Dont know how to take out my gauge cluster
11-18-2004, 07:47 PM
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Dont know how to take out my gauge cluster
I am trying to install a new Gauge Bezel, I tried to use the coat hanger to pull it out, but I couldnt do it. is there a special way to do this?
11-18-2004, 07:51 PM
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1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
the easiest way to remove the instrument cluster is:
search the forum....
search the forum....
11-18-2004, 09:08 PM
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Debadged 6-Speed '05 C320 Sports Coupe
Originally Posted by Saprissa
the easiest way to remove the instrument cluster is:
search the forum....
search the forum....
11-18-2004, 09:59 PM
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Originally Posted by wingless
My efforts at this were unsuccessful. What search words did you use to get the requested results?
ya i tried before I posted. but I cant find it ether
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11-21-2004, 10:32 AM
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Debadged 6-Speed '05 C320 Sports Coupe
Originally Posted by Saprissa
the easiest way to remove the instrument cluster is:
search the forum....
search the forum....
Originally Posted by wingless
My efforts at this were unsuccessful. What search words did you use to get the requested results?
Originally Posted by supershyguy
ya i tried before I posted. but I cant find it ether
11-21-2004, 02:50 PM
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Cluster
I believe the tool your looking for, (actually you need two of them in most cases ) is a T shaped tool that has a hook at the end. Another words you have a t handle and then a rod that 's about 8 inches long and on the end is a curve somewhat like a hook shape. You take one on each side and you work the cluster out of the dash.
11-21-2004, 05:04 PM
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300E
11-22-2004, 03:02 AM
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2002 C230 Kompressor coupe, white
Originally Posted by S_kLaSse
you are mistaken, those are not the right tools for removing the instrument cluster, i was trying to find a pic of the right ones, but did not succeed...
As for the coat hanger, it works: cut a wire hanger into two 4in (approx) pieces (straight line), then use that to push it into the hole (one on each side) to release the cluster, pull it out slowly, but make sure the steering wheel is turned in a way so that the cluster can be taken out. I hope this helps, i havent done it myself, but watched my friend do it for me a few times
11-22-2004, 01:59 PM
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E320
Originally Posted by kompressorchick
you are mistaken, those are not the right tools for removing the instrument cluster, i was trying to find a pic of the right ones, but did not succeed...
As for the coat hanger, it works: cut a wire hanger into two 4in (approx) pieces (straight line), then use that to push it into the hole (one on each side) to release the cluster, pull it out slowly, but make sure the steering wheel is turned in a way so that the cluster can be taken out. I hope this helps, i havent done it myself, but watched my friend do it for me a few times
As for the coat hanger, it works: cut a wire hanger into two 4in (approx) pieces (straight line), then use that to push it into the hole (one on each side) to release the cluster, pull it out slowly, but make sure the steering wheel is turned in a way so that the cluster can be taken out. I hope this helps, i havent done it myself, but watched my friend do it for me a few times
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...sPageName=WDVW
11-22-2004, 02:11 PM
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1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
Instrument Cluster removal instructions....
Geez people... OK OK, instructions posted below...
how did my lame @$$ figure out how to remove the Instrument Cluster ?
I had no clue, but searching in this forum months ago, i did find something. What "key words" did I use ? beats me... but I found it after searching & searching.... (all forums, not just W203) Believe me, it's in here somewhere... Otherwise, I'd be asking the same question over & over again !!
as to the right MB tools to use, here's the pic, I've posted quite a few times already with Part # W 140 589 02 33 00
Availabe from any MB Dealer for $12-$15.
for the STFF impaired:
Carlos
Saprissa@aol.com
how did my lame @$$ figure out how to remove the Instrument Cluster ?
I had no clue, but searching in this forum months ago, i did find something. What "key words" did I use ? beats me... but I found it after searching & searching.... (all forums, not just W203) Believe me, it's in here somewhere... Otherwise, I'd be asking the same question over & over again !!
as to the right MB tools to use, here's the pic, I've posted quite a few times already with Part # W 140 589 02 33 00
Availabe from any MB Dealer for $12-$15.
for the STFF impaired:
Originally Posted by Saprissa
1) lower and level steering wheel as far down as it goes
2) stick each one of these special tools (or wire coat hanger, with small bends at the end), into each hole on the side of the instrument cluster.
3) make sure the small bends are pointing either inward or outward ( I can't remember which way), as you push them in. You will hear a slight click when they reach the end.
4) Pull out gently as it grabs the instrument cluster (IC) and continue to pull it out. (another person helping you pull out the IC will help).
5) Be careful with the trip mileage / interior light dimmer button on the far left, as it is very long, and can be broken or bent if you pull the IC too fast or too far to either side.
6) The instrument cluster has a wire harness plugged in behind it, so once you get it out far enough you will see it. If you have to unplug this harness for whatever reason it is you are removing the IC, then make sure the engine is off, and key is removed from the ignition. Otherwise, you might get some errors when you plug everything back in. For a simple gauge bezel change-out, you do not need to unplug the wire harness, unless you want to have more room to work with the instrument cluster on a work bench or table.
7) Mercedes-Benz has a holographic or serial #'d sticker on the top of the IC, which if removed will tear, and therefore void any warranty on the IC due to tampering. To remove this seal without tearing it, you will need to either use a heat dryer, and peel back slowly, or some other method of removing stickers without damage. If you do tear it, too bad !!
8) The IC has 4 or 6 tabs behind it that have to snap off (not too hard or you might break them) to pull the front plastic IC face from the electronic part of the IC.
9) Once you separate the 2 pieces, you will have access to the instrument face, with the gauge bezel in the middle. Be very careful with the orange indicator arrows (rpm, mph, gas). They are very fragile and could bend easily.
10) The gauge bezel has two small tabs at the bottom that need to pop off. Again, be careful, because too much force, and they will snap the tabs that hold it in place.
11) Pull up slowly on the gauge bezel, and it should slide up nice & easy. Replace with whatever new bezel you are putting in, and snap in place.
12) Put 2 main pieces of IC back together, making sure all tabs snap back into place, and then replace (reapply slight adhesive) to MB seal. Re-insert wire harness if you removed it.
13) Push IC back into place, carefully making sure that the trip mileage / interior light dimmer button is in place, and not bending. The MB tools are not needed to push the IC back in place.
14) You're done. Drink beer !
2) stick each one of these special tools (or wire coat hanger, with small bends at the end), into each hole on the side of the instrument cluster.
3) make sure the small bends are pointing either inward or outward ( I can't remember which way), as you push them in. You will hear a slight click when they reach the end.
4) Pull out gently as it grabs the instrument cluster (IC) and continue to pull it out. (another person helping you pull out the IC will help).
5) Be careful with the trip mileage / interior light dimmer button on the far left, as it is very long, and can be broken or bent if you pull the IC too fast or too far to either side.
6) The instrument cluster has a wire harness plugged in behind it, so once you get it out far enough you will see it. If you have to unplug this harness for whatever reason it is you are removing the IC, then make sure the engine is off, and key is removed from the ignition. Otherwise, you might get some errors when you plug everything back in. For a simple gauge bezel change-out, you do not need to unplug the wire harness, unless you want to have more room to work with the instrument cluster on a work bench or table.
7) Mercedes-Benz has a holographic or serial #'d sticker on the top of the IC, which if removed will tear, and therefore void any warranty on the IC due to tampering. To remove this seal without tearing it, you will need to either use a heat dryer, and peel back slowly, or some other method of removing stickers without damage. If you do tear it, too bad !!
8) The IC has 4 or 6 tabs behind it that have to snap off (not too hard or you might break them) to pull the front plastic IC face from the electronic part of the IC.
9) Once you separate the 2 pieces, you will have access to the instrument face, with the gauge bezel in the middle. Be very careful with the orange indicator arrows (rpm, mph, gas). They are very fragile and could bend easily.
10) The gauge bezel has two small tabs at the bottom that need to pop off. Again, be careful, because too much force, and they will snap the tabs that hold it in place.
11) Pull up slowly on the gauge bezel, and it should slide up nice & easy. Replace with whatever new bezel you are putting in, and snap in place.
12) Put 2 main pieces of IC back together, making sure all tabs snap back into place, and then replace (reapply slight adhesive) to MB seal. Re-insert wire harness if you removed it.
13) Push IC back into place, carefully making sure that the trip mileage / interior light dimmer button is in place, and not bending. The MB tools are not needed to push the IC back in place.
14) You're done. Drink beer !
Saprissa@aol.com
Last edited by Saprissa; 11-22-2004 at 02:14 PM.
11-24-2004, 02:33 PM
#17
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1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
no worries,
I'll see you Saturday at Mark's ! Bringing alum door pins & 2 more CD's.
Also, how much $$$ to bring for the CLK Switch Row for the C320 Sedan ???
Don't forget, we need to hit up Steve on the AMG door trim parts !!!
I might have to bring up my wife's C320 Sedan, because my Coupé is having some suspension work done. Will try & see if Steve has any goodies for her, like W211 Side-mirror blinkers. Also install her power folding mirrors & '05 fog lights.
Speaking of my Coupé...
I need to order the full CLK Switch Row with IMS button from Sunil.
Carlos
Saprissa@aol.com
I'll see you Saturday at Mark's ! Bringing alum door pins & 2 more CD's.
Also, how much $$$ to bring for the CLK Switch Row for the C320 Sedan ???
Don't forget, we need to hit up Steve on the AMG door trim parts !!!
I might have to bring up my wife's C320 Sedan, because my Coupé is having some suspension work done. Will try & see if Steve has any goodies for her, like W211 Side-mirror blinkers. Also install her power folding mirrors & '05 fog lights.
Speaking of my Coupé...
I need to order the full CLK Switch Row with IMS button from Sunil.
Carlos
Saprissa@aol.com
03-25-2007, 01:12 PM
#18
MBWorld Fanatic!
Got the cluster out...
But no one talks about how to remove the connector!
It's not budging easily, and I can quite see what it is I have to do to get to
come loose.
It's not something I want to break!
Here's a pic.
Yes, I STFF'd to death. No mention of anyone having trouble with the connector.
The coat hangers worked fine on the 1st try.
Help please!!!!!
It's not budging easily, and I can quite see what it is I have to do to get to
come loose.
It's not something I want to break!
Here's a pic.
Yes, I STFF'd to death. No mention of anyone having trouble with the connector.
The coat hangers worked fine on the 1st try.
Help please!!!!!
03-25-2007, 01:15 PM
#19
MBWorld Fanatic!
But no one talks about how to remove the connector!
It's not budging easily, and I can quite see what it is I have to do to get to
come loose.
It's not something I want to break!
Here's a pic.
Yes, I STFF'd to death. No mention of anyone having trouble with the connector.
The coat hangers worked fine on the 1st try.
Help please!!!!!
It's not budging easily, and I can quite see what it is I have to do to get to
come loose.
It's not something I want to break!
Here's a pic.
Yes, I STFF'd to death. No mention of anyone having trouble with the connector.
The coat hangers worked fine on the 1st try.
Help please!!!!!
03-25-2007, 01:28 PM
#20
MBWorld Fanatic!
I see a gray piece, and then the clippy looking thing you can see in the pic.
Which is which?
Once I've identified the guide, which way does it slide?
Thanks....I'm usually good at these things!
Never mind I GOT IT!
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; 03-25-2007 at 01:37 PM.
03-25-2007, 01:41 PM
#21
MBWorld Fanatic!
surprised no one else had this issue.
So, here's a pic with arrows for dummies.
Like me.
03-25-2007, 02:41 PM
#22
MBWorld Fanatic!
Well here's the finished product.
I ended up cutting the bottom off the ring...with a kitchen knife, since I didn't have a hacksaw or anything nice.
I'd already mangled it a bit, so I may pull it out again and
futz with it a bit more.
I spilled alcohol on the AMG sticker, and when I tried to apply it,
the vinyl part came away from the adhesive. Damn, but then I noticed, it actually looked cooler than the black, like it's etched.
Less in your face, so I left it.
I ended up cutting the bottom off the ring...with a kitchen knife, since I didn't have a hacksaw or anything nice.
I'd already mangled it a bit, so I may pull it out again and
futz with it a bit more.
I spilled alcohol on the AMG sticker, and when I tried to apply it,
the vinyl part came away from the adhesive. Damn, but then I noticed, it actually looked cooler than the black, like it's etched.
Less in your face, so I left it.
03-25-2007, 03:47 PM
#23
MBWorld Fanatic!
Well here's the finished product.
I ended up cutting the bottom off the ring...with a kitchen knife, since I didn't have a hacksaw or anything nice.
I'd already mangled it a bit, so I may pull it out again and
futz with it a bit more.
I spilled alcohol on the AMG sticker, and when I tried to apply it,
the vinyl part came away from the adhesive. Damn, but then I noticed, it actually looked cooler than the black, like it's etched.
Less in your face, so I left it.
I ended up cutting the bottom off the ring...with a kitchen knife, since I didn't have a hacksaw or anything nice.
I'd already mangled it a bit, so I may pull it out again and
futz with it a bit more.
I spilled alcohol on the AMG sticker, and when I tried to apply it,
the vinyl part came away from the adhesive. Damn, but then I noticed, it actually looked cooler than the black, like it's etched.
Less in your face, so I left it.
03-25-2007, 04:07 PM
#24
Super Moderator Alumni
So, are you saying we are looking at glue shaped like letters?
03-25-2007, 05:11 PM
#25
MBWorld Fanatic!
