'04 E320 Dead Instrument Cluster
 

My '04 E320 wagon has a dead instrument cluster. At first the instruments started resetting, the whole cluster would go dark while driving then immediately power up, the clock would reset by turning backwards. Occasionally the gauge cluster would be dark right after starting the car then it would power up after a minute or two of driving, reset clock and would be fine for a day or a few days. Now it's completely dead, no gauges, idiot lights or instruments ever.

So far I have:

Tested/charged main and auxiliary battery - batteries are good
Looked at central gateway for corrosion on connections - none
Looked at all the fuse panels, pulled fuses and re-seated, checked for corrosion - all seem OK

I have spent some time online researching but haven't found much in the way of conclusive info an where to go next. Was considering buying an icarsoft i980 scanner to help diagnose but not sure if that will help?

Any suggestions welcome.

If the instrument cluster has power and its dead, then its time for a new instrument cluster. AFAIK, new from MB is the only option as the replacement cluster has to be married to the car before it will work.

I will probe the harness of the instrument cluster for voltage and see what I find. Research says two other places to look related to battery power fault, a Battery Relay that is beneath the windshield shrouding, and a battery Control Module in the back. I can see both of these units but there is trim to be removed in order to test/inspect them.

For a new cluster the only option seems to be the dealer. Cost for a new cluster is CAD $1,125.00 list, plus the labour to code it.

I have a related question for folks who might know - seems like it is possible to replace the cluster, central gateway, and two other boxes, and have everything work?

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/~fAAAO...Vu/s-l1600.jpg

Open up the cluster, and change the big electrolytic capacitors. It is usually the problem on these cars.

To go through the other monkey business is non-sense..

Martin

Thanks, will look into that. Also, found out you can swap the large board from back of cluster to a replacement cluster and no coding or swapping of other components required.

Have you spoke with James at MB Cluster?

James Kouramanis
8 Blacktoft Drive
Scarborough, Ontario
M1B 2M6 CANADA
Telephone:
(416)724-2149

No! Great source, thank you!

James at MB Cluster is a very smart guy, yet I have never sent a cluster to him, but he knows what he is talking about... Go with him if you got butterflies with the capacitors..

Martin