w210 speedometer needle sticks/jumps under acceleration
 

On my 02 E430 - when the interior of the car is warm/hot the speedometer needle will jump 1 - 3 mph increments (sometimes more) when I accelerate to change speeds - rather than smoothly rotating to show the increase in speed.

It seems like this is a problem with the instrument cluster - however, when I bought the car with 44k and the service history indicates the instrument cluster was replaced around 33k. Now the car has 54k on it (although I noticed the problem last year, maybe at 50k).

Are these clusters really that bad that they last less than 20k?? Or is there something I can do to resolve the problem without replacing the cluster.

I appreciate the ideas/input....

from what ive read and heard,its a common problem that the needles need a clean as they stick to the little prong it rests on at 0mph:eek:

no - this isn't sticking to the prong it rests on at 0 mph - its sticking as it rotates. So it will jump directly from say 30 mph to 34mph and then again directly to 37mph as I accelerate.

I knew there was a problem with the needle sticking to the post - but this is clearly not that issue.

Thanks!!

no one has seen this before?

Based on the lack of information available, this appears to be an uncommon problem. My 2001 E55 has been doing the same thing for some time now. The dealer hasn't been able to duplicate this. I need to pay more attention to see if it is related to colder weather. It is especially annoying when I think I am at the speed limit on the interstate and it suddenly jumps 2 or 3 MPH.

On your car the speedometer should be electronically controlled so the cable shouldn't be the problem?