Instrument cluster E320 CDI

[ErikNI]

Can anyone advise me on how to remove the instrument cluster on my 2002 E320 CDI? The LCDs for outside temp and the clock appear to be faulty (unreadable), so I want to check if it's poor connections, or if the units can be replaced. Many thanks... ErikNI.

 

[Myros]

erik

a common problem. easier for you to search the site for this problem than for us to explain again. it can be done but fiddly is the opinion I think.

 

[ErikNI]

Thanks Myros. Much appreciated.

 

[television]

You need to dismantle the cluster and cut some small rubber / plastic wedges and push them in over the ribbon cale to force the contacts down onto the PCB

 

[Blobcat]

There are tools to push in either side of the display and pull it out. However many have found that these can crack the front of the display and therefore they push the display out from behind. There is a "How To" in the DIY section

 

[Blobcat]

Here is the how to.

 

[ErikNI]

Thanks to everyone for their help and advice. I now know exactly what to do, and how to do it, to fix my problem. Once again, a very big thanks to everyone who responded to me. Much appreciated.

 

[Blobcat]

Thanks to everyone for their help and advice. I now know exactly what to do, and how to do it, to fix my problem. Once again, a very big thanks to everyone who responded to me. Much appreciated.

No problem, it is what the forum is here for. Pls just let us know how you get on as too many threads get left not knowing the final outcome

 

[ErikNI]

Will do. Hope to tackle the job tomorrow, all being well. Once again, many thanks.

 

[Myros]

good advice

digital camera, lots of photos, or notebook and diagrams.
Don't rush, don't get huffy with anything that sticks, just work away at it slowly and gently and it will come your way.
Good luck.

 

[ErikNI]

Many moons ago, I posted a thread about how to remove the instrument cluster on a 2002 E320 CDI. I received a fantastic response, including pictures. To those who replied to me, I'm eternally grateful. Well, only today, I finally got around to doing it - and thanks to the replies I received, I was able to pop the instrument cluster out in a matter of seconds. Now, comes the difficult bit - I'm removing the cluster as the clock and temp displays are pixelated. Previous posts told me to cut rubber wedges and fit them against the ribbon cables, and this would solve the problem. Excellent. But now that I have the cluster out, and disassembled, I'm not exactly sure just where exactly I should fit the wedges. Should they be between the ribbon cables and the pcb, or between the cable and the LCD unit (although how you would get a wedge in there is beyone me. Has anyone got a photo of some wedges in place? Or can anyone explain to me in the simplest of terms, exactly where the wedges should go? Cheers... Erik.

 

[television]

The wedges must go in so that they push the ribbon cable wires down better to the PCB connections so the go between the casing of the connector and the top of the ribbon so they make a better contact

 

[ErikNI]

Pixelated 320 instrument cluster

Thanks Malcom. There is a factory-fitted pink rubber strip on the bottom of each of the two LCD housings, that press down on the ribbon cable, on each side of the instrument cluster. So I cut a 1.5mm thick neoprene strip to fit between the factory pink strip and the ribbon cable, to give extra pressure. I then plugged the cluster in, and switched on the ignition - but both time and temp displays are still pixelated. Any further suggestions are very welcome.

 

[television]

Then they are still not making a good connection they do need to be individual wedges, 1 on each wire

 

[Alex Crow]

has anyone ACTUALLY DONE THIS?? or is it one of those internet myths?

if someone has then it would be great to have a step-by-step with pictures for the forum, also if someone wanted to sell the wedges for even £10 each i am sure there would be takers.

 

[television]

has anyone ACTUALLY DONE THIS?? or is it one of those internet myths?

if someone has then it would be great to have a step-by-step with pictures for the forum, also if someone wanted to sell the wedges for even £10 each i am sure there would be takers.

Yes many have done this around the world we had many post during 07-08 on this. there are post on Benzworld with picture.

Actronics charge £80 plus vat this includes two new displays

 

[Myros]

I have done it

but with limited success. I completely blew the displays on the mem's, so had to have them fixed by the nice chap at Digidash. I was bit better with mine, and they are pixellated still, but less so than when i started, and at least i know what gear I'm in.
It's just because I'm ham-fisted, not because it can't be done.

 

[Alex Crow]

thanks guys. do you have any links malcolm?

 

[television]

thanks guys. do you have any links malcolm?

I will do my best to find them Sir

 

[ErikNI]

Pixelated LCDs

Thanks for all the advice, guys. Yeah, a photo of actual wedges in place would be extremely useful. Have signed up for Benzworld, to see if anyone has photos there.