123 odom. reset problems - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Walter K · #1 05-22-2016, 10:15 PM

Gents,

The odometer on my 84 td has not worked since I got the car. I have occasionally pressed the rest button just to see if it would start to work. The last time I did this, both turn signal lights on the instrument cluster would glow when the head lights would turn on. The opposite turn signal light would blink brighter then the one selected, and the temp gauge and fuel gauge would jump in time with the turn signal.

Today I finally had time to pull the instrument cluster to see what I had done. I found the diecast reset lever had come off of the shaft it was pressed on to, and either it or the spring had shorted out one line of the pcb, which curled up and was touching the back of one of the gauges. I had a spare cluster, so swapped out the section with the gauges.

I was able to tap the arm back onto the pin, and reposition the pin so more of it was in the arm. It is a press fit, and with more of the pin in the arm, I don't think it will come off again.

Everything works again, but now even the odometer works. Apparently, the reset arm was the problem for the odometer not working. While I didn't specifically address the odometer, I am pleased it is working, since I have not been able to check the mileage since I have had the car.

I discovered that the donor instrument cluster was missing the plastic worm to spur gear that drives the odometer.

Just thought I would mention this should someone else have a problem like this.

Regards,

W.

Ceristimo · #2 05-23-2016, 12:49 PM

Nice fix and thanks for sharing it.

I've read on multiple sources that the non-functional odometers on most of the W123's are because the trip meter got reset while the car was moving, and that if done enough times that will break stuff.

Betsie's odometer works fine, and because of that I don't ever reset my trip meter. Never have, and probably never will, so here's hoping that odometer keeps running...