87 190E Instrument Cluster
 

Hi there,

I just read the article of DieselGiant on fixing busted odometers and it was great. I have a W201 and would like try out his instructions. Unfortunately, I only went as far as pulling out the panel under the dash. I tried to reach inside the back of the instrument cluster but couldn't get my hands through all the wires, hoses and ducts. So I couldn't get the slack I need on the speedometer cable.

Does anybody know another way to get the slack on the speedometer cable? Will I damage anything if just go ahead and pull out the cluster without the slack?

Your expertise will be much appreciated.

If you remove the black plastic ducting, you will be able to reach up and undo the speedo cable from the back of the cluster, and be able to push the cluster out without resorting to hooks or steering wheel removal.

The ducting is snap fit at both ends, one at the center console air duct and the other side at the driver's side vent assembly. Just give them a little tug and it will come off at each side. With the ducting out of the way, use a flashlight to locate the brass speedo cable end and use your fingers to unthread it.

My hand was way to big to come from the bottom to unscrew the speedometer cable, so I followed the cable through the firewall, under the car to the transmission and simply unscrewed it there, giving me ample room to pull the cluster out farther, then I unscrewed it from the back of the cluster. Seems like I needed an extension bar and a socket to remove it from the transmission end. It saved the day for me.

MTI,

I tried to take out the duct and it snapped off easily from the center console. I tried to pull the duct out but I couldn't get the head past the silver tube and the panel brackets. Is there a trick on how to get it out? the cross section of the head is a lot bigger than the available space.

Babybenz,

Is the tranny end of the cable accessible from under the car or only through the engine compartment?


Thanks

where is this article????

No trick to removing the tube's attachement to the air vent piece, just snaps out.

underneath the car on the passenger side

Soldier,

http://dieselgiant.com/mercedes_diesel_maintenance_tips.htm

The item on odometers is near the bottom of the page.

Hi MTI,

I hope I'm not being too pesky about this. I was able to snap off the duct from center console without a hitch. But when I try to pull it out, the rectangular duct attachment is too big to pass through because of a silver tube that gets hot after driving and the panel bracket.

What's the silver tube for? Is it OK to take it out? I'll take a picture of the area to give you an idea of my problem.

I removed speedometer cable from transmition to have the slack to remove instrument cluster. Is much less work than go from underneath of instrument cluster. Good luck.