Cluster Mods 2- No star Machine required!

[R2D2]

I discovered today how to make the car display the following displays.

Battery Voltage
Chassis Number
Dyno Mode ESP off
Oil required to top up
Vehicle details

Best off all, this bit of cluster info doesn't need a Star machine.

Photos here: Under post Cluster Mods 2.
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=454413#post454413

 

[whitenemesis]

So, how's it done?

 

[DansSlk]

Normally R button X3 at power on.

 

[DansSlk]

R2, on that car details pic switch on your ignition.

Much better oil level display

 

[R2D2]

Dyno mode: This has been discussed but not posted before on the grounds of safety.

SO HERE IS A BIG DISCLAIMER. IF YOU TURN OF ESP AND DAMAGE YOUR CAR OR ARE STUPID ENOUGH TO LEAVE IT OFF ON THE ROAD AND THEN CRASH AND KILL DOZENS OF PEOPLE YOU ARE TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE.

TURNING OFF YOUR ESP ON THE ROAD WILL INVALIDATE YOUR INSURANCE.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. SO DON'T DO IT WHEN NOT ON A DYNO!



W203 Prefacelift.
1. To start, the key must be removed from the ignition.
2. Insert the key and turn to position 1.
3. Immediately press and hold the trip odometer reset button until the instrument cluster beeps. There is no visual message, only an audio beep. Be patient, this takes around 40 seconds.
4. Press the lower menu button (it looks like two sheets of paper, the one with the writing in the background behind the blank one)
5. Press the up arrow button.
6. Press the "+" sign to disable the Traction System (turn "ON" test mode)
7. Start the engine, the traction system is now disabled.

For 2004-2007 models:
1) place key in position 1
2) toggle through menus until you are at the trip odometer (overall mileage)
3) press the reset button 3x's in a row
4) Instrment Cluster should beep and show the battery voltage
5) Use page buttons to switch to dynometer test screen
6) scroll up to highlingt ON for dyno/test mode

 

[DansSlk]

I just want to echo that warning.

It shuts off all aspects of ESP that includes BAS and ABS, its normally used on a dyno that does not drive the front wheels or on a brake test rig.

If you switch off the ignition with dyno mode on it will always display the dyno page when the power is switched on so you really can't just forget to turn ESP on again, also you will get ABS warning lights and messages informing you that the traction systems are in test mode and unavailable with it active.

 

[crockers]

The only one of real interest to me is how much oil to add..................the rest is interesting but to me of little use..

 

[R2D2]

Battery Condition and Dyno mode are both really useful!

 

[Silestanix]

I'm gonna 'favourite' this seeing as I'm looking to get rid of my Broken Motor Worthless 5 series to get a C-Class...!

 

[Colin_b]

I'm gonna 'favourite' this seeing as I'm looking to get rid of my Broken Motor Worthless 5 series to get a C-Class...!

Those BMWs were excellent cars - I had a 530 V8, did 175,000 miles while I owned it, never broke (its stilll chugging around Carlisle at at least 250,000 miles.and 13 years old)

And the computer would tell you fuel consumption in litres/hour and other pointless bits of information that amused me while stuck in traffic

 

[Stratman]

As in Blighty we speak of pints, occasionally litres, but not quarts could it be that the 'oil to fill' is for the American market? If it is then bear in mind that their puny quart is 20% smaller (32 floz/40floz) than our mighty British measure.
You wouldn't want to overfill your engine.

 

[timskemp]

Just to add to the warnings about Dyno mode - for those who like to have a bit of fun on the way to getting replacement tyres, bear in mind the EBD is also disabled and the brakes without it are hugely front biased, this means huge burnouts with just a smidge of left foot, to the point that it will push the car forwards with the front wheels locked and that visit to replace 2 worn rear tyres becomes a visit to replace 2 worn rears and 2 flatspotted fronts.

I suggest no one asks how I know this . . .

 

[Alfie]

Just to add to the warnings about Dyno mode - for those who like to have a bit of fun on the way to getting replacement tyres, bear in mind the EBD is also disabled and the brakes without it are hugely front biased, this means huge burnouts with just a smidge of left foot, to the point that it will push the car forwards with the front wheels locked and that visit to replace 2 worn rear tyres becomes a visit to replace 2 worn rears and 2 flatspotted fronts.

I suggest no one asks how I know this . . .

Come on...how do you know this?

 

[R2D2]

Found some more changes

One day I'll stop pressing buttons!

 

[colinallcars]

^^^ Can you get the temperature display instead of km/h without the Star machine?

 

[R2D2]

^^^ Can you get the temperature display instead of km/h without the Star machine?

No thats a star job -but it is essential!

 

[colinallcars]

I asked my local dealer about changing the km/h to temperature but was told that it was a 'safety' feature. Anyone know of someone in the Glasgow area who can do this?

 

[crockers]

I asked my local dealer about changing the km/h to temperature but was told that it was a 'safety' feature. Anyone know of someone in the Glasgow area who can do this?

Typical dealer talk for "I don't know how to do it..".....

 

[kjay]

With my (smaller than standard) steering wheel at the most comfortable height, I can't see all of the speedo without ducking my head.
Can the digital readout which displays KMH be changed to MPH ?
And is this a Star job.

 

[timskemp]

I believe it is a requirement for all cars sold in the EU to have a km/h speedo (but not m/h) hence the permanent km/h display in the cluster - there are no secondary markings on the dial like most cars.