CLKCLK

I need to replace couple light bulbs on my C32 instrument cluster. Does anyone know how to take it out?

Thanks,

Eleventeen

You are supposed to use special tools, but I took two 8" pieces of coat hanger and bent the last 1/4" or so outward about 90* like an "L". On the other end I bent a loop to hold onto. I think you have to insert the "L" end into the little slots on either side of the cluster with the tips facing inward at each other, then rotate them away from each other about half a turn and pull. This action should release the clips, while the "L" hooks on to pull the cluster out. Once you have it removed you will see why this trick works. You might have to be patient with it though.

B.T.W. I don't remember ever seeing light bulbs in the cluster. I think it's all LED's. Is your screen fading at the top and bottom like mine is? I think I have a power supply issue in that portion of the cluster; it works fine until the inside of the car gets hot.

CLKCLK

Thanks a lot Eleventeen!

Saprissa

Here are the MB tools:



Part # W 140 589 02 33 00

Once you have released the instrument cluster to pull it out there are 3 lift-tabs on the top, and 2 on the bottom.

this has been happening to a lot of non-AMG W203's lately.
They're all getting it fixed under warranty or some TSB, because the dealerships are aware of this heat-soak fading on the multi-function display (MFD) of the instrument cluster.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

Vomit

Does anyone know if there actually is a TSB for the Multifunction Display heatsoak fading issue? I have the same problem. . . my display is almost unreadable in the bright light when it is warm in the car. Car is out of warranty. I have not even checked the price of the MFD, but I am sure that it is not cheap.

Saprissa

TSB, I'm not sure.... check with the C230K W203 folks.
It's happening mostly to them for some reason.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
_______________
1959 220S Ponton
1979 230G Geländewagen
2002 A210 Evo AMG
2003 C320 Sports Coupe
2004.5 C320 Sports Sedan
2005 ML350 Special Edition
2008 smart passion ForTwo Coupe

Coming soon:
mega Mercedes-Benz SoCal Meet - 15 Nov 2008
details to be posted in coming weeks !

Eleventeen

Damn, I've never actually seen the real tool. I just bent some crap up and it worked. Mine looked similar to this, but without the fancy plastic handle.

My car is an '02, so I don't know if I am still covered under any TSB's since I'm not under warranty, but I'm not sure how that works. I did ask the parts guy for the price of a new cluster; it was over $900, plus the price of "marrying" it to the ECU (milage and VIN must be sync'd and would probably be a minimum one hour labor). I don't believe this is possible to do with a used cluster.

Saprissa

I'm sure your's worked just as well. I'm just a purist, so I like to work with the authentic MB tools.

From what I'm hearing dealerships will not honor work called for in a TSB if your car is out of Warranty. They will still use the TSB to identify and fix the problem listed, but they'll charge you as if it were a normal repair.
It's BS I know. Because if a TSB is issued, then they know it's a manufacturing or design defect, and they should own up to it, warranty or not.
But technically, I'm sure they've got the fine print to cover their @ss in the
warranty contract.

$900 for a new cluster
It was close to $800 when I was inquiring about an AMG C32 cluster 4 years ago.
Yes, for a new cluster they need to "marry" it to the ECU, VIN, and mileage.
It all goes back to MBUSA and to the original car's data card.

I have heard however, that there are independent SPEEDOMETER shops out there that can do this (the mileage part anyway) with used clusters. They do all the correct paper-work and you might have to have a third-party or DMV verify everything.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

xMaximus

i see it happening to all c-class models. my C240 and my brother C320 is hardly readable during the summer time.

xMaximus

my cluster is getting too dusty on the inside. would taking out the cluster help me in any way? when sunlight shines onto the window cluster i can barely see the lcd, odo, fuel meter...etc.

///AMG4EVER

XMaximus - yes you can clean it. Take the assembly out with the MB tools or the ghetto hangers; then you can split the screen from the back of the IC and you will have access to everything. Unplug the battery before you start and don't touch the needles otherwise you will lose calibration.

ohlord

delivered in the states for the cluster tools the radio and climate control keys boxed set.

pm

BigBodyBenzC240

For the fading/malfunctioning display you will need to replace the LCD. It is a common problem with the pre 2004 models if I remember the year correctly. I have been inquiring with a site which you send them your malfunctioning LCD and they send you an updated LCD so the heat problem doesnt occur anymore. The site is www.BBA-REMAN.com
Best bet though for anyone still under warranty to just get it replaced by the dealer.

simppa80

How I can remove W203 facelift model instrument cluster?

Chris Fallas

carlos..pura vida..