Instrument Needles have a life of their own - Help - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 04-09-2003, 05:25 PM

If I put the headlights on, the fuel and temperature needles jump up a few notches.

If I indicate with the lights on - they jump all over the place and the headlight led and dash backlighting flashes on and off.

Any ideas ?

PaulG · #2 04-10-2003, 09:26 AM

Alex,

I recon you have an earth fallen off (or corroded) on your instrument panel.

It would take an age to find it, so just create another!

Easiest way is with a couple of crimp-on tag-washers, some thick wire and a couple of self-tappers.

Just find some metal on the the instrument panel chassis and another bit on the car body (a bracket is ideal) and connect them together with the wire.

Probably the cheapest repair you'll ever do......

#3 04-20-2003, 04:31 PM

I had identical problem with 83 300TD. I suggest you pull out the instrument cluster and take a look at the circuit board tracks on the left hand side - the bit that supports the fuel, oil pressure & coolant temp. guage. I found burnt tracks. I repaired the track with a piece of wire soldered in. Seems to work okay now - at least no more needles jumping all over the place.

I'm a little concerned that I did not find root cause of the problem. However, in my case this is new car to me with lots of problems - like wrong fuses being used, instrument panel rhoestat missing.

Steve

Goldie · #4 10-19-2006, 08:07 AM

Hello, I am having a similar problem. Is there anyone out there that can expound on Paul's solution or has a similar solution?

Thanks!

PS electrical systems are not my forte, so the more explicit the better...

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulG

Alex,

I recon you have an earth fallen off (or corroded) on your instrument panel.

It would take an age to find it, so just create another!

Easiest way is with a couple of crimp-on tag-washers, some thick wire and a couple of self-tappers.

Just find some metal on the the instrument panel chassis and another bit on the car body (a bracket is ideal) and connect them together with the wire.

Probably the cheapest repair you'll ever do......

Diesel Giant · #5 10-19-2006, 09:39 AM

Meaning there is a poor ground connection at the cluster. By "connecting" the back of the instrument cluster with the body, you gain a good ground. Just remove the cluster and remove one of several screws on the back holding the instruments to the cluster. Take a heavy gage wire 10g and attach a ring terninal to the wire. Then screw this wire to the back of the cluster. Take the other end of the wire and attatch it to the metal dash support visiable when the cluster is removed.

This will improve the ground connection.