That is my last option, I'll check for circuit integrity first, powers, grounds, connectors, wiring etc.

Sounds like the previous owner botched the instrument cluster when he pulled the dash.

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

Maybe the connector isn’t properly latched.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

I'm agreeing with your direction. After looking at the ground distribution G202 has to be good because my AC works, the AC Push botton unit/ blower motor share the same ground as the illumination control module/instrument custer .Ground G203 is good because that's what the relay module/transmission is connected too lol.


I'm 99% positive my all my MAIN grounds are good, I haven't checked fuses, if they're blown, we have a short (please god no), if there's simply no power we have open wiring (power or ground side) or bad connections.However, if we have good power and ground we have either A no communication (bad module driver?) or B a bad cluster, I hope it's neither.


But I doubt that, why would the instrument cluster guages,entire courtesy light circuit , entire instrument cluster illumination circuit, and wipers all take a dump at once? This screams wiring issue or the possibility the previous owner blew MULTIPLE drivers. We'll see.

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

For anyone interested, here's a cold start.

https://youtu.be/2U7DYx7UcLg

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

It's a short confirmed, there's blown fuses all over the floor, knackered wiring.

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

Such a nice car for $400. I love my w210s. My daily is lowered about 1.5” on #1 springs pads and AMG monoblocks and tinted and it gets compliments everywhere while getting 32mpg Highway no problem. That E300 is gonna be faster than your turboed w126 with much better gas mileage and better ride quality.

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Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k

There's a lot of information about how the cluster works, failure points and repairs freely available on the website but I guess that's not useful to you. Good luck.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

I hope so, it feels slowish right now, probably needs new filters and a diesel purge. I like the W210 because suspension and steering components of OE quality are readily available and cheap, unlike the W126.

I was under the impression that website's sole purpose was to sell refurbished clusters. That's why I blew it off, I was unware of the wealth of info it contains.


Trust me I need all the help I can get, I'll read up.

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

Looks like I gotta take the entire dashboard out...well that's a project.

This job is going to require pin point organisation, I'll have to get some cardboard and punch the fasteners into the cardboard, label their relative location and zone them.


Enough rambling, off to O'riely to buy another test light.

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

What connector is this and where does it go? It's on the lower left hand side of dash.

Attached Thumbnails

     

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

I've looked under and could not find a connector

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

Per EPC:
202-540-59-81 Diagnosis Plug 16-Pin MT3

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78 W116 300SD 'Desert Rose' new as of 01/26/2014
79 W116 300SD 'Stormcloud' RIP 04/11/2022

Thanks.

Where can I find the FSM on dash removal? All data DIY doesn't have it. I looked under evap core replacement and didn't see it.

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

As Alec said, that looks like the OBD port. The panel under the steering column has a flip down door to expose the port. It should be just inboard of the hood release.



Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

Lost my key fob, this is going to suck and add up fast, towing + dealership = Ouch.

Looks like plans have changed, instead of chasing the electrical issue, i'll have to focus on preventive maintenance wear items so the car is driveable after being towed to the dealership.

I plan on changing all fluids and filters, all coolant hoses, water pump/T stat, brake hoses, front end tensioning assembly, belt, delivery valve seals, and lastly a hard diesel purge. Anything else I can change that might get me stranded if it breaks?

Also I have a big question, what are ALL of the fuel related O-rings that I can change out? I've searched but never came across a comprehensive complete list.
I'm aiming for a fuel leak free car.

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.