LandSeaAir

I bought a used cluster for its facia and put it on my current cluster. I have resisted plugging the new/used cluster in my car as i don't want it to lock out the original cluster/screw anything up. The secondhand one I have has white gauge needles instead of orange so I am curious about plugging it in. What would happen? After plugging in the purchased one, would I be able to put my original cluster back in without any problems/error messages or lines in the odometer display?

Plutoe

Nothing if yop swap the same part number cluster, however if not dont whine here

LandSeaAir

This doesn't really answer my question. So if part numbers are the same they are completely interchangeable with no permanent issues resulting?

MBENZTECH

Well, nothing will happen. The instrument cluster in the W204 synchronizes the mileage with the EIS's SSID. So since it has a different SSID it will not display mileage. It will show ---------. If the part number of the used one is listed in EPC, then the miles need to be 0 and SSID of old vehicle erased. Once that is done you can do online coding. If the cluster is from a completely different car/part number then you will need to manually code it.

LandSeaAir

That is helpful. So if I do not code or change the car/cluster, but after having the used one installed with "-------", what will happen if I put my original cluster back in? Would it work as it should? I want to test this out but don't want to lock out or permanently cause a "-------" on my original cluster.

MBENZTECH

Your original cluster will not be affected.

LandSeaAir

Now if I drive the car with the used cluster in displaying "-------" (but which shows higher miles than the car currently has), will my EIS sync with the higher mileage of the new(used cluster)? I think it probably would.

bbirdwell

If you are serious about it, just send both the new and old clusters to Mackhack or Pmercury and have one clear the replacement cluster's information and program the old cluster's information into the replacement cluster. He did it for my W210 E55's instrument cluster. Old one had a CANBUS issue; new cluster is working great and the mileage matched my old cluster when I installed the new.

If I read MBENZTECH's post correctly, the replacement cluster will never display the mileage as the EIS and replacement cluster have differing SSIDs. You have to erase the replacement's SSID and then re-program to match the original. This is what Mackhack did for me above.

MBENZTECH, if I misquoted you feel free to correct.

BenzNinja

iTrader: (4)

worst case just a little coding

MBENZTECH

You are correct. I can also do the same job on the bench, but both instrument clusters will need to be sent in. Once you get it back, no coding needed.

pmercury

iTrader: (2)

You only have two options after I looked further in to it
1) send it out as above
2) Get it programmed by remote ( I can do it but you have to have real diagnostic hardware ( a C4 for example )

BF_JC230

I don’t want to hack this thread. But, to piggy back on it;

I have a MY2005 w203 C230 built 30/11/2004.
It has roughly 90, 200 miles.

After owning it for 90,195 miles...a refreshed gauge pack would be nice. I’m looking at this w209 unit, with roughly 90,800 miles...

(Mechanically I have both cages, I’m going to try and Dremel and mod the CLK cluster on the bench before pulling all the guts down from my dashboard...)

So, all that to ask this...
If I swap the clusters at the same mileage (obviously it won’t be to the tenth) will that “fool” the ECU and EIS, when it triple checks odometer? 🤞🤞🤞

It sounds like, and reading here, that I’ll still have to have it wiped and the EEPROM erased, then bring it back with my Dell...

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ml#post8208645

Attached is the PN of the cluster I’d like to purchase.

W203 v w209

W203 v w209

W203 v w209 instrument cluster cage

W209 instrument panel I’d like to swap into my 2005 C230.

BF_JC230

It is my understanding that the EEPROM will need to be completely erased back to factory.

And, even then, there might be problems with a w209 reading out in KPH (v MPH) in a w203...regardless of settings.

LandSeaAir

Well apparently the part numbers do not need to be exactly the same, and the EIS value just stays unchanged if you drive around with "-------". Everything works as it should (uncoded) except for the "------". Part number is different because my car is a 2008 and donor car is a 2009 - 2009 has a tunnel effect over the gauges and it has white needles instead of orange. 2009 also has a consumption gauge (instant mpgs) which my 2008 did not...but it works perfectly without coding. Again, ----- is the only sign that coding is required. I just bought a 2010 cluster because it also has the TPMS PSI readouts... I'm betting it will work in my 08 without coding (2008 just tells me when the pressure is low but internally the iCarsoft shows pressure values for each wheel). We'll see I may be eating my words.

Things usually end up being simpler in practice.

Also, getting an updated cluster makes you feel (somewhat) like you are driving a new car.

BF_JC230

That is a big part of this project.
After 16 years I “need” a refresh...
I love the OEM cluster, but the w209 reminds me more of what I grew up with, w123, w126, w201,etc.

(So, hopefully 🤞, this can work...undetectably...someday...and in combination of my LED ambient lighting and illuminated shifter...it should feel a bit fresh.)

atlantaman

my cluster died a few months ago (2005 E55). After a lot of work I got it out of the car, noted the part number and ordered a replacement used one off EBAY (same part number).
Plugged it in and all works OK..but the clock is wrong and the mileage shows - - - - - -
Took it to dealer and after 3 hrs they gave up saying it would not accept the programming.... Any ideas?

MBENZTECH

On yours. The miles have to be set to 0 and then just perform initial start up on the vehicle with Xentry.

atlantaman

I am not sure what Xentry is , but the dealership ( 2 now) have not been able to get the clock or the odometer to "hand-shake" with the CPU and i also get a message that the adaptive headlights are not working. I actually dont have adaptive headlights so that needs fixing too.

I will shoot you a PM with my phone if you have a moment to call and advise.. Thanks.

rica155

Hello, sorry for meddling in this topic, but I can't seem to find any answers for my problem.
Thanks in advance for any answers and help.
I have a w204 estate (S204) 2009 pre-facelift, and I have the cluster below:

I would like to know if someone could help me out. I am interested in changing my stock cluster for any of the models of the clusters attached below (I take suggestions as well), doing this would I need to change the steering wheel as well as I have the classic wheel with 4 buttons like the picture below or could I keep the stock steering wheel ?(The ending result I want would be like this steering wheel picture - cluster and wheel).


My steering wheel is exactly the same as this picture.




Would I like to know how difficult would this process be, if it would need any coding as I would be buying used or would be like plug and play and that's it.
Thanks in advance for the help guys.