CLS Coupe (C219) Discuss the CLS Coupe.

VDO Display Discoloration

Old Feb 5, 2025 | 12:02 AM
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w209forlifr's Avatar
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CLK350 (W209) CLS 550 (W219)
VDO Display Discoloration

I bought this ‘08 CLS 550 today and it has discoloration in the VDO display as shown in the photo below. Has anyone experienced this? Could it be an anti glare coating I could remove similar to the COMMAND screen. Thanks for the help.
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Old Feb 9, 2025 | 08:49 AM
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From: Herveld, Netherlands.
2008 Mercedes-Benz W219 CLS 550
Almost looks like moisture has gotten behind the display cover. Given how the stains continue in the odometer section.
My guess would be to have someone demount it or yourself. Get some dielectric cleaner spray and something to clean the inside of the housing.

Be gentle and patient, but since youé not speaking of any malfunctions. That be my guess. Althoug you would have answer the question to yourself.
How anything got behind it.
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Old Feb 9, 2025 | 09:38 AM
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2011 CLS550
unfortunately this generation/style of dash/tach is notorious for these types of issues. I have the updated style with white dials, and have some sort of delamination going on behind the RPM gauge and speedo. not exactly the same, but similar. in my case it causes dark splotches to appear. I'm not sure it would be worth the hassle trying to repair. but if you are brave enough please document the process.
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Old Feb 9, 2025 | 12:54 PM
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2008 Mercedes-Benz W219 CLS 550
Is this due to high humidity?
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Old Feb 9, 2025 | 01:08 PM
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From: Herveld, Netherlands.
2008 Mercedes-Benz W219 CLS 550
Originally Posted by Dokuji
unfortunately this generation/style of dash/tach is notorious for these types of issues. I have the updated style with white dials, and have some sort of delamination going on behind the RPM gauge and speedo. not exactly the same, but similar. in my case it causes dark splotches to appear. I'm not sure it would be worth the hassle trying to repair. but if you are brave enough please document the process.

Allright i dove a little deeper, and the lighter ringed modules seem to be the ones affected more by this. However this doesn’t look like the general delamination that shows black or dark spots. Because gauge faces don’t included the laminated piece he is showing in the middle.

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Old Feb 24, 2025 | 12:33 AM
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CLK350 (W209) CLS 550 (W219)
Thank you guys for the input! I was brave enough to pop out the instrument cluster to investigate. Disconnected the battery, popped the trim, and then it’s just 4 torx screws and a connector. Unfortunately, it does look like some sort of delamination on the display, almost like the top layer has bubbled up. The car lived in the Florida down south so I suspect humidity + heat got to it. I polished it which help the tiniest bit but did not have the bravery to try to peal it off or anything. On the bright side I was able to clean the inside of the cluster glass. Also, got to see how the floating speedometer needle works which is very cool. Just gonna have to live with it!
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