BilOutkast

As the title says. I broke the old bulbs and put on some T5/ #74 bulbs in 9 socket locations including the screen on a 99 CLK430. After every single LED bulb installed, I connected the cluster to clarify it works which every single one did but the last. As I put the bulb on the temperature location. Did the test check, none of the bulbs worked. Pulled the led bulb out of the temperature location and all worked. Back and forth. Tried flipping the contacts but couldn't get all the lights to go on with every single bulb in. So I left the temperature bulb out, started the car while parking lights were on and "poof!".
My cluster started smoking from the two middle locations. Now none of my
bulbs work, tried switching to oem bulbs, back to led, nada. Did I fry my cluster?
Everything works including the screen. Just no lights.
Sounds like i need a new cluster no? Thanks for looking.

edit: fuses are good.

nastyclk

I think that you may have needed resistors if the LEDs didnt have them already in their circuits. The stock system with LEDs would draw to much current for the LEDs to handle with no resistors and would prob fry them and also maybe the cluster.

rjlawlor646

i agree with nastyclk..as far as i know, but i may be wrong, led's dont require as much power as regular halogen bulbs and maybe that had something to do with it

big_mike1979

hmm that is weird..i got led in my cluster and all is well ....

dlbehrns

Its the bulb that draws current not the system. the system can only provide 12volts. An LED will only draw as little as it does which is less amps than the oem bulbs. you only need resistors if you are putting LEDs on the exterior to prevent the "bulb out" light on the dash from coming on. That's the deal with the dash light warning, the LED draws less current/amps and the system thinks the light is out therefore the resistor makes the system think the LED is drawing more amps than it really is. none of the interior lights need resistors. They are not part of the light out warning sytem on the dash. Like big mike said "hmm that is weird..i got led in my cluster and all is well." Sounds like you cracked the board or shorted something out. You will probably have to send your cluster out to get it fixed. Good luck