Just picked up an 02 S55 w/ 74,000 miles (my first). Two days ago, the instrument panel totally shut off. Although the car drives, the gauges (e.g., speedometer, etc.) don't light up and haven't even returned to "0". Subsequently, the horn now sounds like a wounded cow. Is this a typical problem that's easily corrected (e.g., reset button, fuse), or sign of a larger issue?

 

u probbably need an instrument cluster, u can remove the cluster on that vehicle with mb radio keys. an authorized mb dealer would be best to replace it because the new cluster will have to be coded. and there is alot to code in that instrument cluster

 

I just joined the forum , so this is a month late but anyway...

I had this same problem in my BMW 540i. The dealer couldn't service it the Friday it died, and I didn't want to wait all weekend. So I tackled it myself.

The fix was to pull fuses that sounded dashboard related from the fusebox until the power to the instrument panel was killed, and all the needles fell to zero. Then pop the fuse back in and SUCCESS!!!

Basiclly it was just rebooting the instrument panel. Saved big $$$ no doubt.

 

I have a 2001CL55 and the instrument panel blacked out similar it sounds to yours. On the forum a member informed me it was the BUZ 102 power distribution transistor embeded in the cluster. These MOSFET transistors are made by Infineon and are difficult to get in the quantity of three which you need. I had to buy 25 from a company in Texas. On the cluster's circuit panel I infact noted one of the BUZ 102 to be blown and I soldered only one of the three I was instructed to, and now the cluster is working except the backlight is not right. I have not had time to further repair, but am happy speedometer fuel gauge and other cluster components work. I had difficult time getting the instrument cluster out, but if you know where the clips are it would have been easy. I will do research and get message on forum that made my actions possible. Good luck and let me know if I cn be of assistance garibaef