Instrument Cluster dead, need help

[hario]

My instrument cluster on my 96 C200 is currently dead, probably short circuited. Now, I am looking for a replacement, but I've been researching on various forums, ebay, etc. but I still can't come to a solid conclusion which instrument panel can be used, other than the one that have the same exact part number.

My cluster part number is 202 540 60 47, been searching, but still can't find the same exact number as mine.

Now, the questions are:

1. Did my car has CANBUS? how to identify it?
2. What year exactly that the CANBUS started to be used? 97 or 98, got mixed info on this one.
3. Did anybody know what does the number means? At least I know that the last number can only be 47, 48 or 11, and the third number can be anything. Can it be that the 47 is for the non-CANBUS updated cluster, and 48 for CANBUS updated cluster? and 11 is for the CLK, most of them at least?
4. Did anybody know which model year and car model (W202, W210 or W208) cluster can be used my my car?

Thank you

[OzC36]

First of all, your current Instrument Cluster can be repaired. There are many companies that specialise in auto instrument and cluster repairs.

For a better understanding of what part numbers are used for what models of the W202 C200, take a look at the following site:

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.asp?TP=1&F=202020&M=111%2E941++++++111%2E945&GA=722%2E422722%2E602&GM=717%2E417717%2E418&CT=F&cat=44V&SID=54&SGR=585&SGN=19

[hario]

Can you please repost the link, cause I can't open it. Thank you.

About the repairs, I have to take a look into it, not many people repair this over here. That's why I am looking for a replacement.

[OzC36]

The link works OK for me when I click on it (not copy and paste)?

Where is "over here"?

[hario]

Ah, I think the website got some problems last time. I can open it now. Over here is Indonesia, hehehee........., thank you again :)

[OzC36]

The way you describe your problem seems to indicate that there is no power to your cluster.

That would mean a blown fuse or a bad connection.

Take a look at the fuses in the engine compartment first.

The wiring diagram below (link courtesy of BoominBenz) may also be of some help:

http://202tech.mkosonen.com/misc/c220cluster.pdf

[hario]

That's exacly what I suspected. I checked all the fuses, and all are fine.

This is what happened, before the cluster went dead, once in a while, the cluster just went dead for a second, then spings back to life again, that happened for about the last 2 years. Finally, the cluster went dead, then back on again, then like short circuited, so the needle are parked all over the place when it finally died.

The clusted seems to be divided into 2 circuit, cause the blinker (hazard and turn signal) relay and the indicator works fine, SRS warning light is fine, high beam indicator is also fine, but everything else is dead, including all the LCD's. The interior illumination is dead too, so I know that the rheostat didn't pass the power through.

And, I saw like a burned soldering joint in one of the terminals, I think it is near number 10/11 in the 1A socket. So your guess is correct, the panel didn't get power at all.

[OzC36]

Hmmm...it does sound like you need a repair to your instrument cluster or a replacement.

There are many instrument repair companies on German Ebay. For example, this repair place is:
WWW.PIXELFEHLER BEHEBUNG.DE
Contact for repair quote:
ddomhoefer@t online.de

Clusters listed on Ebay...This Ebay item 202 540 4811 is for the earlier year model than yours and may work?
http://cgi.ebay.de/Mercedes-W202-C180-Tacho-Kombiinstrument-komplett_W0QQitemZ310039249798QQihZ021QQcategoryZ9 9207QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This Ebay item 202 540 93 47 is for the later year model and might work?
http://cgi.ebay.de/Orig-Mercedes-Tacho-Drehzahlmesser-W202-C220-Bordc_W0QQitemZ200215519033QQihZ010QQcategoryZ9920 7QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This Ebay item 202 540 56 11 is a mystery?
http://cgi.ebay.de/Mercedes-C-Klasse-W202-W-202-Kombiinstrument-Tacho_W0QQitemZ140223152608QQihZ004QQcategoryZ9920 7QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This Ebay item 202 540 4811 is for an earlier year model and may work?
http://cgi.ebay.de/Mercedes-W202-C-Klasse-Kombiinstrument-Tacho-V-Mopf-TOP_W0QQitemZ250235548978QQihZ015QQcategoryZ99207Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[hario]

Hi, thank you for your help, especially about the ebay auctions.

Well, the earlier model one will not work, cause the wiring harness plug is not the same at all. The later model might work, the plug is exactly the same, but I am afraid of the instrument cluster with the CANBUS system. I've found from the russian site that the one that have high probability to work with my car is the one with 202 540 61 47, this is the same cluster, but with mile and km indicator.

The newer one, the one with number 48 at the end might work, but not entirely sure.