CLK-Class (W208) 1998-2002: CLK 200, CLK 230K, CLK 320, CLK 430 [Coupes & Cabriolets]

LED Cluster

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Old Mar 3, 2014 | 02:20 PM
  #1  
Scott Simoncic's Avatar
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From: Lodi, CA
2001 CLK55 AMG
LED Cluster

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen.... I've wanted to update the look of my cluster, not necessarily to Blue, but just to a cleaner look, as I came from a later model SC400 that had a very crisp instrument cluster. This has been 3 weeks of trial and error, and, after thinking I broke a bunch of B8.5d LED's, I realized the method to get the best dispersion without having to go crazy custom in the dash. You do need a dremel and soldering iron, but no modding will be done to the actual cluster. There is a specific B8.5d LED you will need to purchase, with the large circular circuit board on it, this will allow the footprint necessary to de-solder it from the base it comes with, and solder it onto the original OSRAM green bases inside the MB Cluster. I got to this point because I tried so many different aftermarket B8.5d's and none fit properly, even with cutting, that I broke all 10 of the ones I bought.... I then thought, well, I could just solder it to the tabs of the original bulb sockets... That worked like a charm, and they fit as they are supposed to! Being SMD LED's, they are bright and I don't have hot spots in the illumination. Here are a few after pics, I will be doing a full write up tonight when I get home and can take pictures of the sockets as I modded them.


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Old Mar 3, 2014 | 09:03 PM
  #2  
averageclk320's Avatar
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From: Pensacola, Florida
2000 CLK320
Originally Posted by Scott Simoncic
Hello Ladies and Gentlemen.... I've wanted to update the look of my cluster, not necessarily to Blue, but just to a cleaner look, as I came from a later model SC400 that had a very crisp instrument cluster. This has been 3 weeks of trial and error, and, after thinking I broke a bunch of B8.5d LED's, I realized the method to get the best dispersion without having to go crazy custom in the dash. You do need a dremel and soldering iron, but no modding will be done to the actual cluster. There is a specific B8.5d LED you will need to purchase, with the large circular circuit board on it, this will allow the footprint necessary to de-solder it from the base it comes with, and solder it onto the original OSRAM green bases inside the MB Cluster. I got to this point because I tried so many different aftermarket B8.5d's and none fit properly, even with cutting, that I broke all 10 of the ones I bought.... I then thought, well, I could just solder it to the tabs of the original bulb sockets... That worked like a charm, and they fit as they are supposed to! Being SMD LED's, they are bright and I don't have hot spots in the illumination. Here are a few after pics, I will be doing a full write up tonight when I get home and can take pictures of the sockets as I modded them.






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Old Mar 7, 2014 | 12:40 PM
  #3  
sick430's Avatar
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CLK Cabrio
Yeah we need pics. and more info on the LEDs
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Old Mar 18, 2014 | 06:46 PM
  #4  
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02' CLK 430
Pics yet? I was excited to see this!
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Old Mar 19, 2014 | 12:04 AM
  #5  
Williams707's Avatar
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2000 CLK 320
He posted this pic

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Old Mar 19, 2014 | 12:31 AM
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2002 CLK430
I can't wait to do this. Looking forward to the writeup.
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Old Mar 19, 2014 | 01:11 AM
  #7  
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02' CLK 430
Originally Posted by miatawnt2b
I can't wait to do this. Looking forward to the writeup.
Looks good!

KRis
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Old Mar 19, 2014 | 11:52 AM
  #8  
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I'd be happy with that.
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Old Mar 19, 2014 | 12:04 PM
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I'd probably remove the orange paint from the needles and paint the backs white.
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