Just as a quick note, I took a letter, which was sent to me on request, from MBUSA, which stated that our instrument clusters have an extended warranty on them (unlimited miles & 10 years from in service date), to an MB dealer in NJ to get checked. I made sure they knew this has nothing to do with a recall.
They confirmed there was an issue with the rheostat and with some electrical problem and replaced it for free.
Keep in mind, I didn't use my Fidelity warranty here. Totally covered by MB.

Thanks to SKYLAW in his "S Class Owners Start Here" sticky.

 

awesome, i took me three dealers to find one who knew about the cluster special warranty

 

I had mine replaced last year in my '02 CL500. I called the service rep. and he said bring it in, it happens all the time. There was never a question as to whether it was covered or not and the replacement took a total of about 45 minutes. No charge, covered by MB.

 

i wonder if im still eligible? mine is a 2001 s430 and sometimes when i turn the brightness knob on cluster, it flickers?

 

If you dont know your cars original in-service date, or have a copy of its carfax, go make a FREE classifieds ad listing on ebay motors as if you are putting your car up for sale.

That way you can see the free Autocheck report, which should show the original sale date. You have 10 years from that day for the cluster warranty. HURRY!

 

Actually on my 2001 S500 (US) the MFD is listed on the VIN sticker on the pillar. Open the driver door and below the latch you should see the date on the top right corner of the sticker. My display died on July 5th 2011. My warrenty expired on 04/11. One month after my service date.

Still driving blind, had to order the tool to remove so I can ship out for repair. I would assume all 00 and most 01's are done and 02's are on the hot seat.

Did the dealer provide a new warrenty for any repaired under the recall? I read that the issue is a design flaw and could occur again.

 

I asked that question and was told by the MB tech that they haven't had one come back yet. Not exactly what I wanted to hear but I'm sure MB, first of all, would have fixed the problem before going thru this expense of replacing 10 year old clusters, and secondly, that MB would provide some type of warranty for these new clusters, even if it's only a year. A call to 1-800-for-merc would answer this question, though. Just my 2 cents.

 

I need help getting the cluster out. If anyone can tell me...I put the keys (tools) in the slots and pulled but it would not move. Do I need to remove the wood trim? Do I need to keep pulling until it gives? Also, I have one key that will not come out. Is there a trick to this thing?

 

good call, i actually bought the carfax 5 deal and used 1 for the purchase of my car which was nov. 2010, i should have a year from that date to check..

so its 10 years from the very 1st in-service date?? NOT manufacture date right?

 

From the in service date.

 

You are looking at the WRONG DATE!

The MFD is NOT THE IN SERVICE DATE. The date that detemines the warranty is when the car was first sold , NOT THE MFD when the car was made(manufacturing date).

So stop pulling on your dash and get down to MB, unless it was sold as soon as it hit US shores and did not sit on the dealer lot for any time, chances are your car is still within the 10 year in-service date!!!

if you need to see the inservice date, use the steps I mentioned above or ask MB

 

I called the dealer and MBUSA and the warrenty date expired 04/11. So, I'm on my own with this one.

Thanks for clearing it up for me.

 

Supergenous,

The extended warranty date applies from the initial date of service, not the date of manufacture (which is on the door jamb). That gives you more time. The dealer's records will show the initial service date.

 

What was the date on your door jamb? Was it 4/2001 or earlier than that?


If the date on your doorjamb is 4/2001, there is almost no way your in service date is also 4/2001. If your doorjamb says 3/2001 or earlier then I would believe MB

you should confirm inservice date using either the ebay/autocheck/carfax methods posted above.

 

It is 03/01, my inservice date is 04/01.