SL/R230: R230 Instrument Cluster Replacement
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
Likes: 88
From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
R230 Instrument Cluster Replacement
So i need to replace my instrument cluster on a 2005 SL500. Gives me all kinds of hicups and when scanned with SDS showed me something about bad connection with the cluster.
Any way the question is - can i replace with any SL500 donor cluster? Or from any SL of the series - SL55/600/63/65?
Why i'm asking is because i researched using the EPC system, and it shows me a list of parts #. The next part on the list replaces the previous (See attached 1). As much as i understand they're all interchangeable. Now when looking online for the cluster, all the sellers refer to an interchangeable part #. The interchangeable part # is not present in the list on the pic attached. Where did that come from?
Am i suppose to use a replacement cluster with the part # from the list? Or it will work if listed with the same interchangeable part #?
Is any big concern about how many miles has the donor vehicle? (I mean time related and lifespan)?
I know about the procedure, so please info on the questions asked
It confuses me because i expected 1 part number in result of a part search by VIN number. The system came up with 10 different parts #....
Thx in advance
P.S.
The website i used to look up the part # - https://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/start.jsp
Free registration for an awesome database!
Any way the question is - can i replace with any SL500 donor cluster? Or from any SL of the series - SL55/600/63/65?
Why i'm asking is because i researched using the EPC system, and it shows me a list of parts #. The next part on the list replaces the previous (See attached 1). As much as i understand they're all interchangeable. Now when looking online for the cluster, all the sellers refer to an interchangeable part #. The interchangeable part # is not present in the list on the pic attached. Where did that come from?
Am i suppose to use a replacement cluster with the part # from the list? Or it will work if listed with the same interchangeable part #?
Is any big concern about how many miles has the donor vehicle? (I mean time related and lifespan)?
I know about the procedure, so please info on the questions asked
It confuses me because i expected 1 part number in result of a part search by VIN number. The system came up with 10 different parts #....
Thx in advance
P.S.
The website i used to look up the part # - https://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/start.jsp
Free registration for an awesome database!
Last edited by Ghostty; Jul 7, 2016 at 10:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
Likes: 88
From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
Thx, Plutoe. Dealer confirmed that any of the same series SL will work for me. Luckily, i don't need it any more, was related to other issue and it's all good now.
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Just an FYI, if you have to replace the cluster, and you install a used one, then you will lose the odometer. Basically, the mileage is stored both in the EZS (ignition switch) and the cluster. If these do not match, then it refuses to display in the cluster. SDS can only "marry" a cluster to the EZS if it's a new. "virgin" unit, which is basically one with zero miles on it (actually, I think it can be up to 100 miles, but it might as well be zero).
There is a way to do this with a used cluster. You have to reprogram its EEPROM to have zero miles, then SDS will allow you to marry it to the car. There are several tools that can do this, some are very expensive, some are simple EEPROM programmers. Of course those cheap EEPROM programmers mean some soldering of chips, meaning disassembling the cluster. I went through this with my C240 and it can be done, but it is definitely not for the casual shade tree mechanic.
There is a way to do this with a used cluster. You have to reprogram its EEPROM to have zero miles, then SDS will allow you to marry it to the car. There are several tools that can do this, some are very expensive, some are simple EEPROM programmers. Of course those cheap EEPROM programmers mean some soldering of chips, meaning disassembling the cluster. I went through this with my C240 and it can be done, but it is definitely not for the casual shade tree mechanic.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
Likes: 88
From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
Thank you, Rudeney!
I'm sure someone will get use of this info, because it's pretty detailed what to look for and what to expect.
When i was going to replace the cluster most likely i was going to get a used one ~$500 for used / 1700 new online / 3000 new dealer... see yourself
My Indy guy, who i was going to let do the job, said he did that before, replaced the cluster with all the data being transfered to the new cluster. Of course i would come prepared to the task by finding out how/what he replaced before, and what part i need to find. Because the cluster is, as the EIS, vin specific. but works from any other SL of the series. from a 500 model to a 500, 55 to 55, and such. I checked with EPC before even considering a used one to make sure it fits.
P.S.
My Indy that deals with electronics is actually pretty good, many others referred me to him when i dealt with more complicated tasks And he actually repaired everything i needed on many different cars, so i tend to trust him
Thank you again,
Ghostty
I'm sure someone will get use of this info, because it's pretty detailed what to look for and what to expect.
When i was going to replace the cluster most likely i was going to get a used one ~$500 for used / 1700 new online / 3000 new dealer... see yourself
My Indy guy, who i was going to let do the job, said he did that before, replaced the cluster with all the data being transfered to the new cluster. Of course i would come prepared to the task by finding out how/what he replaced before, and what part i need to find. Because the cluster is, as the EIS, vin specific. but works from any other SL of the series. from a 500 model to a 500, 55 to 55, and such. I checked with EPC before even considering a used one to make sure it fits.P.S.
My Indy that deals with electronics is actually pretty good, many others referred me to him when i dealt with more complicated tasks
And he actually repaired everything i needed on many different cars, so i tend to trust him Thank you again,
Ghostty
Last edited by Ghostty; Jul 9, 2016 at 01:18 AM.
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Again, just in case someone searches the forum and comes across this thread in seek of help...
There was a change in the CAN bus system as of MY2005. There was a mild "facelift" that was most evident by the change in the COMAND system, but it went beyond that into the electronics so you cannot swap clusters across this year. Well, you can, but it means a lot more work that is not worth it.
If you do swap for a used cluster, and you are going the route of soldering chips, then the easiest thing to do is to just swap the EEPROM(s) from the defective cluster to the replacement. This means no EEPROM programming and no SDS coding is needed. There are some EEPROM tools that can be used to zero the miles that do not require removing the chips, so in that case, assuming access to SDS, it would be easiest to zero the miles then re-marry with SDS.
Luckily, neither the cluster nor the EIS require SCN coding. SCN = Software Calibration Number, which is MBZ-speak for "firmware coding specific to the vehicle that must be downloaded from MBZ corporate". SCN coding requires a live/licensed version of SDS connected to MBZ corporate for download of this firmware. So, with a cluster with zero miles on the clock, SDS sees it as new/virgin and it will allow you to go through the "initial startup" procedure and inherit the mileage from the EIS and set all the options. This can be done with the "Chinese clone" SDS setups with no live connection needed.
There was a change in the CAN bus system as of MY2005. There was a mild "facelift" that was most evident by the change in the COMAND system, but it went beyond that into the electronics so you cannot swap clusters across this year. Well, you can, but it means a lot more work that is not worth it.
If you do swap for a used cluster, and you are going the route of soldering chips, then the easiest thing to do is to just swap the EEPROM(s) from the defective cluster to the replacement. This means no EEPROM programming and no SDS coding is needed. There are some EEPROM tools that can be used to zero the miles that do not require removing the chips, so in that case, assuming access to SDS, it would be easiest to zero the miles then re-marry with SDS.
Luckily, neither the cluster nor the EIS require SCN coding. SCN = Software Calibration Number, which is MBZ-speak for "firmware coding specific to the vehicle that must be downloaded from MBZ corporate". SCN coding requires a live/licensed version of SDS connected to MBZ corporate for download of this firmware. So, with a cluster with zero miles on the clock, SDS sees it as new/virgin and it will allow you to go through the "initial startup" procedure and inherit the mileage from the EIS and set all the options. This can be done with the "Chinese clone" SDS setups with no live connection needed.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
Likes: 88
From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
Considering the cluster in question being from the dealer (2007-2008 m.y.) and that they would never sell something incompatible, the answer would be no - shouldn't be any compatibility concerns with using a newer version of a cluster, considering it being brand new. As long as is for the same generation.
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