I have a 2003 S430. The ESP is inactive and there is nothing working on the whole cluster. I have no flashers or anything. I pulled off the trim that it is attached to and seen that there is three plugs on the back but only two wires plugged in. Is there a third wire?

Inst cluster failure on that model is common, so common that MBUSA has 10 year unlimited warranty on that part.

To diagnose almost any problem on that model you need to have codes read from all of the systems.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Are you talking about the ESP cluster or the instrument cluster with the speedo.

Instrument cluster has the 10 year warranty.

ESP is part of the traction system & only had MIL in cluster.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator