Gauge failure 190E 2.6

Pasha95 · 09-25-2008, 11:18 PM

The fuel, oil pressure and water temp gauges suddenly stopped registering but the speedo, tach and clock are fine. Does anyone have any suggestions as to a fix?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions

MTI · 09-25-2008, 11:28 PM

Assuming all the fuses are in good order (you did check, right?) then the likely culprit is a broken ground contact to the left side of the cluster. The ground is provided by a small spot weld between the left and center clusters.

Try giving the dash a good whack and see if the jolt restores function, even if just briefly.

Pasha95 · 09-28-2008, 07:42 PM

Well, I did give the fuses a cursory glance and the one in question looked ok so that's the reason for the request. But(dah!), I didn't look closely enough for the tiny break in the fuse. Thanks for your help and I certainly should have been more observant.

Pufflekins · 09-28-2008, 10:04 PM

This seems like a good place to ask my question without starting a thread aswel. My economy guage doesn't seem to work(neither does my odometer but that is straight up broken, not sure whether or not it is a cable or the odometer itself). I haven't checked the fuse panels, I also don't know how to tell if the fuse is burnt out while checking it.

MTI · 09-30-2008, 11:00 PM

The "Economy" gauge is purely mechanical, not electrical. It works via a vacuum line connection from the back of the cluster to the intake mainfold of the engine. The typical failure is from a disconnected hose or leak in the tubing.

The VDO odometers are notorious for breaking, particularly if the driver presses the reset button while the car is in motion. Other cars that use the same system and suffer the same fate are Porsche and Volvo. The culprit is a the gear coming loose from a metal tab that holds it in place against the other gears. There are plenty of DIY repair instructions on the web. Google "VDO Odometer Repair"

The torpedo style fuses that MB uses in our cars, with their aluminum contacts have a couple of problems. First, there's the di-electric corrosion from having aluminum contacting the copper fuse clips. I would suggest that the aluminum fuses be replaced with copper clad ones. Second, the aluminum ones, and some of the smaller copper ones, can suffer from very tiny cracks that will act like a blown fuse and when checking the status of a fuse, an ohm meter is the best way.

sun111 · 12-03-2008, 10:58 PM

multiprong connector on back of cluster may be loose. It can be reached if left dash heater
vent is removed.

SMJF · 12-04-2008, 01:48 PM

Hi Pasha 95!, the same thing happened to 190E 2.6 1992. And was solved by changing the fuse Nº9(15Amp). This is located in the fuse box , under the hood, rigth hand. Good Luck.

Runninrebel211 · 12-07-2008, 01:11 AM

My gas gauge is wonky so after reading around on these forums. Some recommended smacking the dash board. And it works! When I get time I will take it out and re solder the grounding contact.

09-25-2008, 11:18 PM	#1
Pasha95 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 19	Gauge failure 190E 2.6 The fuel, oil pressure and water temp gauges suddenly stopped registering but the speedo, tach and clock are fine. Does anyone have any suggestions as to a fix? Thanks in advance for your suggestions

09-28-2008, 07:42 PM	#3
Pasha95 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 19	Gauge problem Well, I did give the fuses a cursory glance and the one in question looked ok so that's the reason for the request. But(dah!), I didn't look closely enough for the tiny break in the fuse. Thanks for your help and I certainly should have been more observant.

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09-25-2008, 11:28 PM	#2
MTI MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 2,596	Assuming all the fuses are in good order (you did check, right?) then the likely culprit is a broken ground contact to the left side of the cluster. The ground is provided by a small spot weld between the left and center clusters. Try giving the dash a good whack and see if the jolt restores function, even if just briefly.

09-28-2008, 10:04 PM	#4
Pufflekins Newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4	This seems like a good place to ask my question without starting a thread aswel. My economy guage doesn't seem to work(neither does my odometer but that is straight up broken, not sure whether or not it is a cable or the odometer itself). I haven't checked the fuse panels, I also don't know how to tell if the fuse is burnt out while checking it.

09-30-2008, 11:00 PM	#5
MTI MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 2,596	The "Economy" gauge is purely mechanical, not electrical. It works via a vacuum line connection from the back of the cluster to the intake mainfold of the engine. The typical failure is from a disconnected hose or leak in the tubing. The VDO odometers are notorious for breaking, particularly if the driver presses the reset button while the car is in motion. Other cars that use the same system and suffer the same fate are Porsche and Volvo. The culprit is a the gear coming loose from a metal tab that holds it in place against the other gears. There are plenty of DIY repair instructions on the web. Google "VDO Odometer Repair" The torpedo style fuses that MB uses in our cars, with their aluminum contacts have a couple of problems. First, there's the di-electric corrosion from having aluminum contacting the copper fuse clips. I would suggest that the aluminum fuses be replaced with copper clad ones. Second, the aluminum ones, and some of the smaller copper ones, can suffer from very tiny cracks that will act like a blown fuse and when checking the status of a fuse, an ohm meter is the best way.

12-03-2008, 10:58 PM	#6
sun111 Almost a Member! Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 34	multiprong connector on back of cluster may be loose. It can be reached if left dash heater vent is removed.

12-04-2008, 01:48 PM	#7
SMJF Newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3	Hi Pasha 95!, the same thing happened to 190E 2.6 1992. And was solved by changing the fuse Nº9(15Amp). This is located in the fuse box , under the hood, rigth hand. Good Luck.

12-07-2008, 01:11 AM	#8
Runninrebel211 Almost a Member! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 30	My gas gauge is wonky so after reading around on these forums. Some recommended smacking the dash board. And it works! When I get time I will take it out and re solder the grounding contact.