C32 Gauge Cluster LEDs missing - HELP!!!
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From: Annandale, Virginia
C32 Gauge Cluster LEDs missing - HELP!!!
A mechanic pointed out to me that my "Check Engine Light" won't come on. After removing the odometer gauge cluster, it is obvious someone removed the LED for the check engine, as well as one for a symbol that looks like a cloud of smoke. I bought the car used from a private party, and I'm pretty pissed that someone went to the extent of removing the soldered LEDs (and disposing of them) instead of fixing the freakin' air pump. Idiots. I took my gauge cluster to a MB dealership this morning, and they are so inexperienced with these that they didn't even know how to open it up to get to the LEDs. Yikes. Service manager said when there's something wrong with these clusters, they replace the whole dang thing, and they can't order just the LEDs. Does anyone know where I can purchase these, and what the voltage/amperage is on these so I might be able to substitute a Radio Shack LED instead? Thanks. 
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
Virginia is a long ways from California, but -
In California, the seller is responsible for supplying a VALID smog certificate. The smog techs are not allowed to pass a car unless car has a working check engine light AND that light is NOT illuminated. In your case, if you bought the car in that condition, the smog cert was illegally obtained. The California DMV loves to hear about crooked smog stations and the car owners that use them. I wonder what the Virginia DMV thinks . . . . .
In California, the seller is responsible for supplying a VALID smog certificate. The smog techs are not allowed to pass a car unless car has a working check engine light AND that light is NOT illuminated. In your case, if you bought the car in that condition, the smog cert was illegally obtained. The California DMV loves to hear about crooked smog stations and the car owners that use them. I wonder what the Virginia DMV thinks . . . . .
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Debadged 6-Speed '05 C320 Sports Coupe
These can be purchased on-line. The two big distributors are Digi-Key or Mouser. The size and color need to be selected. The part is polarized, meaning that it works in only one orientation. Hopefully the assembly will have a silkscreen with the cathode marked with a band.
Post a close-up image, with a scale or ruler, to enable additional assistance.
It is possible to use a hand-solder iron and wire solder to replace this part.
Post a close-up image, with a scale or ruler, to enable additional assistance.
It is possible to use a hand-solder iron and wire solder to replace this part.
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From: Annandale, Virginia
Originally Posted by MarcusF
In California, the seller is responsible for supplying a VALID smog certificate.
So I found that the voltage across the check engine light connections was just under 5 Volts, so I installed a 5V LED from Radio Shack and it works fine. Of course, now the Check Engine light won't go off, because it's still throwing the P0160 (if I remember correctly) error code regarding the secondary injection system malfunction. Replacing the air pump tomorrow...
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From: Annandale, Virginia
Picture attached
Originally Posted by wingless
Post a close-up image, with a scale or ruler, to enable additional assistance.
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From: Rhode Island
Debadged 6-Speed '05 C320 Sports Coupe
Thanks for the image. It sounds like the wrong LED is working okay. Is a replacement part number required?
Please note that in addition to removing the LED, a resistor was also removed, below and to the left of the new LED.
Please note that in addition to removing the LED, a resistor was also removed, below and to the left of the new LED.
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From: Annandale, Virginia
Originally Posted by wingless
Is a replacement part number required?
Originally Posted by wingless
Please note that in addition to removing the LED, a resistor was also removed, below and to the left of the new LED.
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From: Rhode Island
Debadged 6-Speed '05 C320 Sports Coupe
Originally Posted by wingless
It sounds like the wrong LED is working okay. Is a replacement part number required?
Originally Posted by FairfaxC32
I couldn't see any P/N on any of the LEDs
Originally Posted by wingless
Please note that in addition to removing the LED, a resistor was also removed, below and to the left of the new LED.
Originally Posted by FairfaxC32
Why would someone remove a resistor? WTF.
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From: Annandale, Virginia
Originally Posted by wingless
Is a part number required to permit replacement of the missing LED with an appropriate replacement part?
It may be that the resistor removal was an attempt to "silence" the LED. My guess is that the CEL LED may activated from two sources, each with their own path through these resistors. The path through the remaining resistor is currently active. With that resistor missing the other path will not function.
It may be that the resistor removal was an attempt to "silence" the LED. My guess is that the CEL LED may activated from two sources, each with their own path through these resistors. The path through the remaining resistor is currently active. With that resistor missing the other path will not function.
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From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
A long while ago someone in Germany (??) replaced all of the LED in his car with blue ones. Including airbag, stalk and door switches. He put up a parts list and a cross-reference on which type were used in which location.
The only way to get info on the resistor is to look at another cluster. I would assume it is a voltage resistance for LED operation. But who knows, maybe it was never there in the first place because it may be a C230 or diesel thing.
The whole thing snaps together .... why did the dealer refuse to do that ?
The only way to get info on the resistor is to look at another cluster. I would assume it is a voltage resistance for LED operation. But who knows, maybe it was never there in the first place because it may be a C230 or diesel thing.
The whole thing snaps together .... why did the dealer refuse to do that ?
Last edited by benzmodz; Mar 25, 2006 at 07:37 PM.
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From: Rhode Island
Debadged 6-Speed '05 C320 Sports Coupe
Originally Posted by benzmodz
The only way to get info on the resistor is to look at another cluster. I would assume it is a voltage resistance for LED operation. But who knows, maybe it was never there in the first place because it may be a C230 or diesel thing.
The missing resistor has flux around the pads. The other solder joints have been cleaned, so something was there that has been removed. If done by a MB contractor, not a hack, then they would have cleaned the flux.
That is unlike the empty LED pad to the left of the new LED. That pad has never been used.
Yes, examination of an identical cluster would be best, any chance of that?
Examination of an image of a larger section of the cluster would not hurt.
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From: Annandale, Virginia
Originally Posted by benzmodz
The whole thing snaps together .... why did the dealer refuse to do that ?
