C230 dash LCD display

The mileage and temp display segments on my daughters car seem to go off and on. Is this a simple fix or and expensive replacement.

Thanks Harry

Reply to
Harry Graham
Loading thread data ...

baby, born dead Large bunch of mustard greens

2 white onions, 1 cup chopped celery Vegetable oil (or hog fat) Salt, pepper, garlic, etc.

Lightly brown onions, celery, garlic and meat in large heavy pot. Add a little water and the greens (which should be thoroughly cleaned and washed). Smother slowly for at least 2 hours, adding small amounts of water when it starts to stick. Stir frequently. When ready - serve with rice, grilled smoked sausage, green salad, and iced tea. Coffee and apple pie then brandy.

Maternity Ward Pot Luck Dinner

If you can?t get anything fresh from the hospital, nursery, or morgue; you can at least get rid of all the leftovers in your refrigerator.

1 - 2 lbs. cubed meat (human flesh, chicken, turkey, beef...) 1 -2 lbs. coarsely chopped vegetables (carrots, potatoes, turnips, cauliflower, cabbage...) Bell pepper onions garlic ginger salt pepper, etc. Olive oil butter

Brown the meat and some chopped onions, peppers, and garilic in olive oil, place in baking dish, layer with vegetables seasoning and butter. Bake at 325° for 30 - 45 minutes. Serve with hot dinner rolls, fruit salad and sparkling water.

Bébé Buffet 1

Show off with whole roasted children replete with apples in mouths - and babies? heads stuffed with wild rice. Or keep it simple with a hearty main course such as st

Reply to
Harry Graham

The mileage and temp display segments on my daughters car seem to go off and on. Is this a simple fix or and expensive replacement.

Thanks Harry

Reply to
Harry Graham

If the display darkens (background *and* numerals), it could be the backlight(s) for the LCD display. LCDs are variable filters which must be illuminated from behind to actually display anything. The lamps used are typically like the 1.5 watt bulb seen at the bottom of this page (Osram bulb with beige plastic base $1.58 each, as what my CLK uses):

formatting link
If they are the culprit, they are accessed from the backside of the instrument panel. I meant to take and post some pics and details of my CLK's instrument cluster when I had it out, but have not had time (sorry).

Basically, if the steering wheel can be moved down or extended, do so... the extra clearance makes it easier to work on the panel. Next, two hooked removal tools (available from Mercedes or can be made from stiff wire) are inserted between the dash padding and the cluster, one each at the ten o'clock and two o'clock positions, they are then rotated, and the instrument cluster can be pulled out:

formatting link
You may have two electrical cables on the back... one on each side. When the instrument cluster is out enough to gain access, slip the (gray?) retainer down and pivot out the connector, do the same for the other side and the dash will come right out. You'll see a bunch of lamps on the back side. Replace the ones that are behind the problem display. Of course it may just be a loose connector (less likely, IMO), but the cluster would also have had to been removed to reseat them.

Reassembly is a snap. Put the cluster back near the opening, re-insert the cables and pop their retainers back up, then push the cluster back into the opening... voila... finis!

Sounds tough, but the whole shebang can be done in well under an hour the first time through it... if you ever need to do it again for other lamps, you'll be able to do it in fifteen minutes or less (hey, you're a pro now!)

DISCLAIMERS:

IF YOU FEEL AT ALL UNCOMFORTABLE DOING THIS, THEN DON'T!!!!

ALSO: THIS MAY *NOT* BE THE ROOT OF YOUR PROBLEM!!!

Cheers,

Paul (who used to be a gearhead, but even as an old goat, still likes to get his knuckles dirty every now and then)

---

formatting link
---

Reply to
Paul Hyndman

If the display darkens (background *and* numerals), it could be the backlight(s) for the LCD display. LCDs are variable filters which must be illuminated from behind to actually display anything. The lamps used are typically like the 1.5 watt bulb seen at the bottom of this page (Osram bulb with beige plastic base $1.58 each, as what my CLK uses):

formatting link
If they are the culprit, they are accessed from the backside of the instrument panel. I meant to take and post some pics and details of my CLK's instrument cluster when I had it out, but have not had time (sorry).

Basically, if the steering wheel can be moved down or extended, do so... the extra clearance makes it easier to work on the panel. Next, two hooked removal tools (available from Mercedes or can be made from stiff wire) are inserted between the dash padding and the cluster, one each at the ten o'clock and two o'clock positions, they are then rotated, and the instrument cluster can be pulled out:

formatting link
You may have two electrical cables on the back... one on each side. When the instrument cluster is out enough to gain access, slip the (gray?) retainer down and pivot out the connector, do the same for the other side and the dash will come right out. You'll see a bunch of lamps on the back side. Replace the ones that are behind the problem display. Of course it may just be a loose connector (less likely, IMO), but the cluster would also have had to been removed to reseat them.

Reassembly is a snap. Put the cluster back near the opening, re-insert the cables and pop their retainers back up, then push the cluster back into the opening... voila... finis!

Sounds tough, but the whole shebang can be done in well under an hour the first time through it... if you ever need to do it again for other lamps, you'll be able to do it in fifteen minutes or less (hey, you're a pro now!)

DISCLAIMERS:

IF YOU FEEL AT ALL UNCOMFORTABLE DOING THIS, THEN DON'T!!!!

ALSO: THIS MAY *NOT* BE THE ROOT OF YOUR PROBLEM!!!

Cheers,

Paul (who used to be a gearhead, but even as an old goat, still likes to get his knuckles dirty every now and then)

---

formatting link
---

Reply to
Paul Hyndman

formatting link

Reply to
Harry Graham

Not to belabor the point, but you may not be aware that there are three lamps behind this display. One for the left (Temperature), center (Trip Odometer and Odometer), and right (Clock). The numbers for any section (is this what you are referring to as a segment?) will be washed out or even completely invisible if the associated back light is not working (the other "segments" will appear normal). The back lights do not merely provide background light "splashed" on the display, but are what actually makes the numbers "glow". No light, no numbers for that segment!

The sections you mentioned ("the mileage and temp display segments") are controlled by the left and center backlamps (two bulbs). They are filament style bulbs (not LEDs) and if they are loose or damaged, the results would be the symptoms you described.

Just a little food for thought!

Cheers,

Paul

---

formatting link
---

Reply to
Paul Hyndman

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.