Cluster Issues

[MikeD]

I am having an issue with my 1996 C280's cluster. Every time I start my car, my clock resets to 12:00 and sometimes, the miles from my last trip are erased (so if I put 10 miles onto a 129 mile trip in progress, the car will still read 129 instead of 139 next time I start my car). The odometer reading works perfectly fine; the problems seems isolated to the clock and trip meter.

Sometimes if I start the car within a few minutes after an extended drive, the clock will not reset. The only thing I have found that sounds like my issue is the statement "The clock on the C220 may reset itself when starting the engine due to a faulty instrument-cluster voltage regulator. (1994)".

Does anyone know how to solve this issue or what the instrument-cluster voltage regulator looks like?

[wichipong]

sounds like power related coz clock resets to 12:00... dunno bout the trip meter though... its kinda like an internal battery went dead or something...

[Sulaco]

Yep, I believe there are a couple watch batteries in it. I can check on my spare later.

[SD202]

I was gonna say check the voltage regulator. Its a cheap and easy fix. I just had to replace the control module in my 96 C280. electronic problems are not fun.

[MikeD]

I was gonna say check the voltage regulator. Its a cheap and easy fix. I just had to replace the control module in my 96 C280. electronic problems are not fun.

Is the voltage regulator in the cluster itself?

[MikeD]

Yep, I believe there are a couple watch batteries in it. I can check on my spare later.

I would appreciate this!

[SD202]

Is the voltage regulator in the cluster itself?

Not sure if the cluster has its own individual voltage regulator. But the one i was speaking of is located under the black plastic cover on the back of your alternator its held on by three screws then once under the cover the regulator is held in to the alternator by two allen screws on either side.