CL-Class (W215) 2000-2006: CL 500, CL 600

ISO opinion or solution on cluster issue.

Old Sep 19, 2023 | 04:39 PM
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2004 CL 500
ISO opinion or solution on cluster issue.

Hey all! Ive been searching for some assistance on my 04’ CL 500 cluster, with the photo attached you can see that the OEM LCD is damaged and unreadable. And occasionally the back lighting will flicker along with the LCD itself. Should i get a mew cluster entirely? Or is there a more practical fix?
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Old Sep 20, 2023 | 03:25 AM
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This looks terrible, I think that there are some posts on the LCD replacement of the cluster. Search around on the forums
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Old Jan 17, 2024 | 12:42 AM
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Originally Posted by GhostOf04
Hey all! Ive been searching for some assistance on my 04’ CL 500 cluster, with the photo attached you can see that the OEM LCD is damaged and unreadable. And occasionally the back lighting will flicker along with the LCD itself. Should i get a mew cluster entirely? Or is there a more practical fix?
that whole lcd pice actual comes out as a unit. The whole piece slides out when you disassemble the cluster. You could buy a used cluster on eBay and remove and swap the lcd. There are some videos of the clusters being taken apart on YouTube. Not that difficult to get the that piece. Make sure you buy a close model year part number as they did make minor revisions over the years.
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Old Jan 17, 2024 | 03:11 PM
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2004 CL 500
Thank you!

Thank you! Ive been waiting for a proper response for awhile now, people have been recommending a new cluster entirely or like your suggestion says. Ive been conflicted on which route to take.
while I'm here id like to ask if the computer remembers milage and will display it properly?
i did note as the season has changed the yellow part of the fuel gauge has went out. Cheers man!
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Old Jan 18, 2024 | 12:40 AM
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Originally Posted by GhostOf04
Thank you! Ive been waiting for a proper response for awhile now, people have been recommending a new cluster entirely or like your suggestion says. Ive been conflicted on which route to take.
while I'm here id like to ask if the computer remembers milage and will display it properly?
i did note as the season has changed the yellow part of the fuel gauge has went out. Cheers man!
The mileage is stored on the eprom on the circuit board of your cluster. If you swap it with a used cluster it will not show up correctly and cause issues from what I understand. There are a few vendors that repair the clusters so the mileage issue can be avoided. The lcd screen does not store the mileage though so you should be able to change that piece from another cluster. Like I said get a cluster with the same or very close part number. What year your car ?
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Old Jan 18, 2024 | 04:18 AM
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2004 CL 500
Im still very much new to the do it yourself scene so this is helpful and i have looked at someone who repairs clusters but they stated something along the likes of “we don’t repair the years with a single screen lcd” and i assumed that was my year as well.
Its a 2004 CL 500.
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Old Jan 18, 2024 | 09:47 AM
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Originally Posted by GhostOf04
Im still very much new to the do it yourself scene so this is helpful and i have looked at someone who repairs clusters but they stated something along the likes of “we don’t repair the years with a single screen lcd” and i assumed that was my year as well.
Its a 2004 CL 500.
you have 3 LCD displays. One for clock one for temp and the main in the center.
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Old Jan 18, 2024 | 10:11 AM
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Originally Posted by wrightbenz
you have 3 LCD displays. One for clock one for temp and the main in the center.
see how the center lcd assembly is round. Two screws and two connectors and it slides out.

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Old Jan 18, 2024 | 01:11 PM
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2004 CL 500
I see. I did some research while at work and they require a special tool to unlock the cluster from the dash, its very simple but he didn’t link the website he got the tools from. Do you know the name of it?
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Old Jan 19, 2024 | 12:58 PM
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Originally Posted by GhostOf04
I see. I did some research while at work and they require a special tool to unlock the cluster from the dash, its very simple but he didn’t link the website he got the tools from. Do you know the name of it?
they are just radio removal tools. Check Amazon for Mercedes radio removal
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Old Jan 26, 2024 | 03:03 PM
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2004 CL 500
S

Sorry for the late reply, i was waiting on the actual tools to arrive and they did today! I did manage to pull out the cluster but cannot find the access panel for the lcd screen specifically
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Old Jan 27, 2024 | 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by wrightbenz
they are just radio removal tools. Check Amazon for Mercedes radio removal
It’s not quite that easy. Watch the videos in this link.

https://www.germanaudiotech.com/page...s55-cl500-cl55
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Old Jan 31, 2024 | 04:54 PM
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CL500
If it can't be repaired or you choose not to, there's an outfit in Texas that, for around $300, you'd send them your cluster and they will take the programming off of it and use it to program a replacement cluster. Then they mail that replacement back to you. A $10 set of keys/tools to remove the cluster can be found on Ebay. A replacement cluster for the CL500 would need to be coded with your cars info so it can be validated by the shifter and ignition modules at startup. A coded replacement will show total miles on the car, which is needed for state inspection in PA, and likely other States.
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