Update on instrument cluster LCD display screen replacement
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
2002 C32 Black/Charcoal
Update on instrument cluster LCD display screen replacement
Anyways, my instrument cluster LCD screen display went FUBAR a couple of years ago. It was getting progressively worse, to the point that it was essentially invisible in hot weather. Not comforting, given that little things like "check engine oil" or "engine overheating" would only show up on this screen.
In any case, I finally found a replacement LCD screen which works. It has now been in my 2002 C32 for five months, in cold and hot weather, and not a single problem. The only diff from OEM that I can see is that the screen background color is slightly different. . . sort of a purplish black instead of pure black. I have also noticed that I cannot wear polarized sunglasses, or the screen almost disappears(?)
You can thank Kit ("04MBC230") on the W203 forum for finding these. Here is the info he sent me:
"Well here goes. I never had called them (long distance). I only communicate with them through email and since the are in the European Continent (Located in Italy). They do not replies email until you wake up the next morning (since their day begins when we are sleeping here in the Cali).
I paid about $144 USD + $4 of foreign exchange fee = $147 total for that day I purchase. Don't know about the rates today, could be more or less. Bottom line is. It will cost $110 EURO SHIPPED to your destination. Well I live in San Francisco, CA. The cost on that is 80 EURO (part) + 30 EURO shipping = 110 EURO.
Here's the website and company name. The company is called MINITOOLS and somehow is owned by SAVI Electronics. At least that is the header on the invoice they sent me.
Direct website for the product: http://audipixelrepair.com/lcd-displ...edes-w203-w209
Product Number : SEPDISP06
The rep I am working with is extreme nice. She should be able to put this order in for you. Her name is LISA ZOTTI
Here is her email address: lisa@minitools.it
Thought this might be valuable info to those of you who are tired of looking at a fading LCD screen in your instrument cluster, but who do not want to pay $1,500.00 to the dealer to completely replace the whole cluster.
BTW, the install is DIY and pretty easy. There are a few instructional threads here and on the W203 forum of how to do it.
In any case, I finally found a replacement LCD screen which works. It has now been in my 2002 C32 for five months, in cold and hot weather, and not a single problem. The only diff from OEM that I can see is that the screen background color is slightly different. . . sort of a purplish black instead of pure black. I have also noticed that I cannot wear polarized sunglasses, or the screen almost disappears(?)
You can thank Kit ("04MBC230") on the W203 forum for finding these. Here is the info he sent me:
"Well here goes. I never had called them (long distance). I only communicate with them through email and since the are in the European Continent (Located in Italy). They do not replies email until you wake up the next morning (since their day begins when we are sleeping here in the Cali).
I paid about $144 USD + $4 of foreign exchange fee = $147 total for that day I purchase. Don't know about the rates today, could be more or less. Bottom line is. It will cost $110 EURO SHIPPED to your destination. Well I live in San Francisco, CA. The cost on that is 80 EURO (part) + 30 EURO shipping = 110 EURO.
Here's the website and company name. The company is called MINITOOLS and somehow is owned by SAVI Electronics. At least that is the header on the invoice they sent me.
Direct website for the product: http://audipixelrepair.com/lcd-displ...edes-w203-w209
Product Number : SEPDISP06
The rep I am working with is extreme nice. She should be able to put this order in for you. Her name is LISA ZOTTI
Here is her email address: lisa@minitools.it
Thought this might be valuable info to those of you who are tired of looking at a fading LCD screen in your instrument cluster, but who do not want to pay $1,500.00 to the dealer to completely replace the whole cluster.
BTW, the install is DIY and pretty easy. There are a few instructional threads here and on the W203 forum of how to do it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 1
2005 Pontiac GTO 6.0 LS2 - Blue
Thanks for the information. A few months back someone tried to setup a group buy for these screens, and it didn't work out because half of them ordered were defective. Good to know where these are available at.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
2002 C32 Black/Charcoal
Yeah, I was one of the first purchasers in that errant group buy. Those screens were Chinese, and seemed to have some real quality control problems. About 1/2 of them were bad, including mine. I felt really bad for Rodney ("RLDDLR53"), as he coordinated the whole thing, and sort of got stuck in the middle with a bunch of unhappy end purchasers. However, he definitely handled it with finesse, and nobody got screwed that I am aware of.
The Italian screens seem to be of much better quality and are about the same money as the Chinese screens were. The ordering/delivery process of the Italian screens was also brainless. No complaints here.
The Italian screens seem to be of much better quality and are about the same money as the Chinese screens were. The ordering/delivery process of the Italian screens was also brainless. No complaints here.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
2002 C32 Black/Charcoal
Thanks for the kind words. The C32 ownership experience is very pleasurable if you can keep the car away from the dealer service bay.
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, AZ
C32, E93 M3
bump, thanks for the great info. Mine is starting to fade around the perimeter of the screen in moderately warm weather. San Diego hasn't been too bad yet; I can only imagine how bad the screen will look in 90* weather
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 20
From: East Bay, Bay Area
2002 C32, 2012 S550
Am pretty sure it looks exactly like new OEM when installed.
Here, check posts #43 and 44
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c55-amg-w203/353364-c32-w203-instrument-cluster-lcd-2.html
And here's the DIY for the install:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/268853-diy-instrument-gauge-cluster-removal-screen-replacement.html
Here, check posts #43 and 44
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c55-amg-w203/353364-c32-w203-instrument-cluster-lcd-2.html
And here's the DIY for the install:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/268853-diy-instrument-gauge-cluster-removal-screen-replacement.html
Last edited by Gramma_Benz; Jul 12, 2012 at 08:51 PM.
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 125
Likes: 2
From: Marlton
'02 325 xi; '02 C32; '90 ZX; '08 CBR 6RR, '86 V45 Magna
Am pretty sure it looks exactly like new OEM when installed.
Here, check posts #43 and 44
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c55-amg-w203/353364-c32-w203-instrument-cluster-lcd-2.html
And here's the DIY for the install:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/268853-diy-instrument-gauge-cluster-removal-screen-replacement.html
Here, check posts #43 and 44
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c55-amg-w203/353364-c32-w203-instrument-cluster-lcd-2.html
And here's the DIY for the install:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/268853-diy-instrument-gauge-cluster-removal-screen-replacement.html
In any event, does anyone have any info on how the replacement screens hold up? I'd hate to go through all the trouble just to have the thing die in 12 mos. Much appreciated.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,073
Likes: 27
From: North NJ
2002 C32 AMG, 2013 GLK 350/4, 2015 E63S AMG Wagon
Wow thanks. I searched but could not find the DIY. It looks fairly simple - but that's what I say before every DIY before I find it's easier said than done.
In any event, does anyone have any info on how the replacement screens hold up? I'd hate to go through all the trouble just to have the thing die in 12 mos. Much appreciated.
In any event, does anyone have any info on how the replacement screens hold up? I'd hate to go through all the trouble just to have the thing die in 12 mos. Much appreciated.
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 125
Likes: 2
From: Marlton
'02 325 xi; '02 C32; '90 ZX; '08 CBR 6RR, '86 V45 Magna
It's been over 12 months and the screen is holding up well. Just came back from 10 mile drive in 90* and the screen is fine. Just 2 things. You cant's see the screen if you wear polirized sun glasses. And for the DIY, get the MB hooks for this job. The hooks will make the job much quicker.
Check out this video of the removal on a w203. Straight hanger, looks quite interesting And simple.
Check out this video on YouTube:
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,073
Likes: 27
From: North NJ
2002 C32 AMG, 2013 GLK 350/4, 2015 E63S AMG Wagon
Check out this video of the removal on a w203. Straight hanger, looks quite interesting And simple.
Check out this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjEFd...e_gdata_player
Check out this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjEFd...e_gdata_player
Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
2003 C32, 2002 S55, 1999 SL500, 2004 S430
The package arrived from italy very fast. The price came out to around $130. The packageing was top notch. And the install is very easy. The screen looks great now, my old unit was pretty much completely out.
Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Beaverton, OR
2002 C32
I've used http://modulemaster.com/en/services/rebuild_info.php in the past for gauge clusters and ABS units. They are really affordable and do excellent work. I'd probably just mail my whole cluster over to them when the center display starts to die.
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 125
Likes: 2
From: Marlton
'02 325 xi; '02 C32; '90 ZX; '08 CBR 6RR, '86 V45 Magna
Well, it's been a few years since some of you guys installed the replacement LCD. I'm considering making the order, how have they held up over the years? My original screen looks terrible if its really hot or really cold. The fading started at the corners then the top and bottom and eventually will take the whole thing out. So do the replacements hold up?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 21
From: Orange County
a land yacht.
Well, it's been a few years since some of you guys installed the replacement LCD. I'm considering making the order, how have they held up over the years? My original screen looks terrible if its really hot or really cold. The fading started at the corners then the top and bottom and eventually will take the whole thing out. So do the replacements hold up?
