CLK 230K Instrument Cluster Replacement

[Joreysdad]

Can anyone tell me if I put a brand new cluster in the car (I have read the forums and as long as I disconnect the battery this seems simple enough to do) do I have to have it re-programmed or will it be just a case of the speedo goes back to zero and I lose the information stored in the old unit?

The pixels in my teperature gauge have gone as do many and I have the opportunity of buying a cluster, jst need to know if I am still going to have to take it to a garage!

Chris Evans

 

[television]

Can anyone tell me if I put a brand new cluster in the car (I have read the forums and as long as I disconnect the battery this seems simple enough to do) do I have to have it re-programmed or will it be just a case of the speedo goes back to zero and I lose the information stored in the old unit?

The pixels in my teperature gauge have gone as do many and I have the opportunity of buying a cluster, jst need to know if I am still going to have to take it to a garage!

Chris Evans

The info from the old unit needs the data taking out, and put into the new unit, this is not only the miles ,etc, it is the calabration of all of the gauges.

Malcolm

 

[Joreysdad]

Many thanks Malcolm. As a point of interest to other members I have found a company after much searching that can re-condition the unit and offer a two year warranty - they are BBA-reman - took me ages to find them so this could help someone else out. They are quoting between 150 and 250 for the job, although of course your car is going to be off the road for a week to 15 days while they turn the unit around. Better than giving merc your hard earned cash methinks - disgraceful price they want and for a problem which is in my mind without doubt due to poor quality build.

 

[television]

Many thanks Malcolm. As a point of interest to other members I have found a company after much searching that can re-condition the unit and offer a two year warranty - they are BBA-reman - took me ages to find them so this could help someone else out. They are quoting between 150 and 250 for the job, although of course your car is going to be off the road for a week to 15 days while they turn the unit around. Better than giving merc your hard earned cash methinks - disgraceful price they want and for a problem which is in my mind without doubt due to poor quality build.

What happens on these things is the same that many of you over the years has more than likely seen for example on a calculator where the display shows goble de gouch if it has been dropped or squashed, slight pressure alters the read out. The actual display part on a LCD only makes contact through a pad, the fault can be brought about by large temperture swings, typical of what you would find in a car, at certain tempertures it will read OK and at others, it will not, there are better types of display like LED, that could have been used but the current consumption is higher, and even these can fail. MB are not alone with these problems.

Malcolm