Line(s) in gear indicator display

[mike_drake]

Hope someone out there can help me.

I have just purchased a 2000 W C220 CDI estate with automatic gearbox. It has just about all of the typical faults listed on this forum including intermittent BAS/ESP warning light, constant pull to the left, rusting wheel arches and a dodgy LCD display.

I'll deal with those problems one by one later. However, one thing I can't find an answer to on this forum or in the user and Haynes manuals, is what does a vertical line through the gear indicator represent. The line is bold and clear and runs right through the centre of the D, N, R or number from top to bottom.

A single line appeared a few days after I purchased the car. A few weeks later and a second, parallel line has appeared. I'm guessing it's a warning of impending doom. Any assistance will be gratefully received.

Thanks, Michael

 

[louisv6]

Not 100% sure I've understood your explanation, but sounds like the LCD is dodgy. As you've found, it's fairly common. I doubt it's anything to do with the actual gearbox. I'm sure others will correct me if I'm wrong!

 

[mike_drake]

Hi Louis. This doesn't look like the typical LCD fault but see what you think from the photos below. You can see the typical fault on the clock to the right. However, the two lines in the gear indicator are sharp and across several pixels. For a few weeks, there was just one single line, directly in the middle between the two current lines. Doesn't seem random enough to be an LCD fault but I may be wrong.

The photos show the indicator in drive, park and with the ignition off

 

[louisv6]

Definitely an LCD fault, rather than a 'warning' from the ECU, or an indication of gearbox trouble etc.

I wouldn't worry about it unless it bothers you, in which case you're into the replacement game.

All the best

L

 

[SilverSaloon]

there are companies that offer repair to this on ebay and in the back of merc enthusiast.

V-Diagnostics - Mercedes lcd Pixel Repairs

or a diy solution:

MBWorld.org Forums

 

[louisv6]

Oh by the way - always worth posting the model of C class you've got (in your case W202) - especially as I believe 2000 was a crossover year (not sure about the estate though), so your car *could* have been a w203. Will help the knowledgeable folk on here diagnose your problem a bit faster.

 

[mike_drake]

Thanks for your input guys. I will put it from my mind until I manage to get round to full LCD repairs. The gearbox actually seems to work very well.

The model is a rectangular headlight W reg 220 CDI so presumably W202. I was confused to receive my Haynes manual in the post today and on the first page under 'Models Covered', it says 'Does not cover ............. C200 diesel or CDI 220 diesel engines, or AMG versions'. The only other manual is for 2000-2007 X reg onwards which is presumably is W203. Does Haynes simply have a gap in coverage I wonder?

Thanks again for your help.