W210 gauges not working ??
 

They have always worked normally until today.
1996 E300
LED information is normal but no Speedometer, Tachometer, Fuel or Temp
I see that this has come up on the board but with no conclusions.
Any ideas?

The fuel gauge needle jumps 3mm in rhythm and a click can be heard when the key is turned before start and while the car is running. all other gauges are at the bottom and not moving.
Other wise the car runs and drives great.
?

working...
 

I removed the Instrument cluster and everything looked normal. Reinstalled and the gauges still didn't work but the LED's for the clock and temp are brighter than the milage screen. Is this normal ?
I have seen that before but this car has always had all of the LED's the same brightness.
checked the junk yard; $70
dealer retail price; $916
used and rebuilt online; $75-$750
Drove car yesterday and the gauges started to work after a mile. Why?
I have seen postings with the same issue. Parked outside in the cold and rain and the dash fails.
After a few days they work again.
Anyone?

Poor instrument cluster ground ? Mercedes ground wires are normally brown in color.

OVP relay?? Bad ones cause tach. to fail in W124 diesels.

96 has bio degradable wire harnesses.

I would be looking at the wiring harness, but first check to see that you've got good voltage. A failing battery caused a few odd symptoms in my 210 but the car still started. As for the wiring harness, check to be sure the connectors are clean in various places, headlights, and so on. They get corroded and cause all manner of gremlins.

Thank you for your replies
 

I ask a Mercedes dealer mechanic and he said that the biodegradable harness was spotty through 1998 but it is possible that some have regular durable ones.
That I need to mess with it and see if it flakes out.

All of the grounds look good, really everything looks good as the car has spent most of its life garaged but I will take a close look at all of the wires from front to back when I get back from the trip that I am on now.