Note to Self: Do Not Turn On Engine When Instrument Panel is Out
 

Note to Self 2: Do NOT look at the oil line that attaches to the instrument panel and then turn on the engine.

For those that know --- yeah, now I know. For those that don't, don't do it.

- bigmaq

everytime I pull the cluster I put a sticky note over the ignition so I don't put the key in it.

What happens?
 

Just to satisfy my morbid curiosity and help me develop a strong aversion to this, can you tell us what kind of hell will be unleashed by this mistake?

Oh hell, never mind, I see the reference to the oil line (mechanical, not electric). Oil bath ensues I would guess:eek:

amazing thing ....though
 

I drove my first 300SDL without an instrument cluster. It was kind of "fun" in a weird way.

ESPECIALLY if the car is still hot from a recent drive.... think McDonalds coffee..... to quote E.T. "OUCH"

I think everyone has to do this once... :rolleyes:

ah I learned this valuable lesson during "interior refit 2007"

think of it as your benz initiating you into the world of "diy Benz work"




On a completely different note (yet still ties to the cluster) If your one of thoes people like me who thinks vac pressure gages are cool, you CANNOT simply install a vac/oil pressure/temp/fuel gage from an 80's model on a 70's model MB. The old oil pressure gage is mechanical VS Electric like thoes on the cars with a stock eco gage. <lesson learned at the yard today>

haha i read this and started laughing weve all done it :D

Yep ive done it but thank god it was on my totaled car. I soldered the hole over so I could drive it a mile to the next house

Must not have been pleasant to clean up... We W126 owners don't have that problem, I've driven without the cluster for a week while I was installing my alarm.

Yeah, thats only a W123 owner issue, us high tech W126 owners have electronic gauges and can't get sprayed with oil by an electrical connector. :D ;)

I've moved my car without the cluster before, but thats about it.

Haven't had to take it out on the 300D yet.....which is good. :)

So THAT'S what the oil stain on my floormat is from. Ok, good to know.

I looked at a 240D with a non-functioning oil gauge that had a stain on the mat....wonder why. :D

Add difficulty points for those of us with 123's and 126's. We have to remember which one we're in.