Oh to have a hardcopy or CD shop manual ........ would be wonderful.
My '98 E320 has had the right side of digital instrument display go nearly dark ....... can't see the clock in the daylight. This occurred without fanfare a few days ago. I'd assumed said digital display was LCD (a technology I only vaguely understand). But now I'm wondering; at night, the center and left areas appear to be backlit ....... are there "light bulbs" back there? Am I up against a simple bulb replacement as opposed to an LCD board replacement?
Loaded with optimism born of ignorance, I just ordered a set of Instrument Cluster Pull Hooks; a week to 10 days from Samstag. As I wait patiently, can anyone tell me what I'm going to find behind my lo-lite time piece, cheap bulb or expensive board?

Thanks in advance,
Rudy

PS The clock still works, but is visible only at night, in the garage, or in tunnels.

 

Relax, it's just a bulb that burned out, happens all the time. While you have the cluster out, it's best to just replace all the illumination bulbs and be done with it. While you have the cluster out, turn the headlights on and look at the back of the cluster to see which ones light up.

 

Dave, Thank you very much for your reassuring voice of reason. It's good to know that not every repair on this car is going to be $300 to $500.
Danke,
Rudy

 

Let us know how easy or difficult was this repair, mine started fading, but I noticed some blicking, so I taped on the right corner of the cluster with my finger and got it fixed. I know I'll have to fix it sooner or later.

 

my experience is similar to pocholin's. i lose the the right side dash illumination occasionally, particularly in colder weather. a couple of taps on top of dash just above speedo usually fixes the problem. in my case i assume it's nothing more than a loose connection. i'm hesitant to pull the cluster -- more thumbs than fingers -- and so have lived with it for the past 18 mos or so.

fwiw to those interested in age/mileage related topics my 99 e320 just turned 113K miles. no really major mechanical problems since new. regularly changed fluids, filters, two sets of brake pads, one set of rotors and a new set of plugs. Many minor issues previously addressed in this forum like burnt out bulbs, popping seat rails, lousy radio reception, dash lights out (above)etc. But overall its been a safe, smooth mechanically sound daily driver. i hope to keep it running at least another 100K miles.

 

Wow, that a good milage! how about the A/C? or the Alternator?

 

i'm very pleased with the car. ac still pushing cold air. no alternator issue that i know of. i would think the water pump would be the first thing to go. so far temp readings have stayed w/in normal range. knock on wood console!!!

 

That is really good!

 

I've rarely seen a V6 water pump go bad, even after 100,000 miles. They used to go bad quite frequently with the inline six-cylinder, but Benz finally got them right. The more common problems you might see at some point with your E320 are split lower control arm bushings, cracked front flex disc driveshaft coupling, leaky differential and leaky transmission electrical connector.

 

thx mbtech. i will make a note of those items. wondering what prompts you to mention them. do you work on mb's for a living??

 

Yes