E320 CDI W210 Dash problems

[Grumpy]

Anyone had a problem with the dash. My gear indicator and temperature display both have pixels missing and my ? Check Engine? light does not illuminate when the ignition is at position 2. I have taken the dash out and the bulb is fine. Any ideas please.

 

[reefer]

hi

havent got those problems..yet!
but sometimes my dash slowly disappears from the bottom upwardsw over a few hours (long journey), once it almost went alltogether!
i dont even wanna know the price of a new one
but if anyone knows what the problem is/is going to be it would be good

ta

 

[OlafMaxwell]

Ouch...this sounds like another in the long list of dodgy problems that are being covered up.

But could be battery related? Or problems related to auto selector lever wiring?

Cant help any more though, but now you have me worried.

 

[Arnie]

Dead LCD pixels (if not working in a complete row or column) are mostly caused by poor contacts between the LCD panel and the carbon-filled-foam contact pads, which transmit the signals. Usually, just moving them a little or gently heating with a hairdryer (with the instrument cluster removed and partly dismantled) will restore things.

 

[jberks]

Dead LCD pixels (if not working in a complete row or column) are mostly caused by poor contacts between the LCD panel and the carbon-filled-foam contact pads, which transmit the signals. Usually, just moving them a little or gently heating with a hairdryer (with the instrument cluster removed and partly dismantled) will restore things.

Ok all,
mine is driving me mad now so I need to do something about it. Anyone tried the above?
Also
Is it possible to remove the binnacle from the car on a 210 (without a tilting steering wheel) without removing the steering wheel itself (I'm a bit nervous of airbags and button contacts etc - is this dificult?).

If I could get the cluster out fairly easily I am willing to give this a go, but I don't want to make things worse and without a manual detailing how to get the cluster out, I am a bit lost. - it looks like it would foul on the wheel to me.
Any guidance greatly appreciated.
thanks.
JB

 

[jberks]

I take it no one has attempted this then?

 

[pascal]

Don't have a 210, but all I can add is, Disconnect battery before attempting because if your SRS bulb gets disconnected accidently, it will have to be reset at MB.

So JB, it looks like you are going to be the guinea pig here:-(


Pascal

 

[jberks]

Thanks Pascal, will do. Started to have a go at the weekend but bottled out. might get a little more adventurous next weekend. I used to do this type of thing quite happily when I had Fords but haven't attempted much in the way of DIY since I started running Mercs. Its that or trade it in for a W211 - not sure which is riskier!

 

[pascal]

I've taken one out of a W124 non adjustable wheel. It had a speedo cable that had to be removed first. I think it needed a bit of wiggling.

Think the 'thread softly' approach is best adhered here JB.

PS. I've been putting off doing it on my r129. Just the illumination on the fuel gauge to be replaced.

Pascal

 

[Grumpy]

Hi All
Sorry for the long delay. I removed the dash with the use of a 3mm thick and 30mm wide and 200mm long strip of steel. Move the steering wheel all the way down and out. If you slide this into the joint between the top of the dash and the facia at 11 and 1 o?clock you will feel the clips that secure the dash. Centralize the tool on one of these clips and give it a good thump with a mallet. Do the same on the other side. This will push back both clips. You can then gentle prise out the dash module with your fingers. Disconnect the 2 ?zero insertion? connectors by rotating the clip through 90deg and remove the dash. With the dash on a clean bench, start unclipping the front and back it to get to the circuit board. I couldn?t disassemble it further. You can see the ribbon connectors from the left and right alphanumeric displays as they connect to the PCB. This is where the problem is. I fixed mine by placing a 3mm strip of rubber 15 x 5 mm under the white plastic that pushes down the cable onto the PCB. I then used some green garden wire and wrapped it around the plastic and the other end through a hole in the PCB to pull these bits together more firmly to make a better connection. Then reassemble and try. Mine has been OK for some months. While it?s out check the dash bulbs!
I never replaced the clips, it seems to sit in the facia and not move about and I will be able to change a dash bulb a lot easier next time.

 

[jberks]

Thanks Grumpy.
I had a go at mine a few weeks ago and posted the pics on the thread, but I didn't try pushing the connectors down so I still have pixel problems.I was hoping to be able to strip out the connectors and clean the contacts, but I couldn't see how to strip it further than the board.
I managed to get mine out by simply pushing from behind and gently pulling from the front. If you've managed to get yours working I may give it another try.
cheers,
JB

 

[Toy]

Hi. Is my firstg time in the forum. I have a W210 E280. Had a backlight off in air con. Remove all fuses but were ok. Now I have no lights and no indication of gas, rpm, speed etc.. Everything is off. Is there a reset switch? Can anybody help?
Thanks