Instrument cluster does not work

2000 MERCEDES BENZ C280
110,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
MIKE-RAY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hello,

The "warning" lights such as check engine, etc., all light up, but they stay on. The clock, mileage, etc., (I believe those are LCD panels) do not come on. The gauges do not work either (fuel, temperature, RPM, speedometer). Car starts and appears to run fine. Just to make sure it's not a voltage issue, I've checked the battery and that is fine as well (not low voltage). Someone in another forum stated that it was most likely the "body control module" but I can't find much if anything related to that. Any additional information/guidance is greatly appreciated.
Sep 22, 2019 at 10:48 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,857 POSTS
Hello,

I have seen this in the shop and had to replace the instrument cluster with a used/rebuilt. here is a video of the job being done on a different car and diagrams below to show you how on your car:

https://youtu.be/_HEC44xENxw

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.
Images (Click to enlarge)
Attached Media
Attached Media
Attached Media
Attached Media
Attached Media
Sep 23, 2019 at 12:54 PM
Avatar
MIKE-RAY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hey thanks Ken,

So was the comment (in another forum even) remotely accurate when they stated that the "body control module" would be the problem here. Thank you very much for the diagrams and video. I already had the cluster removed. Just performing a manual check on connectors, etc. Wanted to make sure that the motors associated with the gauges weren't somehow causing the issue either. So I reconnected the instrument cluster, but the problem still exists. So you think replacing the cluster would resolve the issue? And then, I can buy an instrument cluster, but I'm going to assume I have to take that to possibly either a Mercedes dealership, or at the very least Mercedes repair shop to have the data (miles specifically) transferred from the old one to the new one.
Sep 23, 2019 at 3:58 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,857 POSTS
Yes the data needs to be transferred. Please let us know what happens.
Sep 24, 2019 at 9:54 AM