Hello, I am in the Las Vegas, NV area and I have 2010 Mercedes ML350 (please don''t judge...lol...it was cheap) with 149,000 miles on it. This is the 6 cylinder gas model. I purchased it very recently. On the dashboard there are two analog gauges (speedometer and tachometer) and two, centrally located small LCD screes. The lower show the gear the vehicle is in and a very few either pieces of data. The upper LCD shows information selected via a button on the steering wheel. That info basically allows the driver to know speed, mileage, outside temp, etc.
The gauges were operating normally until last Thursday. While driving (in 100 degree heat) the top LCD Display began to flicker and very soon went to black. Running my finger on the front of the gauge produces a white light drag that follows the finger and disappears back to black immediately.
I am not sure if this is fuse or a wire or a compete LCD Gauge failure or ???? I am hoping it only requires repair of the upper of the two gauges and that is would be a relatively simple repair. I have no idea where to start or even explain the concern. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
it was cheap
It's not cheap - You just pay post-Purchase, when it's time to go to a mechanic.
For example when you need to replace the timing chains, or the balance shafts, or whatever.
Or for example, if you go to a dealer the cost to replace a 2010's Mercedes cluster is around $2,000 (at the dealer)
two, centrally located small LCD screes
I'm about 90% sure that it's one LCD, there's just a plastic piece in front of it.
speed, mileage, outside temp
Well you have a speedometer, you can see the outside temp on your phone, ...
It's not that bad, I'd consider just living with it if you can't source one for cheap.
As far as the repair, here's the details:
(Use google translate, or the translate feature in safari)
https://www.drive2.ru/b/538072954160808010/
I am not sure if this is fuse or a wire or a compete LCD Gauge failure or ????
It's usually either the ribbon cable or the LCD screen.
You can get the LCD screen on eBay, there are plenty on sale like this one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/294923803253
Or just get a used gauge cluster (if you can find one cheap, try looking in junkyards)
Welcome to the life of owning an older European luxury car, it's about finding blog posts from all around the world about repairs on your obsolete car and sourcing eBay / junkyard parts to not pay thousands to a mechanic or the dealer.
