dash not working in clk200 w209

[steveg82]

has anyone experienced problem with dash in clk - i have a 2004 clk200 -

the dash has totally failed nothing whatsoever works on it, no lighting nothing at all, it is totally dead -

car starts on the button drives fine, radio works, indicators work lights work everything works exept the dash, any ideas??

many thanks

 

[brigadier]

Did you check the fuses?

 

[steveg82]

i did yes not that but thanks

 

[steveg82]

surely someone on here has experienced a similar problem? ir is it actually that rare

 

[steveg82]

Just an update , hoping it can throw light on the situation, i was re checking fuses , i removed the fuse for the instrument cluster and when i put it back in the cluster momentarily lit up only to go baack out again, repeated process but no more joy, still no dash??? im thinking maybe a loose connection somewhere?

 

[steveg82]

hi brigadier, i was just re checkin fuses, removed the fuse no 42 for the instrument cluster gave it a wipe and clean and when i puut it back in the instrument cluster momentarily lit up, but undortunately went back out, any ideas? i wiggled it and pushed it and stuff but no more joy, im wondering if maybe theres a loose connection somwhere? thanks again

 

[rjv]

Rjv

Hi Just today I have exactly the same problem!!!!
I called my friend. Trev the Mercman, he warned me it might be a new cluster at about £500!!!!!!!! I tried removing the battery earth for a while, checked fuse 42 etc. He said its regular and not just on CLK200 Conv AMG which is our model. If I get the answer tomorrow when I call at his place I will let you know.

 

[rjv]

Also I wondered if all that rain we've had may have got into the works, but you'd expect a fuse to pop!!!

 

[steveg82]

Hi rjv, yes i fear this, im taking it tomorrow to specialist, i have also checked fuses etc and all is fine, so yes im fearing its cluster gone, however am hoping somethin can be tomorrow via maybe a reset, ive also heard froom other guys that a new battery can solve it, so i will also get my battery checked, but yes likewise i will let you know what i find out, all the best steve

 

[steveg82]

i was too thinking it maybe rain, as i rarely use mine, maybe once a fortnight, if that! so yes i was thinking maybe some damp has got in somewhere,? but all fuses fine, however, whilst fiddling with fuse 42 it did momentarily light up, so im thinking possibly fuse related, oh i dont know could be anything - im very surprised that it would appear no one else has experience of this, as you will see by the lack of advice form others

 

[steveg82]

call me to discuss this more thouroughly, 07758 983 333, much easier than typing, id like to compare the problems, as 3 other problem which went when the dash did

 

[ucr]

disconnect your battery for 24 hours

9 out 10 times this will sort it

 

[steveg82]

yes i have tried this and to no avail, ive heard removing cluster and re connecting can do it, however i dont have the tool so i will get specialiast to try that before we go any further, ive also heard it can be battery related, my battery hasnt been changed since the car was new, however the car starts fine and drives fine, so i would think if it was battery related the car wouldnt start, anyway ill explore this avenue also toimorrow, thanks for help

 

[steveg82]

oh sorry, not disconnected for 24 hours, i done it for half hour - ill disconnect it now

 

[Dryce]

How old is your battery?

I had the same problem in my W211 a couple of weeks back after the car had been left for a couple of nights without being run and we'd had the first low overnight temperatures of this autumn.

The engine still started and the car could be driven but the instrument cluster was dead.

Battery was 7 and half years old.

I switched the battery and it's been fine since.

 

[steveg82]

hi , yes im praying it is only the battery, i have a plan tomorrow to first investigate the battery if its not that straight to garage for star, ill let you know tomorrow , and battery is mercedes supplied and 7 years old too, thanks

 

[steveg82]

my car however starts on the button and shows no sign of battery dying , i will however check

 

[Dryce]

my car however starts on the button and shows no sign of battery dying , i will however check

So did mine.

I checked the battery with my meter and it was showing just on 12V with the engine off. Car started fine though.

Do you have another car with a good battery that you can temporarily swap to see if things come back to life?

 

[steveg82]

Hi there, i do yes, once rain has stopped im going to explore that avenue, i will of course let you know the outcome!

 

[Dryce]

Hi there, i do yes, once rain has stopped im going to explore that avenue, i will of course let you know the outcome!

If you do disconnect the battery it would be worth doing a search on the web or the forum to see if there are any quirks that need to be dealt with after you've reconnected - eg. on the W211 you may have to turn the steering from lock to lock to reset the steering angle sensor and also cycle the electric windows.