2006 S430 4Matic Instrument Cluster Dead
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 220
Likes: 2
From: New England
2006 S430 4Matic
2006 S430 4Matic Instrument Cluster Dead
I have a problem with my instrument cluster. The lights started going dark then the cluster went dead no gauges no nothing. I have read other threads on this problem but they are very dated. The suggestions posted there no longer apply since MB has changed the design. I called the dealer only to be told that it is not covered under any recalls. Any ideas or suggestions would be much appreciated. Also if I need to send it out to be refurbished who would I go to?
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 213
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From: Indiana
2002 S430
Here is fragment from an older thread ( I don't remember who posted it):
"
Call Mercedes (1-800-FOR-MERCEDES). Tell them your dealer is not honoring the W220 cluster warranty extension. They will rip your dealer another one. Your dealer is looking at the older recall, which was by VIN. MB replaced this with a simple 10-year extended warranty for all W220s, cluster only. The dealer failing to honor this is putting an agreement between MB and the NTSB in jeopardy and MB could wind up in court."
There is indeed a 10 year extended warranty just for the instrument cluster going black. I missed it by three month last year, but mine is 2002. I do not know if the ten years starts at the year the car was manufactured, but my dealer certainly studied carefully the VIN number then came back with bad news and $1200 fix. Also someone posted an East Coast address you can mail the cluster for repair, for a small fraction of the dealer cost. You should personally approach the dealer, never calling on the phone with such issues, dont make them easy to reject you.
"
Call Mercedes (1-800-FOR-MERCEDES). Tell them your dealer is not honoring the W220 cluster warranty extension. They will rip your dealer another one. Your dealer is looking at the older recall, which was by VIN. MB replaced this with a simple 10-year extended warranty for all W220s, cluster only. The dealer failing to honor this is putting an agreement between MB and the NTSB in jeopardy and MB could wind up in court."
There is indeed a 10 year extended warranty just for the instrument cluster going black. I missed it by three month last year, but mine is 2002. I do not know if the ten years starts at the year the car was manufactured, but my dealer certainly studied carefully the VIN number then came back with bad news and $1200 fix. Also someone posted an East Coast address you can mail the cluster for repair, for a small fraction of the dealer cost. You should personally approach the dealer, never calling on the phone with such issues, dont make them easy to reject you.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,063
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From: Tampa, FL
2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
I came across your question on BenzWorld; here is the response:
First, a complete failure of the instrument cluster (gauges fail to register, NOTHING works) is likely a fuse.
Failure of the lighting only is likely the MOSFETs you are talking about.
If your car was originally sold in the U.S., it comes under an extended 10 year warranty that applies to ALL W220s and W215s sold here. There is plenty of information about this, as well as for repair services - see the W220 S-Class Encyclopedia in the stickies at the top of the forum page (http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...tart-here.html) You will make an expensive mistake if you tamper with the cluster before making a warranty claim.
Additional note: The W220 Encyclopedia on BenzWorld is more current than the one I posted here quite some time ago; that's why I refer you to it. On BW I am able to make changes without a time limit, so it can be more easily kept up to date; and I can also lock the thread, to keep extraneous commentary out of it - something I cannot do with the thread on MBW.
Trombone is correct; your dealer is confusing a recall, which applied to only some VINs in certain years, with the extended warranty, which applies to all W220s and W215s. The Encyclopedia link should make that clear.
First, a complete failure of the instrument cluster (gauges fail to register, NOTHING works) is likely a fuse.
Failure of the lighting only is likely the MOSFETs you are talking about.
If your car was originally sold in the U.S., it comes under an extended 10 year warranty that applies to ALL W220s and W215s sold here. There is plenty of information about this, as well as for repair services - see the W220 S-Class Encyclopedia in the stickies at the top of the forum page (http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...tart-here.html) You will make an expensive mistake if you tamper with the cluster before making a warranty claim.
Additional note: The W220 Encyclopedia on BenzWorld is more current than the one I posted here quite some time ago; that's why I refer you to it. On BW I am able to make changes without a time limit, so it can be more easily kept up to date; and I can also lock the thread, to keep extraneous commentary out of it - something I cannot do with the thread on MBW.
Trombone is correct; your dealer is confusing a recall, which applied to only some VINs in certain years, with the extended warranty, which applies to all W220s and W215s. The Encyclopedia link should make that clear.
Last edited by Skylaw; Mar 27, 2013 at 06:28 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 220
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From: New England
2006 S430 4Matic
Hi all, I gathered all of the documentation about the extended warranty on the instrument cluster and made a stop on the way home today at the MB Dealer. I was armed to the teeth with informaiton and went in and found the service manager. I told him I had a 2006 S430 and that the instrument cluster was broken and wanted a warranty repair. He just said it is covered and the replacement would be free. I have an appointment for Friday. He said it would only take around 45 minutes. I have no idea why on the phone they told me it was not covered. I was kind of disapointed because I was ready for a spirited debate.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,284
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From: North Carolina
2003 S500 - Toyota Corolla (in the rain)
Trust me, they told you on the phone that it was not covered because that is what they tell everyone. Believe it or not most people don't even challenge that decision. They would also have fixed it and you can bet that if you had to pay the cost it would take a lot longer than 45 minutes. Mercedes doesn't do anything in 45 minutes unless it is under warranty or recall. Matter of fact, I was charged $1600 when mine went out which was later refunded when the recall was issued.
One of the many reasons why following this forum and others like it is so important for MB owners.
One of the many reasons why following this forum and others like it is so important for MB owners.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 26
From: Tampa, FL
2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
The recall is at the attachment below; it does not expire, but your car must be within the date and VIN range specified. The extended warranty (see letter, post 58, https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...removal-3.html) does expire 10 years after initial date of service.
If the recall did not apply or if the warranty has expired, see http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...ml#post5758758 for repair shops - which will be FAR less than the cost of a new replacement unit.
If the recall did not apply or if the warranty has expired, see http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...ml#post5758758 for repair shops - which will be FAR less than the cost of a new replacement unit.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 220
Likes: 2
From: New England
2006 S430 4Matic
You are correct there are no recalls on the cluster. MB extended the warranty to 10 years on it. I went into the dealer and asked for a warranty repair on the cluster. They did not give me a hard time, they just replaced it no charge. My vehicle is an 06 and I had it done maybe 6 months ago.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6
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2004 MBZ S430 6 Speed
My vehicle is a 2004 MBZ S430 and mine went out in December 2012 via the slow death. Fuses replaced twice then it was complete malfunctioning. WI Simonson in Santa Monica, CA fixed it within three days. Like new...except it does no illuminate speed after 100mph....maybe the car is suggesting I do not go that fast...hahahahaha
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,150
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Mercedes
Good cluster info
Check the document linked by skylaw to see if you fall within the recalled units
You are out of the Ten year warranty in a 2002 car so your only hope is to be covered by the recall still
Recalls never ever expire
Check the document linked by skylaw to see if you fall within the recalled units
You are out of the Ten year warranty in a 2002 car so your only hope is to be covered by the recall still
Recalls never ever expire
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 26
From: Tampa, FL
2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
If your VIN isn't part of the recall and your car is beyond the 10-year warranty, there are some folks who will repair the cluster for a LOT less than replacing it. See Post 15, http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...l#post10079481
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3
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Mercedes E320 4Matic
2004 S430 Dead Instrument Cluster (sent out for repair)
I sent my cluster off to get it repaired but when it arrived back, the cluster is still dead. When it left, the speed gauge was stuck at 62, when I got it back, it was at 0 so they had to do something to it. Also have lights out on the door panel still, etc, steering controls not working. Any ideas? Think I need to send it back? Need a fuse diagram, the one I found on here is kind of blurry. Checked all the fused I could find and they're not blown. Any help would be appreciated!
Update: Fixed my problem. Was a blown fuse, in the fuse box not on the diagrams on the right passenger side in the dash. Fuse 78 was blown, replaced and all is well.
Update: Fixed my problem. Was a blown fuse, in the fuse box not on the diagrams on the right passenger side in the dash. Fuse 78 was blown, replaced and all is well.
Last edited by TheLastDon; Nov 27, 2015 at 08:52 PM.
