Are there motors or mechanical parts in 2000 E320 Dash

[benzs500]

I have a 2000 E 320 with 90k on it. There is an annoying buzzing coming from the dash. It is coming from the drivers side and sounds like it is coming from the instrument cluster.

Even when the car is in neutral, and I accellerate, you can hear the little buzz around 3k rpms.

What could this be? It is very loud and annoying when driving and varies with accelleration. Depending on where the petal is I hear the buzz.

Anything I can check?

Thanks guys!

[Gilly]

Nothing I can think of, hmmm, maybe the tach itself??

I guess if I were you I would get a set of cluster hooks and just pull the cluster out, just so it's loose from the dash itself, to see if there is a change.
If it still does it, and you still hear the noise, I think you can remove the connectors and remove the whole cluster, and I think everything should be OK to start the car and see if it is still doing it. Nothing coming to mind right now on what it could be.
Gilly

PS, pic of the hook tools in case you don't know what I mean


, there should be an article somewhere on how to make your own and how to use them.

[benzs500]

Thanks, Gilly. Good info on the hooks. Do you happen to have any useful info as to how to use these properly?

The dash is in great shape and I'd hate to mess something up when pulling it out.

Thanks again!

[Gilly]

The hooks go on each side of the cluster with the tips of the hooks up, so slide in between the cluster and dash. You insert the hooks, then rotate the handles so the tips would be behind the cluster, then pull out on the handles. General idea is you are hooking the back of the cluster and yanking it out, just that easy, no "lock" feature, the cluster is just pressed in to the hole in the dash, not a complex thing at all.

[vince]

On my 1995 C280, when I have powered up with the cluster disconnected it set the SRS lamp and I had to have it reset by the dealer. I don't know if the W210 is the same.

[RichardM98]

Insert of hooks at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. There is a little gap near where the wood grain trim meets the cluster. Looks inviting but that's TOO HIGH. If you get MB hooks from the dealer (pretty cheap) they have a mark on the shaft to give you an idea of how far to insert before twisting 90 degrees inward. You 'walk' the cluster out by pulling a little on one side (1/8") and then a little on the other. On really stubborn cases you can remove the kick panel under the steering column and push on the cluster from the back.

If you have a small piece of celluloid like an old microfiche card you can insert it between the dash vinyl and the cluster. It will keep the hooks from marking up the vinyl, especially if you have a light colored interior.

I don't think there's anything in the cluster to make a noise since it's purely electronic. The most common dash noises are from debris which gets caught somewhere in the fresh airflow and vibrates. Also, some people have posted hearing their MOT valve from inside the car.

Good luck.

[Gilly]

Vince, you could be right, it's been awhile for me. But wondering, if the airbag/steering wheel is removed and the key turned to ON, THAT will definitely set the SRS light.