2000 E320 Display defective and no dash warning light

[Asim]

Hi, I have a 2000 E320. Recently had a dead battery. After replacing I noticed the display has a message stating “display defective visit workshop”. The LCD screen is very hard to read and also the gas gauge stays at empty with low fuel light remaining off. With the key on the on position the lights for various different systems do not illuminate. If anyone can help steer me in the path of fixing this that would be great. Thank you.

2000 E320 98k miles

[engatwork]

When battery died did anyone try to jump start it?

[Asim]

Yes. I tried to jump it from under the hood using a jump box. I removed the back seat and started it from the back instead.

[Zulfiqar]

Try disconnecting the windshield washer level sensor and motor with key off, then test to see if the system comes back online,

otherwise you will have to find the can bus breakout box in the car and isolate each network user and see what is bringing it down.

are you versed with can-bus troubleshooting?


usual culprits on the W210 chassis display defective is the washer fluid sensor which is 90% of the time killed by coolant leaking into the tank from the heater coil (which is a free 10 minute fix if you have a box of metric O rings - you just unscrew the thermostat assembly on the heater coil and replace the flattened O rings with new parts)

[Asim]

Not familiar with the troubleshooting with can bus system. Can you explain the o ring issue? Thank you for the reply.

[Asim]

Which heater coil are you referring to? Also I’m in Houston as well and selling mine. It has 98k miles $3700.

[jay_bob]

On the first gen W210 (96-99) these had the two row LCD at the bottom. Haven’t worked on a gen 2 W210 with the rectangular LCD. But I suspect it’s similar.

The coolant tank sensor and washer tank sensor are wired in series and connected to one analog input on the cluster computer. Each sensor has a series and a parallel resistor across its switch contacts. By looking at the overall resistance on the string the computer can determine if both levels are ok or one is low. If the string is broken, or the value returned is out of bounds, the LCD will display ‘display defective’.

I would start with the sensors and then look for broken wires. The washer tank is easy to change but the coolant tank not so much. You’ll have to drain off at least enough coolant to empty the tank as the sensor is in the bottom. The sensor uses a bayonet lock mechanism so it’s a quarter turn and pull out.

[Zulfiqar]

Originally Posted by Asim

Which heater coil are you referring to? Also I’m in Houston as well and selling mine. It has 98k miles $3700.

The heater coil inside the windshield washer tank - its literally coil shaped and is filled with engine coolant, its regulated by the small square/rectangle shaped unit in between the lines. That thing is the thermostat for it and has O rings to seal it.

[ruhollah]

Originally Posted by Asim

Hi, I have a 2000 E320. Recently had a dead battery. After replacing I noticed the display has a message stating “display defective visit workshop”. The LCD screen is very hard to read and also the gas gauge stays at empty with low fuel light remaining off. With the key on the on position the lights for various different systems do not illuminate. If anyone can help steer me in the path of fixing this that would be great. Thank you.

2000 E320 98k miles

@Asim Could you manage to solve your problem? I have EXACTLY the same problem with my E320 2000 Mercedes. (I replaced the dead battery, LCD screen is completely gone, gas gauge stays at empty with low fuel light remaining off)







Really appreciate it if you can share your tips with me.

[Zulfiqar]

Originally Posted by ruhollah

@Asim Could you manage to solve your problem? I have EXACTLY the same problem with my E320 2000 Mercedes. (I replaced the dead battery, LCD screen is completely gone, gas gauge stays at empty with low fuel light remaining off)







Really appreciate it if you can share your tips with me.

do you have a scanner that can connect to the 38 pin DLC? Are you sure the backlight bulbs are good on the screen, you will have to use a flashlight to see if the display switches on when you cycle the key.