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Odometer display problem
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Posted 12/28/2009 5:08 PM
koly
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Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
500
Odometer display problem

The top line of the trip odometer digital pixels/dots has decided to go on the blink, so to speak.

When it started, the top line of the numerals would return after a couple minutes. Now that it's been happening for the past couple outings, it's taking longer for that top line to come on, and sometimes it will come on, fade out to 50% luminosity, then continue fluctuating for the rest of the time I'm driving.

When other information is displayed in that area (oil level, etc) - that line of pixels is still missing...

Anyone run into this problem before?



(odometerdisplay.jpg)



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Attachments odometerdisplay.jpg (116KB - 7 downloads)
#162783
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Posted 12/28/2009 10:43 PM
MiN
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Date registered: May 2006
Location: Alpujarras, Spain
Vehicle(s): No cars, at all.
Posts: 555
500
Re: Odometer display problem

I had a similar problem on my CLK. It was DIY repairable. If you go onto Benzworld and search for 'instrument cluster repair' in all forums, there's some good articles that should help.
#162796 - in reply to #162783
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Posted 5/24/2010 12:50 PM
koly
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Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
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Instrument cluster repair - LCD just got worse :-(

I finally decided to do something about my instrument cluster's hieroglyphic display of the odometer and system messages.

following a couple different DIY threads, it was easy enough to remove the cluster, disassemble, and start to source the problem. I was extremely cautious, gentle, and careful as I approached the LCD glass, but that wasn't good enough.

Unfortunately, due to age more than anything else, the ribbon cable was already separating from the glass display - about 1/4 of the cable was no longer connected. As I inspected the connections, my cluster's ribbon cable connections looked to be far, far finer than the connections I'd seen on the DIY threads. I knew there was no way in the world I'd be able to re-solder them.

Disappointed, but not wanting to do any more damage, I reassembled the cluster.

Apparently I must have separated even more of the ribbon, because now all that shows up in my display is the clock in the lower right corner. Even the time now has missing pixels.

Do I have to source a whole new cluster? is there a place that might be able to repair my existing one? I'm taking a long road-trip in July, and I'd really like to have the display functioning properly before I go. Any help appreciated.
#172205 - in reply to #162783
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Posted 5/24/2010 2:02 PM
DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
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RE: Instrument cluster repair - LCD just got worse :-(

koly - 5/24/2010 12:50 PM



Do I have to source a whole new cluster? is there a place that might be able to repair my existing one? I'm taking a long road-trip in July, and I'd really like to have the display functioning properly before I go. Any help appreciated.


VDO used to have a repair facility in Virginia. Try a Google to see what comes up.
#172207 - in reply to #172205
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Posted 5/24/2010 2:42 PM
DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger




Date registered: Apr 2006
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Try Here

http://www.usa.vdo.com/generator/www/us/en/vdo/main/hidden/admin/co...

Here's an aftermarket repair that looks promising:

http://www.vdorepair.com/
#172210 - in reply to #172207
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Posted 5/24/2010 3:16 PM
4x4abc



Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: La Paz, Baja California, Mexico
Vehicle(s): 02 G500
5000
RE: Try Here

I have worked with theses guys before and their work is impressive:
http://www.nhspeedometer.com/
#172211 - in reply to #172210
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Posted 5/25/2010 5:37 PM
koly
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Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
500
RE: Try Here

4x4abc - 5/24/2010 1:16 PM
I have worked with theses guys before and their work is impressive:
http://www.nhspeedometer.com/

They're quite prompt as well. Sent an email to them last night and they called me first thing this morning. The cluster is now being packaged up to be sent to North Hollywood.

Thanks for the tips - I didn't even think to search "VDO." When I did I found a local shop that seemed decent until I told them what kind of vehicle it was. That's when their price shot up rather quickly.
#172299 - in reply to #172211
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Posted 5/26/2010 12:04 AM
hipine



Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: US, CO, Bailey
Vehicle(s): 460 1980 280GE w. 617A
5000
RE: Try Here

koly - 5/25/2010 3:37 PM

.....I didn't even think to search "VDO." When I did I found a local shop that seemed decent until I told them what kind of vehicle it was. That's when their price shot up rather quickly.


Easy confusion. It's the VDO speedometers in the 460s that are cheap to fix.

-Dave G.
#172319 - in reply to #172299
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Posted 6/17/2010 2:29 AM
koly
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Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
500
RE: Try Here

hipine - 5/25/2010 10:04 PM
Easy confusion. It's the VDO speedometers in the 460s that are cheap to fix.
-Dave G.

Dave, it goes to your character that you give them the benefit of the doubt. Another reason I'm glad to know you

Unfortunately, I'd already explained about the missing LCD pixels in the electronic display during the earlier (and cheaper) part of my discussion... it was after the make and model were mentioned that the price started reaching for the stars.
#173729 - in reply to #172319
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Posted 6/17/2010 2:44 AM
koly
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Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
500
UPDATE: Pixels Repaired, couple of issues.

I received the instrument cluster yesterday from North Hollywood Speedo & clock. Re-installed it and Wow - looks great.

Unfortunately, I've got a couple problems:
1. The "Remove Key" (or is it "Take Key"?) chime and alert message displays when the ignition is off, the door is open, and the key is already removed. I've tried many methods to try to reset this problem but the chime goes off with no key in the ignition no matter what.

2. The "low oil level" alert message is now going off, and after 3-5 minutes the red "not enough oil level" (or something to the effect) alert message goes off. The dip stick has honey-gold dino juice over 1/2 the way up the indicator meter.

All credit to North Hollywood Speedo, as the display looks great and they've said to send the unit back if I don't come up with a quick fix, and their 1 year warranty will cover any problems. However, they said they've never run into the "remove/take key" problem, and that the cluster's chip is a 'learning' chip and will learn to sense the correct oil level over time.

I know someone on this board will have a good suggestion...

Edited by koly 6/17/2010 2:47 AM
#173730 - in reply to #172211
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Posted 6/17/2010 3:06 AM
MiN
Extreme Veteran




Date registered: May 2006
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Posts: 555
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Re: Odometer display problem

I replaced the instrument cluster on my 99 G500, same dash as yours. It needed to be programmed to the vehicle by the dealer, or somebody with the Star/DAS/Xentry system. This may be required for an instrument cluster that's been repaired.
#173731 - in reply to #162783
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Posted 6/17/2010 5:33 AM
DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
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RE: UPDATE: Pixels Repaired, couple of issues.

koly - 6/17/2010 2:44 AM
the cluster's chip is a 'learning' chip and will learn to sense the correct oil level over time.

I know someone on this board will have a good suggestion... :boink:


The oil level sensor is located in the oil pan at the right front corner. I doubt if the level is learned in the cluster chip. My guess would be a poor connection between the sensor and the display.
#173733 - in reply to #173730
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Posted 6/17/2010 10:27 AM
hipine



Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: US, CO, Bailey
Vehicle(s): 460 1980 280GE w. 617A
5000
RE: Try Here

koly - 6/17/2010 12:29 AM
Dave, it goes to your character that you give them the benefit of the doubt.....


I think the bad attempt at humor says more about my "character" than anything else. Remember Harvey K's line to the junkyard girl in Pulp Fiction? Something to the effect that, "My dear, just because you ARE a character, doesn't mean you HAVE character."

Glad to hear the cluster is better. As for the other stuff, I like Dutch's suggestion to check connections and others here will help too I think.

-Dave G.
#173738 - in reply to #173729
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Posted 6/17/2010 11:19 AM
koly
Elite Veteran




Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
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RE: UPDATE: Pixels Repaired, couple of issues.

DUTCH - 6/17/2010 3:33 AM
The oil level sensor is located in the oil pan at the right front corner. I doubt if the level is learned in the cluster chip. My guess would be a poor connection between the sensor and the display.

I'll see if I can take a look at the connection to the sensor, but the oil level sensor was functioning correctly before I pulled the cluster - N Hollywood installed a new circuit board, which is why I think I'm having my two issues.
#173741 - in reply to #173733
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Posted 3/22/2019 12:45 AM
Otiswesty
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Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
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Re: Odometer display problem

I have similar problems with my 1999 G500 cluster
PA Speedo will not work on it and I typically have a useless display

Only the upper half was affected at first. After pulling the cluster and opening to assess the issue did the problem get much worse such that the LCD display is useless.

I'm hoping Koly or some one else can chime in on the longevity of their repair. BTW the dealer says the cluster is NLA

Here's how it looks now



(GoodDay.jpg)



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#240539 - in reply to #162783
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Posted 3/22/2019 8:27 PM
koly
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Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
500
Re: Odometer display problem

The NHollywood repair to my cluster has lasted ~9 years (knock on wood). In the extreme AZ summer heat (all of those 9 years), last summer the display started missing pixels when the engine is running at temperature, but so far so good.
#240542 - in reply to #240539
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Posted 3/26/2019 5:09 PM
Otiswesty
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Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
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Re: Odometer display problem

I heard back from NH Speedometer. They said they no longer have parts to repair this.

I also have reached out to a shop in NJ and will send it off to them unless I find a closer confirmed option in the next couple of days.
#240564 - in reply to #240539
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Posted 3/29/2019 6:54 AM
Inkblotz
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Date registered: Apr 2006
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Re: Odometer display problem

There is ribbon replacement listed one EBay. Worth a try?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-BENZ-W463-G320-G500-INSTRUMENT-CLU...
#240575 - in reply to #162783
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Posted 3/30/2019 1:03 AM
Otiswesty
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Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3002
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Re: Odometer display problem

Inkblotz - 3/29/2019 3:54 AM

There is ribbon replacement listed one EBay. Worth a try?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-BENZ-W463-G320-G500-INSTRUMENT-CLU...



That looks like the right bit. The picture of the perfectly working cluster is nice.
Having taken it apart already, I'm not sure I'm up to it tho.
I think I will just send it down to LA next week
#240579 - in reply to #240575
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Posted 5/3/2019 12:37 AM
Otiswesty
Administrator




Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3002
2000
Re: Odometer display problem

My cluster was repaired by ETech in Los Angeles. Apparently parts are quite hard to come by for the earliest 463 LCD odometers.



(ETech.jpg)



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Attachments ETech.jpg (102KB - 0 downloads)
#240644 - in reply to #240579
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