I highly doubt that the LCD panel itself is bad. They do this when the electrical connections fail.

Dude,
When mine does this, I learned of a 'quick-fix', that works for me. Lightly moisten your index finger and with as much pressure as you would use to push the buttons of a touch-tone phone, 'swipe' your finger accross the display. The numbers will disappear for a moment and then, in my case, display as normal. If this doesn't work on the first try, increase the pressure slightly and try again. If this 'fix' fails to bring your display back to normal, then it's probably 'toast'.

Bob

__________________
Bob Jones
Bradenton, FL
'87 560SL-Sold
'99 SL500 For Now

Yeah, that's a classic LCD segment failure. The lick and wipe suggestion is your only shot. The display will flow and produce a black shadow as pressure is applied.

Sorry the display is most likely toast. Cut and apply some electrical tape across it to black out.