Seems that I've acquired an electrical problem that the dealer can't find. (not giving any error code messages even when the instruments aren't operating).
The following instrument cluster components on my 1997 C230 don't operate "sometimes" i.e. sometimes they do,and sometimes they don't.
Its random as far as I can tell.
The speedomer goes to "0", The tach goes to "0" but like "vibrates when the motor is running. The Fuel gauge goes to "E", Engine Temp gauge doesn't work or function. The Odometer continues to operate as normal, and no other electrical devices like the radio or lighting etc is affected, including the dash lighting. The local Benz dealership has gotten me for about 4 hours already, and at 60 per hour, I'd like to get some direction before I let them look further. They've ripped the cluster out, replaced all the lights on the cluster, and it still doesn't work. (sometimes it does work but not at any specific time), for instance, sometimes in the morning when I fire her up to go to work, everything works fine, if I stop for gas on the way to work, then "no cluster" when I start it up again. Sometimes no cluster when i first start it up, and then it fails to operate when I turn it off and back on again. It has never stopped working while I'm driving along, only if I turn the car off and then back on again, whether its hot or cold, doesn't seem to matter. I've also opened all the windows while the car was in my garage, and ran a dehumidifier for a few days, (thinking it might be moisture), but no effect either way. Any guesses out there. OH one final thing which I think and I told the Idiots at the dealership, sometimes the Throttle body clatters after I shut her down (like its not able to reset itself), but the mechanic said that had nothing to do with the electrical problem I'm experiencing (although there is a wire connected to it, perhaps (I thought it might not be resetting some switch or something).. A new Throttle body is over 500 and before I drop that kind of cash on a "maybe", i'd like to get the thoughts of others. Thanks in advance because surely any help would be appreciated.
This all happens when I start the car.