Failed Plasma Gauges Install

**Sury** · 08-20-2006, 07:21 PM

I bought these Luminous Plasma Dials or ones similar hoping to liven up my dash off eBay.

When it went terribly wrong.
Took 4 hours trying to take off the steering wheel and finding and even buying new tools.
When I found out u could slide the gauge cluster out without having to remove the steering wheel !!

All up 7hrs work and $25 worth of tools and I didn't achieve anything but i know now how to change my gauge bulbs

In the end the gauges didn't fit on properly as u can see in the pics. Gotta try and get it returned now.

But here are a few useless pics from the day.
If u ever needed to know whats there and what to look out for.
As i know its easier to know what ur gonna come up against.
If u got any questions on anything jus ask.

Airbag Removed

**1995c280** · 08-20-2006, 07:58 PM

so if the gauges you bought didn't work because of the speedo not positioned right.....how did you get the blue lights on the very first picture. because the bulbs are white/yellow but the cluster is tinted orange which is why the light comes through as orange. let me know cuz i am sick of the orange lights especially at night!

Jason

**kameraguy** · 08-20-2006, 08:06 PM

I believe the first pic if from the Ebay listing, so it shows what the ebay seller was able to do. Unfortunately this did not work out for Sury, right?

Sury, thanks for documeting the process and hopefully you'll be able to get a refund...unless the seller has "proper" versions for your model year. Keep us in the loop and good luck!

**Sury** · 08-20-2006, 08:14 PM

yes thats right kameraguy. the first pic is jus an example of what its "meant" to look like.

so far the guy is trying his best to rectify everything... so we'll see how it goes.

if not i know where he lives

rollinrealbig · 08-20-2006, 08:17 PM

wow what a bummer. I personally like the new AMG guages (white ones) I installed those myself then made the bulbs red and it turned all the lighting red instead of orange. my deck is also red & blue so it matched.

no I didnt even attemp taking off my sterring wheel I already knew I could get it to slide out the side .

**Sury** · 08-20-2006, 08:27 PM

Originally posted by rollinrealbig
wow what a bummer. I personally like the new AMG guages (white ones) I installed those myself then made the bulbs red and it turned all the lighting red instead of orange. my deck is also red & blue so it matched.

got any pics of ur gauges installed and lit up anywhere ?

Originally posted by rollinrealbig
no I didnt even attemp taking off my sterring wheel I already knew I could get it to slide out the side .

and yeah acted first... thought later
i suggest people do the opposite

**NEA-4311** · 08-21-2006, 01:58 AM

If you had hit the search button you would know that you dont need to remove the wheel. I always consult the club even if Im quite sure for something and they (you) always help me out. I hope all of you who read this, now realize the importance of the search button..!

Its really strange what happened by the way, I had a set of blue plasma gauges and sold it for other, irrelevant from the product, reasons on ebay, the buyer was 100% satisfied. Hm... different brand i guess... You should ask for a refund ASAP IMO, OK?..

**alphanumeric** · 08-21-2006, 11:32 AM

whats up with your center console? I only see 2 window switches? what about the rears? also what are those red buttons?

that whole part looks like my w201 center console..

**1995c280** · 08-21-2006, 02:36 PM

thanks guys...if any1 know where to find these gauges that will fit properly let me know as i am really in the market to buy them!

car is 1995 C280...early style cluster with no maintaince recorder!

Jason

**Denlasoul** · 08-21-2006, 02:52 PM

Originally posted by alphanumeric
whats up with your center console? I only see 2 window switches? what about the rears? also what are those red buttons?

that whole part looks like my w201 center console..

Outside the US, rear windows are typically manual. Also notice the seat option.

**trymonlam** · 08-22-2006, 05:32 AM

what kind of interior trim is that? i like it! sick of the wacky MB faux carbon fiber.

rollinrealbig · 08-22-2006, 02:30 PM

best gauges for w202, and simple to install!

**1995c280** · 08-22-2006, 03:46 PM

Originally posted by rollinrealbig

best gauges for w202, and simple to install!

so where did u get yours from and how much if you don't mind. only thing is i have the earlier style cluster (94-95) so your center gauge won't work just the side ones. but i love the look of those. anyone know who sells my cluster gauges????????

Jason

**trymonlam** · 08-22-2006, 06:32 PM

what's the c36 one looks like? if it's anything like yours, jason, it should fit, right? wasn't a member here parting out a c36 earlier?

**1995c280** · 08-22-2006, 06:41 PM

Originally posted by trymonlam
what's the c36 one looks like? if it's anything like yours, jason, it should fit, right? wasn't a member here parting out a c36 earlier?

i believe only the 95' C36 cluster will work. it was benzaddict's car and it WAS a 95'. i inquired about some parts including the cluster but didn't have the $$$$$$$ at the time. that was the week before the South Beach trip, LOL. i'm also not tryin to fork the money for an entire cluster right now cuz i'm concentrating on finishing my system this weekend (entirely redone). so i just need the gauge faces!

also, all the C36 gauges i think were all black backrounds. the white started with the C43. (almost positive)

Jason

**jnolte** · 08-22-2006, 06:41 PM

c43 one is best the ///AMG lights up, dont think it works with pre updated cars although i may be wrong

rollinrealbig · 08-22-2006, 08:22 PM

as far as I know if you have those two LCD screens (digital) it may work ... it worked for me I just swapped the facees, tore em off and stuck em on stock clear plastic thing.

the C36 guages look like this:

and I thought they were spray painted at first (never seem C36 gauges before) and didnt like them AT ALL!

Ok, where did I get mine ? Ebay ... this was my 1st mod ever!

I knew that this was a very cool mod and forked out near $100 for a entire cluster, no IT IS NOT ///AMG!!! it came out of a Sport model W202 00' I think .

where YOU can get one ... search the classifieds, I remember a member had a set of white one (AMG or Sport model aint sure) but was selling it dirt cheap . and I payed $100 + all the work of putting them in.

rollinrealbig · 08-22-2006, 08:25 PM

@Sury .... Ok I know why yours dont line up ... they are made for the old style speedo's which are not digitol and have those digits rolling. Im sure if you buy a set of white ones from AMG or sport they would fit NP

**Dubbin'** · 08-22-2006, 11:35 PM

You had a problem with the needle lining up??? I VDO cluster, your supposted to wind the needle counter clockwise 1mm past the zero point.. when you let go it bounces back up just above the zero point, but after you start your ignition it should fall back to zero.
The needles on the speedo, and the tach both move at the same rate. So you can actually make their start point wherever you want it to be.. You can even make your own gauges if you have a template for a design. But that might be a little too ambitous.

Thats how the VDO clusters work though. Just wind them counter clockwise 1mm past zero mph.. or zero rpm. They bounce up above. Start the car. They work fine.
You can try it if you want.. Or just return the gauges.

**Dubbin'** · 08-22-2006, 11:38 PM

...annnnd also keep in mind. If you do decide to roll with the new gauges. They don't match any other interior light in your car. Everything else lights up that dull orange color.. and you cluster will be bright white and blue.. Unless you plan on changing out every other led and colored film..

**grga** · 08-23-2006, 02:10 PM

Could you guys find the Part Number (if it has one) for white C230K gaudges? I've been loking for it on several sides but I couldn't find it...
:-(

**Sury** · 08-24-2006, 08:53 PM

Originally posted by rollinrealbig
@Sury .... Ok I know why yours dont line up ... they are made for the old style speedo's which are not digitol and have those digits rolling. Im sure if you buy a set of white ones from AMG or sport they would fit NP

!@#%

So 94-95 models have an early cluster design and My 96 model and onwards have a new cluster design right ?!

THAT i didn't know. The guy who sold it said it fits all W202s.
PLUS his phone is now 'coincidentally' disconnected. I guess they will just go up on ebay then with proper info about them. Anyone on here wanting to buy them ??

**Sury** · 08-24-2006, 09:02 PM

Originally posted by trymonlam
what kind of interior trim is that? i like it! sick of the wacky MB faux carbon fiber.

are u talkin about the seat trims ? cos if u are I'll gladly swap u my ugly cloth for leather ones

Originally posted by alphanumeric
whats up with your center console? I only see 2 window switches? what about the rears? also what are those red buttons?

that whole part looks like my w201 center console..

Yeah no rear power windows and the red things, girlfriend toys

**trymonlam** · 08-25-2006, 06:38 AM

no, dude, the dash trim. what is it?

**1995c280** · 08-25-2006, 01:53 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sury
[B]!@#%

So 94-95 models have an early cluster design and My 96 model and onwards have a new cluster design right ?!

yup that's correct!

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