Hi Everyone,

I have a 94 C280 that's been running fairly warm recently. The temp. gauge would always be in the upper third, so I had it checked out and it was the thermostat that needed replacement. Now when I'm driving it stays around 80 degrees C except when I'm stuck in bumper to bumper traffic. It then creeps up to 100 degrees C. It doesn't really climb down until I can get on the open road which it will drop down back to 80 or sometimes 90. I can hear the fans kick on and off. Should I get something else checked out?

Also I just got back from dinner when the valet must have thrown the shifter really hard because now when I shift the **** feels really loose and there is a clicking noise as I'm shifting. Its an automatic. I don't have any problems when I'm driving it just feels weird when I put it in D and its pretty loose where I can move it around really easily. Any ideas on this?

Last thing is there any pictures of disassembly of the cluster? I need to replace one of the bulbs since the middle part of the cluster is darker than the rest. I hear its not easy, so pictures would help. How much would a shop charge to change it out?

Thanks for your help.

 

The answers to the dash removal question can be solved by searching this site. This isn't a great site for general questions. I strongly advise you to also look at club202.com.

 

I don't know about the temperatures that you're seeing. My '94 C280 usually runs below the 100C mark. Thats here in Dallas TX where it gets around 100F during summer.

Pulling out the cluster isn't too hard once you get the knack of it. Mercedes has a tool but I use two coat hangers with 1/4" hook on them. I also usually remove the knee panel on the drivers side and push from behind. There's some more info out there on the internet that helped me. Keep looking. You'll want to get the replacement bulbs from MB since they have a special plastic connector. Don't do what I did and start the car with the cluster disconnected. That sets some sort of error code on your SRS system.

 

i have 94 C220...

i also had temp problems... just yesterday coolant started to leek from GOD KNOWS where... i checked that out & the garage guy showed me that the water pump had become rusted & was not working properly...i had to change FAN DRIVE, WATER PUMP & THERMOSTAT. Now the temp is fine. You just go & make the water pump checekd out.

Regarding the gear ****, i think you need to change bushings of the gear which make it hold on. it is just underneeth the system.

Hope you have a good drive with this PROBLEMETIC C-CLASS

 

i had the same temp problem with my old c220 and it turned out to be the viscous fan coupling,the easy way to check is open the bonnet and run the engine til it gets tp near the 100 mark,then get a freind to turn the engine off while you look at the viscous fan,if the fan stops quickly it is ok but if it keeps spinning freely then the fan coupling is faulty..part was expensive in u.k but easy to fit...hope this helps