A Class mileage / service display fault

[Reallyfedup]

Hi, after recently forking out £750 for a new ECU, I now find that my mileage display is not illuminating. Mercedes have quoted (over the 'phone') £215 plus £112 labour to have a whole new cluster fitted and coded(?). Has anyone else had this problem? Did the whole cluster need to be replaced? Is there a cheaper alternative?

Many thanks for your help, Alan.

[FLX]

When you say 'illuminating' do you mean:
a. no data visible at all on the screen (no outside temp, no day odometer, no clock)
b. when you switch on the lights that there is no illumination of that screen.

If it is B. I had a similar problem that the little LED behind the rev counter was gone. So the mecanic installed a new light, but in the mean time they broke my led of the centerdisplay (and some other stuff as well). Had to go back and point it out what they had done, telling them I would not pay labour again !

So they changed all lights behind the cluster while I was waiting. Opening it is really a piece of cake and changing those little light bulbs as well - opening and closing can be done in less than 20-30 minutes.

I will try to find a manual how to reach it. Might be in german but with lots of pics.

[Reallyfedup]

Many thanks for your reply FLX. Unfortunately, it "a)" , no data at all on the screen.

Alan.

[lofty]

b]alan[/b] go to my site page 44 see if the information their will help you, at least you can take a look and who knows it may just be bulbs £1.70 each halfords.
lofty.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/albert.rowe/mypage.44.htm

[chrisw140]

It's not too difficult to change the display bulb. Pre face lift model. First remove the trim under the speed cluster (has got an air vent in it). There are 2 cross-head screws. The trim will pull out. This will give access to the dash pod screws - 2 cross head's - Remove these. The top dash pod unit cover will now slide off. There are 2 more cross head screws which hold the instrument cluster in. It's easier to remover the whole cluster unit than playing around trying to remove individual bulbs. Pull out the cluster. To remove the bulbs my special tool is a 9mm socket. An 8mm will do it, but is too tighter fit. That's about it. Should take about 15 minutes.