W210 Instrument Cluster Dismantle

[Bluegrass]

I dismantled my instrument cluster today to fix the temp display pixilation by soldering new wires between the LCD and the circuit board.

Unfortunately there is no way to solder anything to the LCD.I now don't have either the temp nor clock display working.

I thought to post some pictures in case it helps anyone.

 

[television]

Normally you would leave the display in situ and pack out the rear of the ribbon contacts with rubber wedges / blocks

 

[turbopete]

is that from a facelifted model? theyre probably similar in the back but the dials etc look different to mine!

 

[Bluegrass]

I did try putting the wedge both just over the ribbon and then packing foam on the rear but it didn't make a difference.

The car is a 2000/2001 model on an X plate.

 

[turbopete]

must be a facelift then. mines a 99 v plate model!

 

[John472]

If it might be of help, I know a man who can fix your instruments.
He did a W210 unit for a friend of mine and is reliable.

He is on ebay. Look for user delboy555.
Cost is 120.00 pounds including return postage.

 

[Bluegrass]

Thanks John472 for the info.

I found him in Ebay and will call him.

I've ordered some conductive adhesive to try the repair myself first. I'm thinking of using ribbon cable from a computer drive.The difficult part is connecting it to the LCD hence the conductive adhesive.

Will let everyone know how it goes once I receive the adhesive.

 

[John472]

Something else you could try is cleaning the PCB contacts with a mild abrasive paste to remove oxidation. This works well but remember to clean any remaining away, after using T Cut or solvsol autosol or similar

The PCB ribbon connections are not a good idea in cars which are subject to large swings in temperature an humidity. Mercedes should never have used this method of connection. It would have been much more reliable to use multipin plugs and sockets.

If the ribbon is corroded is is difficult to repair. A new ribbon would be favourite if you can get hold of some.

John

 

[television]

You could solder wires (thin) to the end of the ribbon and solder this direct to the board,,£120 is very expensive to do the job, it does not take long

 

[Bluegrass]

Thanks Malcolm and John472 for the advise.

Whilst waiting for the adhesive I'll try the soldering.

Yes £120 is very expensive but it's £30 less than the £150 wanted by http://www.speedofixer.co.uk/pixels.html.

 

[television]

Thanks Malcolm and John472 for the advise.

Whilst waiting for the adhesive I'll try the soldering.

Yes £120 is very expensive but it's £30 less than the £150 wanted by http://www.speedofixer.co.uk/pixels.html.

Why not replace the whole ribbon with a wired version

 

[Bluegrass]

Malcolm I tried your suggestion of soldering the cable to the ribbon yesterday but the ribbon melts so it didn't work.

I soldered computer ribbon to the board and used strong tape to connect to the LCD,but because the ribbon is too stiff it pulls away once the LCD is in place.

I'm having difficulty finding a replacement for the ribbon.I tried Maplins with no luck.

 

[Profuminif]

have a 210 myself with LCD problems,

i see you mentioned in thepost above about conductive glue

how about this product?

http://www.intek-uk.com/condepox.htm

a dab of this under each connection may do the job

Simon

 

[television]

have a 210 myself with LCD problems,

i see you mentioned in thepost above about conductive glue

how about this product?

http://www.intek-uk.com/condepox.htm

a dab of this under each connection may do the job

Simon

That could solve his problems

 

[Bluegrass]

Thanks television,

I just received this and will try it tomorrow.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230338944500&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123

 

[Bluegrass]

Unfortunately my project wasn't successful.

I'm using computer ribbon which is too stiff to stick to the LCD display properly. The digits are faint.

To add to my problems I dropped the main LCD (the mileage display) and the top of the mileage is cropped.