Recently, the speedometer needle of my 1995 C280 has been sticking on 0 mph. After driving a short time the needle would swing up and start registering the mph. Today, the needle remained stuck at 0 mph for the entire trip to work (single lane roads, 15 to 20 minutes, 3 stop lights). The odometer continues to record miles driven so it does not appear to be affected. I'm a first time MB owner and don't know much about the way the systems work. Is this an electrical or mechanical problem and how do I fix it?

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Roger Nasteff

The "goop" that is painted on the tip of the needle has become soft and sticky.

The fix has been covered a few times. Search David C Klasse's posts and you'll find the answer. It wasn't complicated, but eludes me right now.

Rest assured, no big cash layout...

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

My speedometer AND odometer both stopped working the other day. I don't know if it was when I pushed the trip meter button or not. But it was still at 000.0 miles later. Neither have started working.

I though the trip meter problem only effected the odometer, not the speedo. Could this be a cable issue?

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Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

I was having the same problem with my temp, fuel and tach gauges. When I pulled the cluster out to replace lightbulbs I went ahead and dismantled it and scrapped the paint off the needle posts where the needle touches. Since then I've had no problems. I have a 94 C280.

Somewhere I read that the paint MB used got sticky, especially in cold weather.

Reading this thread reminded me of my friends 97 c280. Apparently you could do something with the fuses and completely reset the odemeter to 0.The dealership had no idea it even happened. Not that this is encouraged but do be careful when playing with the electronics of these cars as playing with one thing can effect a few others.

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88 300E
03 911 C4S
2008 Triumph Speed Triple

My pics --> www.BrettAdamsDesign.com

Bainjs, I too have a 94 c280 which I was trying to remove the cluster to change some light bulbs. Did you have to remove the steering wheel by any chance? I can get the cluster loose but the steering wheel lip will not aloow the cluster to be pulled all the way out. Just wondering if there were any tricks. Thanks.

After disconnecting the wiring connectors, I was able to angle it and slide it out the right side of the steering wheel. Make sure you have the wheel straight in order for the cluster to slide across the top of the center piece. Let me know if you have more questions.

Thanks

Joel

The cheapest, and quickest fix for the needle sticking problem is to by a "pipecleaner" from a hobby shop (the kind you made stick men out of in kendergarten) and dip it in alcohol, thread it through the holes made for the trip push button and/or clock set buttons and brush it back and forth across the pegs to clean off the sticky residues that are gooping up the pegs. This will get you out of taking the cluster out of the dash until and unless you have to replace the bulbs.

If you are taking it out to replace the bulbs, or do any other service on it, then scrub off the coating on those pegs to avoid this ever happening again.

You can also put a small length of wire insulation over the sticky peg and clean the needle with alcohol to remove the sticky stuff.

Heres the MB fix to sticking cluster needles.
This will stop the needles from sticking for good.