C240 Instrument Cluster replacement questions
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2009 ML 550
C240 Instrument Cluster replacement questions
My fiancee is in a 2002 C240, and the instrument cluster recently failed. TL;DR at the bottom.
Of course, given her initial description, I suspected that it was actually something else... But after exhaustive testing, it really does appear that the only things that don't work are:
- instrument cluster
- steering wheel controls
- turn signal clicker feedback
As I understand it, this is exactly what I should expect from a failed cluster.
Looking to see what my options are. As I understand it, I can either:
1) Do nothing and she can drive with no functional cluster
2) Take it to Mercedes dealer and replace for ~$2000 (which is roughly 2x the value of the car)
3) Try to replace with another cluster off of eBay and possibly have to get it programmed by MB.
I spoke with a repair guy at my local MB dealer, who wasn't terribly helpful on the implications of using a third-party cluster. He basically said he doesn't think it would work at all. I've read on this forum that it might work fine except the mileage... I've also seen conflicting reports on what would happen if I put a new/0-mileage vs. a used cluster into the car.
TL;DR: can I put any old used instrument cluster replacement into this car, and will a replacement cluster work at all without programming by Mercedes?
Gracias.
Of course, given her initial description, I suspected that it was actually something else... But after exhaustive testing, it really does appear that the only things that don't work are:
- instrument cluster
- steering wheel controls
- turn signal clicker feedback
As I understand it, this is exactly what I should expect from a failed cluster.
Looking to see what my options are. As I understand it, I can either:
1) Do nothing and she can drive with no functional cluster
2) Take it to Mercedes dealer and replace for ~$2000 (which is roughly 2x the value of the car)
3) Try to replace with another cluster off of eBay and possibly have to get it programmed by MB.
I spoke with a repair guy at my local MB dealer, who wasn't terribly helpful on the implications of using a third-party cluster. He basically said he doesn't think it would work at all. I've read on this forum that it might work fine except the mileage... I've also seen conflicting reports on what would happen if I put a new/0-mileage vs. a used cluster into the car.
TL;DR: can I put any old used instrument cluster replacement into this car, and will a replacement cluster work at all without programming by Mercedes?
Gracias.
