No lights,dashboard dead cl203

[Kaurinho]

hallo everyone. So my father got cl203 c220cdi and he experience now failures on dashboard,and no lights. So motor does start, it works,it drives etc. but nothing on dashboard, no turning signals,no lights..dead. Than all of sudden works everything again some time, than sometimes nothing again.. What could be the problem? A buddy from me said it could be the key lock, but it isn't any diy work.. Also thought it may be some fuse or relay, i told him to check every single one.. Any thoughts from you here? Thanks

 

[leonrsa]

I had a similar problem some time ago, and it turned out to be the key itself.
I found a loose connection on the cylindrical coil on the circuit board. (I dropped the key once too many times). After soldering, it worked fine, with instruments and lights working again!

 

[Kaurinho]

Thanks buddy. My father was drunk af and also threw his key. With another spare key it works just fine now. Just locking/unlocking does not work so he has to use 2 keys. I don't want too look it, change batt or something to remind him how stupid he was. Cheers buddy

 

[leonrsa]

Just a thought - If the key unlocks the doors the radio frequency circuit is fine. The circuit to unlock the steering and start the car is separate and uses an induction circuit from the car battery to energize when it is plugged in at the steering wheel. If the steering do not unlock the circuit is not being energized, and the cause, in my case, was that the induction coil had broken loose from the key from being dropped. It is easy to repair. On the attached photos take note of the blob of solder on one side of the coil, right at the corner of the pcb. Sometimes that is all that is needed to repair the key, so that both circuits (unlocking and starting) will function again.
When you find it in your heart to forgive him, and you have some soldering skills, you may want to attempt a repair.



I apologise for the blurry images

 

[Kaurinho]

Lol, thank you for your nice reply. No need to apologize for pics, they are just fine and I did understand what possible happened. I will do it as I come back home as I am currently way way away from him. I am pretty sure with my skills and your tips I should easily manage to repair the thing. Many thanks and have a nice day

 

[leonrsa]

You are welcome