Our '94 C-220 with 58000 miles has developed a speedometer problem. From a dead stop the speedometer will not move from 0 MPH until the car has traveled about 100 feet. It will then jump up to the correct speed and work normally until you come to a complete stop again. Does anyone have a solution to this problem? I appreciate the responses and knowledge shared on this website!

That has been a problem on a lot of the W202 C-class cars.
Many times the needle JUST sticks to the resting peg. IF that is the case just tap above the instrument panel above the speedo & see if you get a reading BEFOFE you travel 100ft.

Might have to remove the cluster & clean the needles with Q-tip & alcohol

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Thanks MBDOC! I'll try it in the morning. If this isn't the problem, what is my next step? Is there a speed sensor that may be on its way out? Since this is a common problem what have you seen to be the most common repair? Thanks again......

My 95 C220 does the same thing. Sometimes, it also happens to your fuel gauge. I think the pin gets sticky and is actually the reason why the needles don't move immediately. Cleaning the pin with alcohol should solve the problem.

__________________
95 C220

You guys are right. The speedo needle stop probably gets sticky in the warmer months like what I have been experiencing here last Summer, my first Summer with this car. The needle sticks to the pin until the car gets to about 40kph when it jumps off the pin and registers the 40kph and then it works normally until we come to a dead stop. Then the drama repeats itself again. I haven't done any cleaning yet, but feel that this is quite serious since you could be caught out "speeding" in a slow speed zone without being really guilty of doing it. Our slowest road speed is 50kph now in built-up areas unless there is a normal 60kph sign. Anything lower than this is for speed humps or speed slowing "s" bends which is 20kph. I just wonder if this oddity was ever found during the model's introduction year in 1994 or earlier and declared a "recall" item for fixing free of charge or replacement.

I agree that they should call out a recall and have it fixed for free. It taked time to clean them. I plan to clean my pins sometime because I need to change my temp and clock bulbs too.

__________________
95 C220

Hey guys, since you have done the cleaning bit before can you give me any advice on how the dash is disassembled to get to the needles? Thanks!!