The probe wouldn't cause a screen blackout, it most likely is the LCD head...yep around $200/$250...unless you can find a second hand cluster and use that.

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00' C230K
88' 190E 2.3
79' 280CE (Sold)
84' 300SD
73' 450SE
93' 300E
68' VW Bug (what the hell was I thinking!)
99' HD FLSTF