Fading Display MFD?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
2002 C32 Black/Charcoal
Fading Display MFD?
"Wingless" had posted a while back on the C-class forum about the problem with the multifunction display fading in and out on the W203. He said something about a zebra stripe needing to be cleaned. I sent him a PM asking for more info. Here was his response:
"A zebra stripe pad is a box-shaped rubber block. It has alternating insulating and conductive segments. Those are on a fine pitch.
The zebra stripe is compressed between the circuit board pads and the LCD pads. Those have a coarse pitch.
The result is the zebra stripe creates multiple electrical connections between the LCD and the PCB.
The problem is crud and oxidation. Those screw-up the connections.
The solution is to disassemble, clean and reassemble. Both the LCD and PCB are rectangular panels, with the zebra stripe compressed between.
Good luck."
Thought this might be helpful for those of us DIYers who are out of warranty and who have the "fading MFD" curse (especially when hot).
Thanks for the info, Wingless.
"A zebra stripe pad is a box-shaped rubber block. It has alternating insulating and conductive segments. Those are on a fine pitch.
The zebra stripe is compressed between the circuit board pads and the LCD pads. Those have a coarse pitch.
The result is the zebra stripe creates multiple electrical connections between the LCD and the PCB.
The problem is crud and oxidation. Those screw-up the connections.
The solution is to disassemble, clean and reassemble. Both the LCD and PCB are rectangular panels, with the zebra stripe compressed between.
Good luck."
Thought this might be helpful for those of us DIYers who are out of warranty and who have the "fading MFD" curse (especially when hot).
Thanks for the info, Wingless.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,949
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia, PA
2008 A8L, 2002 996TT X50, 2009 X5
"Wingless" had posted a while back on the C-class forum about the problem with the multifunction display fading in and out on the W203. He said something about a zebra stripe needing to be cleaned. I sent him a PM asking for more info. Here was his response:
"A zebra stripe pad is a box-shaped rubber block. It has alternating insulating and conductive segments. Those are on a fine pitch.
The zebra stripe is compressed between the circuit board pads and the LCD pads. Those have a coarse pitch.
The result is the zebra stripe creates multiple electrical connections between the LCD and the PCB.
The problem is crud and oxidation. Those screw-up the connections.
The solution is to disassemble, clean and reassemble. Both the LCD and PCB are rectangular panels, with the zebra stripe compressed between.
Good luck."
Thought this might be helpful for those of us DIYers who are out of warranty and who have the "fading MFD" curse (especially when hot).
Thanks for the info, Wingless.
"A zebra stripe pad is a box-shaped rubber block. It has alternating insulating and conductive segments. Those are on a fine pitch.
The zebra stripe is compressed between the circuit board pads and the LCD pads. Those have a coarse pitch.
The result is the zebra stripe creates multiple electrical connections between the LCD and the PCB.
The problem is crud and oxidation. Those screw-up the connections.
The solution is to disassemble, clean and reassemble. Both the LCD and PCB are rectangular panels, with the zebra stripe compressed between.
Good luck."
Thought this might be helpful for those of us DIYers who are out of warranty and who have the "fading MFD" curse (especially when hot).
Thanks for the info, Wingless.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 20
From: East Bay, Bay Area
2002 C32, 2012 S550
Class Action
And then there's this too:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/299250-w203-multi-function-display-fading-class-action-suit.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/299250-w203-multi-function-display-fading-class-action-suit.html
Super Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 636
Likes: 0
From: Oakland, California
07 E550, 02 C32, 91 300E
I know that they fade when the car sits in the sun for awhile, then come back when the car cools down. Probably heat = increased resistance etc.
But mine never becomes illegible. Do you guys get to that point?
But mine never becomes illegible. Do you guys get to that point?
