Replacing/repairing parktronic display?

[gramey]

Not being familiar with having parktronic on any of my previous Mercedes whilst I thought the display on th SL350 I bought looked a little out of place I didn't know any difference. Apparently the indicators are supposed to be either side of the clock but a previous owner has fitted a similar display that sits forward of the clock close to the windscreen. You can see it just ahead of the original clock and vents.

Now I know it's not correct it's going to irk me until such time as I get it fixed so does anybody know why this may have been fitted, are the original displays prone to packing up? Also does anyone know if it's likely to be a difficult job to reinstate the correct display.

I assume that given the after market display fitted must get it's signal from the sensors as the original did that hopefully it won't be too big a wiring job but the original connector may have been cut off.

 

[peterws1957]

Parktronic was an option iirc, so might not the whole system be aftermarket? Check the VIN to see if it came on the car originally.

 

[gramey]

Parktronic was an option iirc, so might not the whole system be aftermarket? Check the VIN to see if it came on the car originally.

I've done just as you suggested, and it wasn't ordered with parktronic so the whole thing must be aftermarket. It also showed that it should have keyless go but there was no card with the car.
Personally I'm not bothered I shall try and ensure the module is removed as I'm told you can't get replacement cards for them anymore.
Ideally though I'd like to lose the extra display thing on the dash.