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Instrument cluster went dark

Tiny
RYAN.TIM.J
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 MERCEDES BENZ E320
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 105,000 MILES
Hi, everything else seems to work around it, all lights, etc. The instrument cluster is not working. Clock, speedometer, tachometer, file gauge, temperature gauge. Whole thing.

Anyone know if they can be repaired? I would rather not replace with a used one.

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Thursday, October 24th, 2019 AT 8:55 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

First, I need you to check a few fuses. Take a look at the attached picture. Check the fuses I highlighted and specifically the one I circled.

Here are a few links you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-car-fuse-works

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

_____________________________________________________________________
Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Friday, October 25th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM
Tiny
RYAN.TIM.J
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  • 57 POSTS
Hi Joe, thanks for the diagram. I did not see highlights or circled fuses on it, but I checked all the 7.5A fuses #’s 64, 52, 48, 49. They were all good.
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Saturday, October 26th, 2019 AT 8:13 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Welcome back:

We have a couple things here that could be causing it. Can you tell me if the center air outlet is illuminated, the cigarette lighter and so on?

If they aren't, it can be a ground issue, a problem with the headlight switch itself, or the illumination module, which is part of the headlight switch. Also, I have a few more fuses we need to check. See pic 2

Also, if you can, there is a brown wire behind the instrument cluster which is a ground. Make sure it is okay. See pic 1

Let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, October 26th, 2019 AT 6:28 PM
Tiny
RYAN.TIM.J
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  • 57 POSTS
Hi Joe.

Brown wire does have continuity to ground. All fuses checked good except 18 which is not installed.

All fuses were in the trunk, none were in engine bay. 11 is 20A not 15A, 1 and 2 are 30A not 20A.

The center air outlet is illuminated. I don’t find any other lights out, or devices not working. My nav/entertainment system stopped working about a year ago, that is the only other thing that is dark.

Best, Tim
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Sunday, October 27th, 2019 AT 2:54 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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If you are getting power to the center air outlet, I suspect it is a cluster related issue. Power to the air outlet is provided via the cluster. It they are out and the center air vent illuminates, something internal most likely has occurred.
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Sunday, October 27th, 2019 AT 9:24 PM
Tiny
RYAN.TIM.J
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Okay, thanks. I will try to get the cluster repaired. I see several vendors on the web.
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Monday, October 28th, 2019 AT 5:15 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Welcome back:

Happy to help. Let me know what you find and if you get it fixed.

Take care,
Joe
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Monday, October 28th, 2019 AT 6:22 PM
Tiny
RYAN.TIM.J
  • MEMBER
  • 57 POSTS
Got my instrument cluster repaired at a shop in Orlando, FL, AutoDigital. AutoDigitalinc. Com is the website.
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Wednesday, October 30th, 2019 AT 7:06 PM
Tiny
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Welcome back:

Was it an internal issue with the cluster?

Let me know,

Joe
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Wednesday, October 30th, 2019 AT 8:46 PM
Tiny
RYAN.TIM.J
  • MEMBER
  • 57 POSTS
Hi Joe, yes. Keith, the tech, says he went through a rebuild procedure. Then tried powering up the cluster, and it powered up. My impression were that several components were replaced, including a power supply. He did not go into much detail.
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Thursday, October 31st, 2019 AT 5:56 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Welcome back:

I had a feeling it was internal when you had power after the cluster. Regardless, I'm glad to hear it's going again. Feel free to come back anytime you have questions.

Take care,

Joe
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Thursday, October 31st, 2019 AT 7:35 PM

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