Instrument cluster failure?

[mrbon]

The gear display and clock in my 2000 clk230k seems to have sections missing which means it is unreadable, like the pixels arent working.

Is there anything i can do to fix this problem?

I think something is loose or has a bad connection as i can give the display a whack and it will be fine for a while before going off again!

Help!

 

[Shude]

any similar to this?

http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=11823

 

[mrbon]

yeah exactly the same but on the clock, rather than spend hundreds on a new cluster, can i just remove it and take it to an LCD specialist etc to get it repaired?

 

[Shude]

yeah exactly the same but on the clock, rather than spend hundreds on a new cluster, can i just remove it and take it to an LCD specialist etc to get it repaired?

You already tried a hammer?

I dropped my phone and the whole LED display went dead, squeezed the casing a bit and it came back! Good old Nokia! Maybe the same thing inside the cluster?

 

[mrbon]

ha ha, actually i have hit it s few times and it came back for a while, just not practical to punch the dash everytime i get in the car!!!

There must be an easier way to fix it?

This guy fixed a similar problem himself (long/BMW):http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=190146&highlight=obc+missing

 

[Shude]

ha ha, actually i have hit it s few times and it came back for a while, just not practical to punch the dash everytime i get in the car!

So it's a loose connection then? You could try taking it apart, or it's about £350 for a new one but it'll have to be programmed for your car.

 

[mrbon]

Yeah but im sure ill cause more than £350 worth of damage just getting it out!!!

Will try it actually, it wont need reprogramming if i disconnect mine will it?

 

[mrfiepro]

The fault is more than likely to be the connector on the back of the LCD. I have fixed a number of these units. If you strip the cluster down to it's basic components you will see the connections in question. But be aware stripping the cluster down is very fiddly and you can cause more damage if you are not very careful.

Always remember to turn the needles against the end stops to remove. If you have decided to buy another cluster anyway you have nothing to lose, alternatively if you want me to have a look at it just PM me.

PS if you want the MB cluster removal tools, I have a friend who can get them for £15. Removing the cluster is very easy and you are unlikley to do any damage. Also disconnecting it is fine.

Ta

 

[mrbon]

Oh will the full cluster need dismatling then, or will just removing the cluster itself allow me access?

I dont want to start removing the needles etc!

All this trouble for such a tiny problem!

 

[mrfiepro]

To gain access to the connector the cluster need to be removed and stripped down.