News:

The ORG - No shonky business!

Main Menu

How I damaged my instrument cluster

Started by mrkozzy, 17 August 2020, 04:46 AM

mrkozzy

The idea was good.
Put in some fresh, new instrument cluster globes.

The execution was bad.

The pictures below show what happens when I didn't put one of my globe holders back in the correct way. (On the back of the instrument cluster.)

Only one of the 2 diagonally opposite locking pins was in correctly. I didn't realise.

Started the car, tiny puff of smoke and that awful burning electrics smell.

Turned the ignition off immediately and removed the globe and holder, thinking, if I just replace it, the problem will be solved.

Not so.

3 days later and and having charged the battery 3 times, because it kept going flat overnite, I realised I have a battery draining problem.

Pulled the instrument cluster out (again) and found I had also fried part of the circuit board. (look closely at the  picture)

I've replaced the circuit board with another. Now I'll wait until tomorrow to see if my battery drains again.

I really hope thats the end of it.

Lesson learnt............be more "@#%^&*!" careful!
 
MrKozzy

nathan

very frustrating when you think you have done a nice job, and realise you will have to do it all again because you buggered something up or its not working! hope its solved!
1979 116 6.9 #6436
2018 213 e63
2011 212 e63
2011 463 g55
2007 211 e500 wagen
1995 124 e320 cabriolet
1983 460 300gd
1981 123 280te

Nabstud

That sucks, from a simple job to a big task. Look at the positives, the new one has better oil pressure...  ::)
1975 280S - Australian delivered

Squiggle Dog

9 years ago when I was installing the custom wood veneered instrument panel cover, I unplugged the instrument panel with the battery still connected. Even though the ignition switch was off, the instrument panel started to smoke, and it burned away one of the wire traces.
Stop paying for animal cruelty and slaughter. Go vegan! [url="https://challenge22.com/"]https://challenge22.com/[/url]

1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Heated Seats, 350,000+

Jed

These things happen to all of us.  Don't feel too bad...

hopefully an easy fix...
1979 Mercedes 6.9 #5206 - restored
1979 Mercedes 6.9 #6424 - ongoing restoration
1976 Mercedes 6.9 #484 - restoration?

Randys01

I'm currently in the same boat...the job to do the job to do the job.........
40 year old plastic and rubber bands :'(

Diesel 617

I was removing a beautiful Becker radio from my first w116, not realizing it still had power while off, and fried the radio with a giant blue shock of death. Always disconnected the battery no matter what after that.
X3 1980 300SD Blown Heads, trans -Retired
1980 450SEL Parted out/Scrap
1980 450SEL to Diesel Parted Out/Scrap
1979 280SE Euro Spec Cloth Seats Sold
1979 300CD Daily Driver - Sold


Inventory of w116 Parts
[url="https://www.ebay.com/usr/vintagepartsandstuff"]https://www.ebay.com/usr/vintagepartsandstuff[/url]

mrkozzy

Well here's (hopefully) the  final update on what was a rather expensive saga in the end.
After changing over the  faulty circuit board from another instrument panel I had in storage, I decided to send the whole unit away  & have all the other ongoing annoying faults fixed.

It came back after a thorough clean, the trip meter is fixed & now working, and the on again off again clock is fixed and seems to keep time well. All the (new l.e.d) lights are tested and ok.

Its been Back in the dashboard 2 days now and no flat battery so, I hope thats it. The end of my saga.




MrKozzy