1998 S430 Dasboard display

[harrysohal]

The dashboard illumination on my 1998 S430 just went off. Everything else seems fine but I cannot see anything on dashboard display other than warning triangles, brake and ABS lights, and the flourescent needles. I thought maybe a fuse blown, but difficult to check because there is no fuse layout diagram anywhere in car or handbook. Dealer says probably "speedo head gone" and the word "expensive" came up. I'm hoping he's wrong. Can anybody help please?

 

[jberks]

The S class dash cluster is lit by a cold cathode bulb and these fail.
Its a very common failure and can be fixed quite easily. Still not cheap but a lot less than a new cluster.
see
http://www.bba-reman.com/catalogue/DetailedProduct.aspx?DetailedProduct=559

 

[television]

The S class dash cluster is lit by a cold cathode bulb and these fail.
Its a very common failure and can be fixed quite easily. Still not cheap but a lot less than a new cluster.
see
http://www.bba-reman.com/catalogue/DetailedProduct.aspx?DetailedProduct=559

Thank you JBerks, I got that one wrong :-( :-( and have removed the post

 

[Blobcat]

Were Mercedes repairing these almost as a recall?

 

[television]

Nothing shown on the Ruski site, I will look it up later if I turn on number 2

 

[BlackC55]

Yes it is a re-call/service measure. Phone the dealer and quote your VIN and they should tell you if your car qualifies.

There is a 5amp fuse also in the left fuse box under the bonnet that blows. Check that first.

 

[hawk20]

There has been a recall for the instrument cluster on the 220 series. I posted a thread in the electrics section (now a sticky). To save you looking it up this is what it says: -
There is a recall on SOME 220 series S class and 215 CL class instrument clusters in the UK.

In the US the recall was by build dates -all cars built between 200x to 200y. In all about 36,000 had to be changed. Yipes!

The UK instrument clusters are different. There is a recall in UK but it is for 3 faulty batches which are not date-related but can be isolated from the VIN numbers. Ask your dealer. They check the VIN with Mercedes. Several postings here and there suggest they are being very generous under goodwill as well to cars not strictly in the recall.

Before anyone gets too upset, you should see the amazing number of recalls by Toyota, that paragon of reliability. Or try my Dell computer which has now had new hard drives 5 times in one year.

Here is the alldat link where the recall is posted: -

http://www.alldata.com/tsb/Mercedes-...04A/index.html


Here is the link to one of the main US threads: -
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...l-s-class.html
And here's a link to details of the recall on another UK site
http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=32065

 

[M6AJJ]

Yes definitely contact your dealer. Mine went out two years ago, and changing fuses made no difference at all.

Replacement cost £880 and a weeks wait whilst new one delivered from factory.

Just before Chrisrmas received the letter from MB stating that there was a recall. They reimbursed me in full.

So "go for it"

 

[harrysohal]

S430 dashboard display

Mercedes Benz Whitefield (Manchester) insist there has been no recall. Can you please confirm that your vehicle was an S430 1998/9? Or point in the right direction for more info on this? Thanks for all your help.

 

[Blobcat]

Here is the thread;

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=24232

 

[hawk20]

Mercedes Benz Whitefield (Manchester) insist there has been no recall. Can you please confirm that your vehicle was an S430 1998/9? Or point in the right direction for more info on this? Thanks for all your help.

They are definitely wrong on this one. See the link from Blobcat. Also huge recall in US.

 

[jberks]

Aren't dealers great.
I mentioned the SBC quieten down kit and they denied any knowledge.

 

[hawk20]

Aren't dealers great.
I mentioned the SBC quieten down kit and they denied any knowledge.

Me too. What is it please?

 

[Blobcat]

Me too. What is it please?

A modification to make the Senstronic Brake Control quieter, your OK as you don't have it.

 

[hawk20]

A modification to make the Senstronic Brake Control quieter, your OK as you don't have it.

Many thanks.

 

[harrysohal]

S430 Dashboard illumination

First of all a big thank you to all those who gave advice and pointers to more info. Really appreciated. Mercedes have now checked my car and confirmed the instrument cluster is faulty but is not one of the serial numbers which were recalled. Cost of replacement to be around £800 +. Anybody have any ideas about cheaper repair option? Vehicle is a 1999 model S430.

 

[hawk20]

First of all a big thank you to all those who gave advice and pointers to more info. Really appreciated. Mercedes have now checked my car and confirmed the instrument cluster is faulty but is not one of the serial numbers which were recalled. Cost of replacement to be around £800 +. Anybody have any ideas about cheaper repair option? Vehicle is a 1999 model S430.

Sorry to nitpick but was this the same dealer who wrongly told you there had been no recall, or was it someone from Mercedes. If the latter I am surprised as they appear from other threads to have been good about replacing faulty ones especially in the US. If it was not Mercedes I would still be tempted to contact Mercedes and see what they will do. It should not fail should it?

 

[television]

I too have looked at this a couple of times and I am horrified that such a thing could happen, it the lamp control unit is faulty why cant they supply the small part, they are easy to fit

 

[jberks]

Its a very common failure and can be fixed quite easily. Still not cheap but a lot less than a new cluster.
see
http://www.bba-reman.com/catalogue/DetailedProduct.aspx?DetailedProduct=559

To re-quote myself .....

 

[M6AJJ]

If you are sure that your car is not covered by the re call, (Check with another dealer) then follow this link.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-S-E-...5QQihZ005QQcategoryZ10398QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Cost £200.

Best of luck.