I have an 81 240D where the odometer and trip odometer just stopped working. Anyone have any ideas as to a fix for this ? thks.

Common problem, happens all the time. Some will advocate trying to fix it yourself, and I believe that there may be some posts in the archives about that.

In my opinion the best bet is to take it out and bring it to a guy that rebuilds instruments – they are kind of like clock repairmen, it’s kind of a dying art. Shouldn’t cost more than $50-$60, and he should go through the whole thing to clean &lubricate it. It’s money well spent.

Could just be your speedometer cable rusted and broke inside the sheath.
That happened to my 300D.
AN instrument co. can test the gauge
for ya ,should be free, before you commit it
for rebuild.

__________________
1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

Unless I am misinterpreting the message, Sgoodhart said that both odometer functions stopped, but did not say the *speedometer* function stopped. If the speedometer still works, then the cable is not broken; it is an internal problem. One that commonly occurs on this vintage of MBZs.

Pop Test!

__________________
1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

This is a common problem on older models, and an easy fix.
Remove the instrument cluster from the car and dis- assemble it till you get to the odometer assby. The problem is the gray metal gear on the number stack. It is supposed to be press fitted to the shaft and spin with the shaft, but over years and age and many miles it loosens up from the shaft and fails to function.
Fix it by pushing out the shaft with the correct size drill bit then support the number wheels with the shaft removed. Set the shaft next to the stack and note where the metal gear was positioned.Next take a punch and hammer and make a dimple on the shaft where the gear goes. Press the shaft back through the stack, re-assemble everything and the odometer will now work.
I have done this procedure on several cars and it works great.
Good luck:
Bill

__________________
J. William Tarbrake
NY State Dealer 7014303DLU
Registered repair shop R7014303
82 300SD modified for waste vegatable oil
92 300SE 270K miles perfect
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80 450SL
79 450SL 69K Miles FOR SALE
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94 CARVER 32 Voyager(SOLD)
67 Chris Craft 40' Aft Cabin(twin ford 427 side oilers)