My Instument Cluster Story - PICS! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TripWagner · #1 01-25-2008, 02:02 PM

Like many the dash lights on my 1983 240D were dim, and at times, temperamental. I also had the added issue of a WORKING clock that had dropped back into the dash ... So the saga begins!

First: THANKS to all on this forum for the write ups on instrument cluster removal, without your collective efforts I would have paid an arm & a leg for this fix.

Taking off the driver's side kick panel was not with out surprises, see the first pic of what I found ... Still have no idea what it is, but will get around to that later.

I then tried to contort my six foot, 240 pound frame under the dash to loosen all that needed to be loosened, had a premonition of Chiropractic bills, and removed the front seat instead. That was a TOTAL waste of time, as I later learned that everything but the speedo cable and the circular wire harness could be removed from above after sliding the cluster from it's nest. I use that word purposefully, 'cause that's all it is ... NO SCREWS, NO CLIPS, NO WIRE TIES, NO NOTHING!!! I did not fashion a wire hook, all slid out amazingly easily.

The oil line was daunting, but my fears were unfounded. I used a 13mm standard length open end wrench to anchor the large nut connected to the cluster and a stubby 10mm wrench to loosen the nipple nut. NO SWEAT!

I did take many pics along the way, just for some peace of mind ... It's a good idea to do same.

Once the cluster was out, I found out a couple of troubling things ...

The plastic screw towers that held the clock in place were ALL broken or missing, AND my speedo and odo are NOT ORIGINAL. A blue and silver sticker on the back of the speedo reads "The Benz Store Chamblee,GA (404)325-3966". I'm praying that the odo was not set back during the earlier restoration! BTW: Does anyone know if these folks are reputable???

Restoration Two then started in earnest ...

I soldered a bridge to bypass the troublesome panel light rheostat, replaced the burnt out "Reserve" bulb. Did this on the cheap by using a Sylvania "73" bulb and soldering it into the twist of bulb socket. Learned the hard way after paying $14 for 4 bulbs at the MB Dealer!!! Pulled and dusted every other working bulb. Also ran impedance tests on all the bulbs, all checked OK.

Then to address the night time visibility issue. I painted the small dash panel light coves in a metallic silver nail polish ... Thanks to my gorgeous Bride, and the painted all of the instrument needles with neon orange nail polish ... Thanks to my gorgeous daughter! See pics!

Now to the vexing problem with the broken/missing clock screw towers ... Take a chug of beer, 'cause I don't want to cause undo angst to the Purists among us ... I glued everything back together. Not proud of it, and a replacement cluster is in my future ... but need the car, and can't very well drive around getting a hot oil spritz until next the new cluster arrives.

Right now I'm getting high from the contact glue stench & need to get the front seat back in the car ... Stay tuned, hopefully will have some night time pics of my handiwork in the very near future!

TripWagner · #2 01-25-2008, 02:08 PM

Had a 5 picture limit on first post ... Here are a couple more snapshots.

jkoebel · #3 01-25-2008, 02:16 PM

That "no idea what it is" is the cruise control amplifier. It looks to me like someone removed and replaced it but couldn't get it back up into the (very difficult) mounting location.

vstech · #4 01-25-2008, 02:20 PM

that silver box in the first pic looks like a cruise control amp.
on mine, I glued the screw sockets back together with epoxy, I can take mine back apart!!
the odometers are so easy to repair/set back/set forward, that I completely ignore odo claims, I insist on FULL maintenance records with vin stamps on the records, or I assume it's Bull $h1^ safest to go by vehicle condition rather than odo anyway.
the black button Oil/temp/fuel cluster combined with the silver button clock and speedo, are the first clue that all is not stock!
those PRISTINE clean white odometer numbers are the second clue!
odds are good that the speedo was replaced with a 0000000 Odometer, god only knows what the correct mileage is for your car. it's POSSIBLE that the speedo was simply "repaired" by the company, but the fact that it has a silver button should mean it's from an 81 or older vehicle...

TripWagner · #5 01-25-2008, 04:03 PM

Got it all back together, looks good ... Not dark yet so can't give you an update on dash cluster brightness.

The oil gauge was initially really jerky, but seems to have smoothed out.

BIG PROBLEM: Have no speedometer

The Trip Meter & the Odometer work wonderfully, so I'd guess that the speedometer cable is installed right ... What does the two prong electrical hook up on the top of the speedometer do?

Any thoughts, Gentlemen?

TX76513 · #6 01-25-2008, 04:21 PM

If the speedometer does not work it could be either your speedometer head or the VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor). To test you would have to jack up the rear of car, rotate wheels and hook a voltage meeter to the VSS feed. You would be looking at for fluctuating voltage.

vstech · #7 01-25-2008, 05:32 PM

the 83 240 has a VSS?

westkill · #8 01-25-2008, 05:48 PM

did your speedometer needle slip down and now on the under side of the little rest in the cluster. If your odometer is working thats the only thing i can think of. hth mike

Shawn D. · #9 01-25-2008, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripWagner

The plastic screw towers that held the clock in place were ALL broken or missing, AND my speedo and odo are NOT ORIGINAL. A blue and silver sticker on the back of the speedo reads "The Benz Store Chamblee,GA (404)325-3966". I'm praying that the odo was not set back during the earlier restoration! BTW: Does anyone know if these folks are reputable???

I don't know them, but consider this: if they weren't reputable, would they label their handiwork? I'd say the label shows they are glad for folks to know that the work is theirs.

TripWagner · #10 01-25-2008, 07:36 PM

Thanks, ShawnD!

Had not thought of that! I'm breathing a little easier.

Speedo needle is in the right place ... Still stumped

Haven't the time tool fool with it now, but as my LOVING family pointed out ...

"You drive so slowly and your car can't get out of it's own way, so why do you need a speedometer?"

Familiarity breeds contempt!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn D.

I don't know them, but consider this: if they weren't reputable, would they label their handiwork? I'd say the label shows they are glad for folks to know that the work is theirs.

#11 01-25-2008, 08:16 PM

The Benz Store in Chamblee is exceptionally reputable. Our family has been taking various Mercedes of all vintages to them for years.

One of the owner's specialties is rebuilding speedo/odometers, so does not surprise me that you encountered one in your car.

toomany MBZ · #12 01-25-2008, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkoebel

That "no idea what it is" is the cruise control amplifier. It looks to me like someone removed and replaced it but couldn't get it back up into the (very difficult) mounting location.

I agree, cruise control. The pics are of one I removed at the pick-n-pull.
There is another piece that is bolted to the housing, and has that other plug.

barry123400 · #13 01-25-2008, 09:15 PM

Do not get too excited. It has happened before. When you paint the speedometer needle you have to space it off the stop until it dries. Otherwise it sticks to it with the paint. Just free the needle. Remote chance it can be something else but usually is what I mentioned.
If it turns out to be a glued needle you join the ranks of a select few.

Cursing is allowed in that group as well so you might fit right in.

TripWagner · #14 01-26-2008, 01:47 PM

Think Groucho Marx said "I wouldn't want to belong to a club that would have me as a member" ... Seems I might be living his foresight!!!

I had a faint thought that may have been the issue ... Thought that the needle could free itself from the sticky nail polish ... but my understanding is that the speedometer is electric and the odometer is mechanical ??? I could understand how an electric needle would stay stuck. AND ... after glueing the clock into place, opening the case will be a chore.

Think I'll drink before I confirm my membership to this exclusive club, THEN I'll curse!

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry123400

Do not get too excited. It has happened before. When you paint the speedometer needle you have to space it off the stop until it dries. Otherwise it sticks to it with the paint. Just free the needle. Remote chance it can be something else but usually is what I mentioned.
If it turns out to be a glued needle you join the ranks of a select few.

Cursing is allowed in that group as well so you might fit right in.

toomany MBZ · #15 01-26-2008, 02:59 PM

I'm under the impression the speed-o is mechanical.