does anyone know how to remove the instrument cluster?
TIA.

 

Don't you need it? I think it's pretty essential...

 

 

i know i need it, just wanted to switch it out, i have a friend parting out with a 03 least return and i like the white face gauge that will match with my white car. any help would be apreciated.

 

wont the mileage be wrong?

 

This should help you.

http://media.putfile.com/Mercedes-Be...luster-removal

best regards

 

Sounds illegal..

 

It is illegal if you are attempting to alter your odometer reading, but I don't think that is dacollector's intention here. He simply wants to swap his black gauges for the white ones. Nothing illegal about that.

Someone else did a similar swap, but on a C-class.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/137017-lowered-car-new-cluster.html

 

Mileage on a replacement odometer that differs from the mileage indicated on the odometer to be replaced violates applicable laws. Therefore, each instrument cluster will need to be recoded using STAR Diagnosis menus to enter the correct mileage in the IC. Unless you have access to STAR, the dealer will need to be involved. Furthermore, even if you accomplish the recoding on your own, don’t you think someone will notice that a vehicle with the Sport Package is being returned with a standard IC?

 

it will be vissible that the cliusters have been swapped out as soon as stardiagnose gets plugged in and runs a quick test on the car - the mileage is saved in several different modules and a mismatch of that mileage will show as an error code - HOWEVER - if you have a stardiagnose machine AND somebody who knows what he does, you can actually have the instrument cluster (even some used ones) ADAPT the mileage from the car (the other way around is not possible as that is altering the mileage).

I know that randy's main reason for the IC swap is getting the auto fold feature for his power folding mirrors and that he couldn't care less about altering the mileage but if you can't get the IC mileage to adapt from the car - I wouldn't do the swap...

greetingz,

 

I have the same problem, just got folding mirrors and the auto fold feature is not in my cluster even though I have a 1/03 production date (I thought all '03 production dates and later had the ability - I guess not). I really want the auto fold rather than pressing the button each time. Big thanks to Sunil for the install, it went quick and smooth!

Has anyone done a successful swap with a used instrument cluster (with proper star diagnose programming) or did you have to buy a new blank from the dealer and have it programmed? A new blank cluster and programming is going to double my cost to have auto folding mirrors!

Thanks!

 

hi mbuskuhl,
i feel your pain , i too have to push the button.. i have inquired about a new cluster from the dealer, they don't know if they come with the program in them, and being it's electrical, there is no return, didn't want to take a chance.
however, i am trying to get one with the white gauges to match the white exterior. being there is only one mb dealer in hawaii, they are not the most helpful, they tell me to find an e class with the gauge style i like and give them the vin # so they can pull up the part # for that particular part that i want. i haven't been as successful as i wanted to find one with a build date in 04 and up so as to hopefully get that feature. but if i buy a new one, and it turns out it dosn't come with that feature, then i would at least have a better looking gauge cluster to match...

 

Mark,

I checked several modules and the software versions of the modules are too old to support autofolding. There is no menu option in the cluster at all. You also do not have tire pressure loss warning in the menus like some later 2003 E's I have worked on.

 

Any chance someone could re-post this file? I'm trying to determine whether my 2004 E320 Cdn spec wagon (with Audio 50) has the GPS antenna installed or not, and apparently the GPS antenna is installed behind the instrument cluster...

Thanx.