Dead Instrument Cluster

[smg3333]

I have a 55 plate W211 and intermittently have the following problem :

Insert ignition key and turn to I then II and everything powers on ok.

Turn the key and engine ignition and the instrument cluster completely goes off as well as the climate control and the comand system.

If you stop the engine, remove the key and start again it generally all comes up ok.

The local Mercedes dealer says it is something to do with the communication between the ignition barrell unit and the system ( EIS ? ECU ?? ) ad is £150 for the STAR disgnistic and maybe £600 plus £600 for the fix - OUCH !!

Any ideas or suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

[shorty]

It sounds like there could be a bad connection in a CAN bus bar . There is on located behind the plastic panel that joins the bottom of the dash with the carpet on the drivers side

 

[smg3333]

Is this something I can have a look for and re-seat any connections ?

 

[shorty]

it would be worth a quick look , some times the pins can corrode and give bad connections . Make sure to release the locking rail from the back of the bar before trying to remove any connections

 

[scoman]

Same problem on 55 plate CLK 200

I have recently purchased a 200 CLK sports (2 months ago) From a local MB dealer in Beaconsfield, it has produced the exact same problem as described twice in 2 months, its back at garage now as last event didnot clear and was towed in under mobilo support.
The dealer now tells mre that there is no fault - no evidence of any fault so refuse to do anything, apparently there is no fault codes in memory.
hearing about your problem and the reply sounds like a common fault, any ideas how to get a MB dealer to take it serious, there comment is drive it untill it happens and stays faulty!

 

[alexander patie]

hello scoman, have you got two keys? if so, does it do it with both?

 

[scoman]

Thanks good point
Short answer yes do have 2 keys but I only tried one so I don't know.
when I get car back will check that out next time, (but hopefully they will fix it, so there shouldn,t be a next time). its just that intermittant faults will always happen at most inconvienant time and usaually get worse.
Dealer has just got back and said - " we have never seen this before and we have driven the car over lots of bumbs and works fine !!"

 

[scoman]

possible resolution ?

After making a call to MD of local daeler - he arranged for car to be retested over a few days, got the car back end of last week and they have identified a problem with the instrument console - apprently a small numbe probably batch related have exhibited this proble, they agreed with MB to replace instrument cluster and they beleive this should resolve the problem.
The also commented that there are normally two possible causes for this type of behavoir in loss of instrument panel - The instrument cluster or course connection issues on KAN bus.
Many Thanks for your coments -
Hopefully my issue is resolved.
perhaps similar action needed to resolve SMG3333's issue!