JaimePortero

I sent private messages to some of you guys so I decided bringing this thread back from the dead as I ordered a W203 display from Ebay and it was way too bright! The problem is that the original one I had felt and broke when I was replacing it for the new one, so now I only have the ultra-bright display.

I will contact the guy that sent me the display to see if he can send me a new one to replace this one... I can only see when it changes to red due to something wrong in the car, but not even the timer

I'll let you guys know how it sorted out so you can order this part to him if he delivers.

Any recommendation on how to ask him to replace the display??

cheers!

drb930

I still need 1, any more group buys in the future?

sdlopez83

Just got out of school this week. Starting new job next week. Can you put me down andhold off till next week?

tkong

bump for a group buy

SeaCoupe

I got one I never even installed. I'll take what I paid plus approx $6 in shipping in the US.

Ed

neeyul

You've got a PM.

SeaCoupe

Sold to Eau Rouge!

Ed

MrMarcos

I know I'm reviving some old crap here but the car I'm looking at seems to have this issue. I did a quick ebay search and found one of these for $125. Sooo obviously $60 is a bit more attractive. Were these ordered, are there any available or from another source someone has a line on?

THanks

Marcos

CDN W1zrd

Is there a cool version of a screen aftermarket? Like Colourful or at least blue LED lights? )) 03 C32 AMG :P wondering if I should get a new one also there is nothing wrong with my screen atm

samchung5150

Can I ask how the screen is holding up?
Is this the place you got it from? Was it $96 US or $126 US
http://www.diyspareparts.net/index.html

petercrase

How did this work out? I have the same issue in my '02 C230 kompressor hatchback/coupe. Any suggestions to fix would be appreciated. Sorry I missed this one.

Poppy1

I was just looking this up again Peter. I need to replace mine also. We can order them from Minitool's website (www.mte.net) for something like 80 Euros ($107USD). And then the shipping is probably about $15USD.


If you order 3-9 you can save like 20 Euros per display. I would be interested in maybe doing a group buy again on these and may be willing to facilitate the distribution of them.


They are about $130 shipped on ebay and not sure if they are Chinese made or not. Still checking on those.


Some of the folks here got some from china and they didn't even work outta the box.

petercrase

Thanks Poppy 1! Do you know if these are a quality piece, and secondly, have you found a link to a DIY? There are many, many threads related to fading displays on the forum and I haven't had time to read them all. I didn't see any posts on this thread related to the reliability/quality/length of service of these minitool sourced pieces.

Poppy1

I just read through the entire thread here. Looks like there was about a 10-20% fail rate on what showed up. And since they come from Italy it was a real PITB to ship them back and all that mess. I have a feeling that Minitools doesn't even make these and they are Chinese parts.


There is a DIY in this thread...don't remember which post...from the first person to ever do this and he is the actual guy that found the part at Minitool. Search for posts by 04mbc230 for the install DIY

VVF

Come on, petercrase... you don't even have to search for this particular DIY.
It's within the first page of the W203 forum topics.
Called DIY: Instrument Gauge Cluster Removal; Screen Replacement
(not gonna give you a link, browse the topics )

petercrase

Thanks, still learning!
I'm looking into some options for my fading screen. One fix in my area is to repair the board by adding more material to the connections. Apparently heat causes the connection to expand, losing connectivity and leading to fading screen. There are some shops I haven't found yet to do the repair.

petercrase

Update; I spoke with Yuri at his one man shop in Illinois (Best Pixel Repair 35 N Inverness Ct. Round Lake Illinois 60073) (800-749-5349). Per Yuri: He sells replacement screens sourced from China for $99, no additional charge for shipping. He offers a 1 year warranty and will give a 10% discount for 3 or more purchased. He's been in business since 2006, has been selling these screens for some years, and has had no returns. Yuri says the screen is not the problem, it's the ribbon cable, and the cable is not repairable as it's attached to the screen and not removable/replaceable. Yuri is not aware of where the failure is occurring within the ribbon cable. Therefore the entire screen/ribbon cable assembly must be purchased to make this repair.
http://www.bestpixelrepair.com/merce...el-repair.html
When I have funds set aside, I think this is the way I'll go.
Peter

Poppy1

I got an email back from Minitools. I asked if the actual made these screens or if they were nothing more than a retailer. She advised that they actually produce them. Still a bit pricey. Good link on your find.

petercrase

This looks like an easier DIY.
Use a straight piece of hanger, not bent. Make mark with sharpie 2.5" up from end. Push in straight hanger wire 2.5" to mark until you feel resistance. Pull out on cluster, one side at a time.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtube_gdata_player&v=EjEFdu2mq0c

Taiwanese

I am starting to drive my C230 again. Anyone has a spare that want to sell?

mtnman82

FWIW, I got in on this group buy. Install isn't too bad. However, the display only lasted about a year before the same fading appeared. If anyone can find a display that doesn't fade, I'd be all over a new one...

Taiwanese

I just bought one off eBay and shipping from UK. I will report back here.

mtnman82

Thanks Taiwanese. Would you share the EBay link?

I live in the desert, it was 119 yesterday. The whole display was fading out, not just the edges. Kind of a bummer...

Taiwanese

Link
http://www.ebay.com/itm/272439060386

Later got an email from seller to buy directly in the future
http://www.fiesta-tech.co.uk/

I haven't receive it yet.

Taiwanese

LCD arrived quickly.

I follow this how to
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...placement.html

The hardest part for me was releasing the whole cluster. Rest of the steps were simple.

It's nice and clear. Wish I have done it years ago.

I have a video of how the cluster release works if anyone wants to see it.

I don't there is an easy way to upload the video here.