The speedometer and RPM counter on my car is malfunctioning. Ihave a 1994 Mercedes C200 Elegance...</P>


From time to time it just doesnt want to move when i start driving. It normally start working about 2 to 5 minutes after i start driving. Then it pops up to 80km/h or 2500rpmin a second and works perfectly while i'm driving.</P>


What can be wrong?</P>

 

I have had that problem in a Pontiac, a Honda and a Volvo(I lived in a very humid region), have you tried the old fashioned smack the dashboard when it don't work? if it does work its very probably : </P>


1. wiring harness connection, its either loose or corroded. From underneath the steering wheel, access the rear of the gauge assembly and verify the connections, checking the connections in the transmission is a little trickier (the gauges are accesible on all cars this way, this is how I fixed the Pontiac and the Volvo).</P>


2. The gauges are literally sticky due to excess moisture/corrosion, in which case I will not risktelling youhow to fix that (found out that this was the problem in the Honda,dissassembled thedashboardto reach the gauge cluster,sprayed contact cleaner inside and ended up having to replace the cluster 'cuz it "melted"from the solvents andTHAT was expensive).

</P>

 

It works normally when i smack the dash (who says violence doesnt solve anything?)... But sometimes it doesnt... The car is filled with water since i live in western Norway and the sunroof is leaky...</P>

 

Jan,</P>


I have the exact same problem with a 94' c180. This appers to be an issue during winter driving. These problemsseemsto be present for several car types. I haveexperience with BMW's thathave bad solvents in their electronic dashbords, but they are very easy to fix just by resolving these points. Have youfound a good solution, tips appreciated.</P>