C43 climate control screen is going nuts
 

I wanted to verify the proper course of action I should take. I have read that it could be sticking touch keys so i should blow behind the keys with compressed air.

Or, maybe reset the control...although I am uncertain as to how to do that.

My system works fine, it just isnt always readable. Parts of numbers drop off or the screen goes partially blank
Thanks

My C230 has that problem. If I push on the glass or the bezel around the glass (of the display) then the digits come back. I call it a touch display. If you touch it it will display. Is yours like that?

yes. If I touch it it will partially come back on some times. I read that blowing compressed air behind it will help fix it but I wanted to confirm. I tried to reset it but that did not work. touching the ec button seems to help the most but then I have no ac. :D

Who told you to use compresed air? I don't think that will help. The problem is the connections between the circuit board and the display glass. These typically use rubber connectors called "zebra strips" because of their alternating layers of black conductive rubber and non-conductive rubber of another color. They rely on pressure to keep the connection. Not enough pressure = no connection = bad design. Someday I will take mine apart and try to fix it but for now it is a "touch panel".

On mine it was a loose ribbon cable connector behind the display. Same symptoms. Pushing on the screen caused to cable to make momentary contact. Pushing the cable all the way down solved the problem.
Dan

Dan,

Can you outline the basic procedure?

Thanks,

Mike

Very basic procedure: Remove climate control module using the usual MB removal tools. Remove lamp. It is the small white round thing, turn counter-clockwise. The following is best done at a static safe workstation, otherwise, make sure you ground yourself before touching the innards. Carefully, open case. It is just pushed together with small plastic tabs to hold it. Push pins under the tabs to hold them open while pulling the case apart. You will see the large ribbon cable coming from the display module. Make sure it is secure at the connector and re-assemble. Be careful to get all the the plastic tabs on the top and bottom back where they belong otherwise the unit will not go back into the dash. (Don,t ask how I know this). Don't forget the lamp. Good Luck,
Dan

thanks!!

Based on the symptoms I have I am skeptical that is my problem but I appreciate the description and I will give it a try someday (It is working again for now!)

Thanks,

Mike

dealership told me that the crystal comes apart from the sending unit. It is made worse by temperature..sometimes heat sometimes cold. A new screen is $525 not installed.

Thats the same as what I said. But I like Dan's answer better! (And I think the unit is cheaper on Fastlane).

Mike

I went ahead and replaced mine. The unit settled down so that only the upper left corner was acting funny. I.e. instead of 70 degrees, it would read 10. Even then that went away so I ended up replacing one that had no issues at the time it was removed.

Never the less, I installed a new one.

I will sell my old one if someone is interested. A new one is $575. Make an offer. Ill be putting it on ebay shortly.

Keynote22@yahoo.com

I don't know why anyone would want a bad one. Make sure you don't list it as a good one!!

Mike