Broken odometer on a 1984 300SD
 

Hi,
I bought 2 repair manuals and neither one even mentions the odometer or how to get under the dashboard.
Does anyone have an idea how to troubleshoot this problem?
The speedometer still works aren't they on the same cable?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Danny

Well, first there is no cable. The 126 body cars have electronic speedos. From MBs standpoint your speedometer is broke. They only sell the unit. There are plenty of speedo shops that can fix your unit though.

speedo or odometer??
 

Hey, thanks for the reply but I did mention that the speedometer does work. It's the odometer, mileage counter, that is broken.

There is no cable for this?
Is this electronic too?

Thanks Danny

1.Do you hear a clicking sound from the odometer?
2.Are the numbers slanted to the right, meaning are the left 3 numbers higher than the right 3 numbers?
3.Are the numbers crooked - one high then 2 low for example?
4.Have you ever removed the instrument cluster before?
5.Does the Trip odometer still work?

You could also buy a used instrument cluster for cheap like this one for example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7930034761&category=33675

odometers
 

Hey,
NO, No, NO, I don't know I've only owned the car for about 3 months, No. :o

Everything looks normal except the main and trip odometers don't work and the backlight doesn't adjust.
Maybe I need a new instrument cluster?? Actually I should check the back of the one that's in there now. How do you get it out??

Thanks

Danny

Instrument Cluster
 

Remove the 2 bolts holding up the steering shaft so that the steering wheel will drop down and then remove the cluster either with 2 coat hanger tools or with your hands...after you remove the cluster you can remove the speedometer and maybe the gear that turns the odometer is just spinning and if it is it is fixable...email me when you get that far h16671836@yahoo.com Jim

This should help you:

http://instrument.articles.mbz.org/renew/

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/32102-how-remove-instrument-cluster.html?highlight=cluster

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/71691-lets-pull-instrument-cluster.html?highlight=instrument+cluster+removal

Thanks
 

You guys are great.

I'll give the coat hanger trick a try later.

Danny

found problem
 

Hey,
I took the cluster out and found the problem with my odometer and trip meter.
The smaller of the gears that's on the motor shaft is worn/broken.
I guess it would be too easy to replace the gear right?
Do I need a whole new instrument cluster??

Danny

Repaired IS
 

I have repaired a number of them and if you want just call me and I will tell you my proceedures. I just typed about 500 letters and lost all of it...my number is 812-897-0667....Jim