W203 Instrument cluster now gone completely

[RoyalsMad2006]

Hi Folks

Have finally lost patience with my instrument cluster on 2002 W203 180K estate which had lost the top 5/6 lines of the display. Stripped out the cluster again to see if I could find the much talked of poor ribbon connection to the display and removed the silver connector to the back of the display retained by tiny black slide clips in the white connector. Having replaced the unit back in the fascia I have NO DISPLAY, NO SPEEDO, NO INDICATOR LIGHTS, NO REV COUNTER, NO FUEL GAUGE. ZIPPO. Although the car starts and runs okay and everything else works fine the headlights come on after a few seconds and will not go off. I really think that I have passed the point of no return. Does it mean a trip to MB for a re-set on their computer.

I await your expert comments

Thanks Chris

 

[jberks]

I've not heard of ribbon cable issues on the 203, that was normally a 210 issue. Anyway, totally dead sounds more serious than a reset to me.

I'd start by restripping the cluster to see if there was anything that wasn't as connected as you thought it was. Failing that, I suspect you've blown the cluster, in which case you're looking at repair or used (new will be ££££). It is a circuit board after all so a bit of stray static and its goodnight.

 

[RoyalsMad2006]

Thanks for your reply. I didn't think this was going to be easy but I will strip it out one more time as you suggest to see if there are any 'non connections'

Thanks again

Chris

 

[Xtractorfan]

I take it you have checked the connections are properly and tightly fixed, and havent come loose whislt refitting..

 

[RoyalsMad2006]

Yep, there is only one connection - a white handed connector with a rotating grey swivel lock catch on the back of the cluster but I will check it all again tomorrow.

Thanks to all and good night!

Chris

 

[RoyalsMad2006]

Thanks fellas, stripped out again and checked the connections one more time and re-assembled. You were right the display has come back on and everything works (all be it with the still missing top pixels) although I have the SRS warning light on. Does this mean a re-set to clear the light. I've decided to contact clusterrepairsuk.co.uk to effect the repair on the pixels as I'm bored withthis now.

Thanks for all your help guys.

Chris

 

[jberks]

yes regarding the SRS reset I'm afraid. When you switched on without the cluster active it tripped the srs alarm.
As I've said to others, at least you have cluster repair firms out there now. When the cluster went on my 210, there was nobody doing them so, after several failed attempts at fixing it mysefl, I just had to live with it.

 

[RoyalsMad2006]

Thanks

I'll get the SRS re-set after the cluster has been repaired.

Chris