2MCHCAR

My instrument cluster is acting strange lately. I first noticed that the clock was wrong, so I fixed it; but it never manages to keep accurate time. Now at night, the gauges do not illuminate (only the needles do) and I'm getting a service B is due now message (but I know for a fact that I have 1500 more miles to go). I suspected the fuses and checked them, but found no problems. Now I'm suspecting the battery for several reasons:
1. I've heard of cases where the electronics went crazy and the problems where fixed after the battery was replaced.
2. I believe I have the original battery from '03 (it's getting about the right time for a change).
3. My sound system has a capacitor that displays the voltage of the system and when the car is off, it reads 12.1v.

Has anybody experienced a problem like this? Any thoughts on what could be the cause?

dynomite05

I know badblack550 recently had this problem, and his is an 09. He text me a pic of his dash. I will ask him what was done to fix it. Does this look familiar?

2MCHCAR

Yes! That is exactly how my gauge cluster looks like right now! Let me know what he did to fix it!

dynomite05

Just finished talking to him. Apparently, it went back to normal after a few days. I can't imagine it being a fuse seeing as his car is so new. He will be taking in to get serviced soon, so I will keep you posted.

Supafly

lol...lately my clusters been acting funny aswell.

Upon startup, all the electricals light up, but the tachometer reads 0-rpm... the fan motor runs and all the interior lights turn on....never tried driving when this happened.
It only happens once in awhile but its a PITA. .

2MCHCAR

So I called the Mercedes road side assistance and told them I needed a battery, 40 minutes later a Mercedes Tech came over, removed the old battery, installed the new one, and reset all the windows, set the clock, and hauled away the old one. I paid the price of the battery which was $190 with tax. Now my volt reading is 12.7v when the car is not on, my instrument cluster is back to normal and the car is not telling me that my service B is due now.

I'm not sure the battery was the fix (possible the process of removing power from the car could have helped), but I'm happy now!

dynomite05

Good to hear. After hearing this, I might change my battery sooner than I expected.

Kevwood

A low battery seems to cause a lot off little issues, my C class kept flashing 'ESP not available' when my battery was low, replaced it and no problems now.

thegeneraltso

Must only happened on European cars . I have an '07 XC90 and always listen to the radio/CD with the engine off when in-queue to pick up my kids at their school. My ESP and BAS lights would come on and go off by the time I get home (about 20 minutes drive). I found from the shop that my battery level was at the threshold and once it was replaced, no problem since.

Never happened on my pre-electronic-aged '03 MPV though.

Klinh

Damn, that's expensive !!!!!! I put a new battery about 2 months ago for $90 included taxes.