Help! Instrument panel dead, no turn signals

[Roger65]

I am having some electrical trouble with my 1991 500SL. Today while merging onto the freeway my instruments all went dead. No speedo, tach, clock, fuel gauge, only the temp gauge works. Also the turn signals do not work, but the relay clicks. The hazard flashers do not work. The engine temp gauge still works, that's it. The panel lights still work. Also, the softtop retractor does not work. No light to the button for the softtop. Everything else works. I checked all of the fuses. Any ideas? Here is a more concise list of the affected items:

Speedometer
Tachometer
Clock
Fuel Gauge
Oil Pressure Gauge
Vacuum MPG Guage
Turn signals
Hazard Flashers

Still have dash lights, temp guage. Turn signals click but no lights inside or out. The car is a 1991 500sl

[cricomac]

Roger --

My 91 500SL did the same thing last summer. Problem is in the instrument cluster. There are several shops who will repair it for you. Mine went to a company in Florida that turned it around in 24 hours for about $300 -- no problems since. Your top won't retract because the computer can't tell how fast the car is going. Contact me via email if you want the name of the vendor who fixed my cluster.

Scott

[txstinger]

Now, that’s a forum at work!!!

[cricomac]

Txstinger --

Sarcasm noted. This thread has appeared before. It seems many of us have resorted to replacing the cluster with a new or used one ($$$$). I was simply trying to point out that a repair is possible. Didn't realize this forum was a place to promote specific shops and vendors.

For the record, my cluster was repaired by Auto & Truck Electronics in West Palm Beach, Florida. Contact is ate@autoecu.com or www.autoecu.com

A Canadian company called "Mr Whizard" (www.mrwhizard.com) also can do the repair -- no doubt other shops that deal with electronic guages could also handle it.

[Roger65]

Scott,

Thank you for your reply. It turns out my problem was a hairline crack in a fuse. I had checked all of the fuses with a meter, I guess when I put the meter probe on the faulty fuse the pressure of my hand pushed it together and it read as good--gotta love those 1935 era ceramic fuses.

Anyway, my problem is solved and I'm back on the road, thanks again for the help.

Roger

[txstinger]

cricomac --

No Sarcasm, I thought it was great that you could help. It's even better that the problem was a cracked fuse.

[tecqboy]

If you still have the aluminum colored fuses in your car, consider buying one of the brass colored fuse "upgrade" kits. The aluminum fuses get old and brittle as well as corrode in their sockets.

[Roger65]

I'd like to hear more about fuse upgrades. The brass kit sounds good, where can I get a look at it? Also. I read in a Ferrari magazine about a glass and stainless steel fuse upgrade, anyone heard of this?

One concern I have though, is if various components will need reprograming after the fuse is replaced. The keyless entry and soft top circuits come to mind, among others. I really don't know how to clear fault codes and reprogram various systems after power is interrupted, is this a big deal or not?

[tecqboy]

I believe that you can get the fuse kits from Fastlane; the people who run this forum. The keyless entry will not require re-programming on a 1991 SL, but the radio will if it's the original Becker. There are instructions in the owner's manual on how to do that.