I've searched everywhere and can't find what needs to be done to fix the 210 LCD's that commonly start to fade away on the 2000+ models. Would someone please point me in the right direction so I can fix this myself?

Thanks all,

Dale

Is yours fading or losing pixels? Fading may be the bulbs.

Everything I've read states the "fix" is a complete new cluster.

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

Someone trying to sell me an '02 wagon last year told me the individual modules (ambient temp, gear position, etc.) are replaceable. I don't believe it to be the case. This failure is widespread and may affect all cars. Our '02 wagon has been getting worse as more time passes. It's my understanding that there is no cheap fix.

I can't understand why MBz doesn't step up and correct this nonsense. I consider it a safety issue when I can't tell what gear I am in. Wouldn't this be a concern for NHTSA or whoever the agency overseeing auto safety would be?

I can't remember where but one of the members here stated that there were several places that needed to be soldered on the back circuit board to bring the LCD's back to life. I know I read that somewhere but can't for the life of me find it....

I just had the cluster in my 2001 210 replaced yesterday under Starmark warranty. Two pixels were out on the gearshift display, and the clock segments tended to come and go. The entire cluster was replaced, not just the offending displays.

The replacement cluster uses international symbols rather than english. Where the old one had a red light and the word "brake", the new one has an exclamation point being compressed by a set of brake shoes. So far it freaks me out every time I start the car because it registers as some new warning that I've not seen before.

The turn signal noise is different too. I don't like it much, so I'm gonna stop signalling.

There are some rebuilders out there that can rejuvenate these displays. I'm sure it's much less pricey than paying for a new one out of pocket. Can't think of any names at the moment. Lately there was a thread about a cluster being lost by UPS while returning from a rebuild...

- JimY

I think you might get lucky by removing the cluster and disconnecting/reconnecting the connections a few times. I think corrosion is the problem and Mercedes took another cheap shortcut which is not news to anyone anymore. Anyway, if it works, it's free.

BBA- Reman for instrument cluster repair 1-866-573-2740.
Three day turn around and warranty for as long as you own the car. I'm very happy, however there is a post on doing it yourself . The cost was approx 230 dollars plus postage. One year later it is working great.

W210 instrument cluster repair pixels