which one.
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 20
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From: Memphis
2016 GLC300 4MATIC
Thank you 04bmc230
Part was received 3 days after I ordered it, and was able to replace in under 30 minutes thanks to https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...placement.html. Didn't bother with a bent wire; just inserted a stiff wire 2.5" into slot, heard click and pulled each end of cluster free of clip. Display looks and works just like the old LCD, but when Memphis summer arrives I expect I will now be able to see display (old LCD was totally unreadible in hot weather).
