Hi,
It sounds like a Wiring Problem. Kindly check all the Wiring and make sure they are well secured.
Note - The mechanical instrument cluster is an electromechanical module that receives most of its information directly from the various control modules, with the data bus.
The cluster includes:
1. A speedometer (10)
2. A tachometer (14)
3. A fuel gauge (2)
4. A coolant Temperature gauge (1)
A Faulty Instrument Cluster would also show all these symptoms.
Let me know, if needed further assistance.
Hope i helped you.
Thanks for using ' Fixya ' and have a nice day!!
Hello, not a good thing draining the battery which indeed will, I don't want to guess at this, but can give you some things that you can check out on your own to try and solve this.Mike, there may be a circuit grounded out causing this, but where you would have to have the meters and knowledge to check this out. What I would do, it to locate where all of you're fuses are for Instrument lights and dash lights and go from there. If you can let me know if the lights in question come on when you turn on the light switch, or the key would be helpful.If you have the owners manual, this will tell you the location of fuses and what they protect. Look the fuse block over for any signs of burned areas, etc. What is happening is, a switch that would be in a normally open position, (may) have welded the contacts closed sending voltage to the lights in question at all times. Locate fuses, there could be to locations, normally on drivers side under dash, and also under hood in a plastic box marked Elect. fuses and relays.You're owners manual will tell you as you should have to locations. You can also call you're local auto parts store and ask, or better yet, the Mercedes dealer. You can when you locate fuses, start removing them one by one until the lights go out.This will keep you're battery up until the exact problem is located. I know this is quite a long Temp solution, but just some things you can check on your own. Please keep me posted, Sincerely,
Shastalaker7
Hi there ...when you get the key out ...all those things should shut down ...so ..the problem its a short circuit .or a bad wiring .....but ...only those lights aren't enough to drain the juice out of the accumulator ...so ..those lights are the result of a contact to a bigger consumer ..that's in fault or just plane dead and its shorting your battery ... the way to fix it ..its to go b the wires...cause if its in error ..and has bad contacts no diagnostic tool will make any presumptions ..that can became real
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I agree that the LEDS for the clock, outside temp and odometer will not drain the battery quickly. But they will drain the battery over time. The car is not used much. The courtesy lights in the rear door also were on but I just pulled the light bulbs out.
Perhaps the root cause is a short , in a wire or switch. Or maybe it is in a integrated circuit / controller located somewhere.
I was hoping to hear from a Mercedes expert who knows how this car is wired and if there is a particular place to look to isolate this issue. For example the fuse for the clock, odemeter, and outside temp also powers the entire instrument panel. But the other lights work properly. So what device allows power to the LEDs for clock, outside temp and odeometer sepereate from the feed that goes to the rest of the instrument cluster and where is it located. Maybe someone has a schematic for the 1996 200 E and can see how the LEDs can be feed power seperate from the rest of teh instrument cluster.
Please see previous information.
Would like feedback on what is likely root cause of instrument LEDS (clock, outside temp, odometer)not shuting off. Need someone who knows how Mercedes 1996 200E instrument LED circuit is connected. Is problem form some type of illumination controller or a simple dimmer switch malfunction or something else. I hear that this era Mercedes had a number of strange electrical problems. If so maybe this fault has a known root cause.
Hello,
Thankyou for your reply. I have located the correct fuse to turn off the LEDs. The same fuse powers all the instruments and associated lights on the instrument cluster. I currently am pulling the fuse when I park the car for long periods of time. The LEDS are supposed to be off when the ignition turns off. The LEDS (clock, outside temp, odometer) currently stay on all the time. I do not know for sure but Mercedes might use some type of illumination management controller (computer chip) to control the timing and management of various interior light requirements. In that case maybe there is a problem with this component. It also could be somehow tied to the ignition switch since the lights need to go on and off when the key is turned. Perhaps the key is tied to a relay that controls these lights. This is what I want to know. What turns on the LEDS and where is it located?
I guess I need someone who knows these Mercedes cars or has access to the schematic (wiring diagram) and can see how these lights get power after the fuse.
If you have access to someone with specific knowledge or information on a 1996 200 E please ask them .
Regards,
Mike
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