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Home >> Mercedes Benz >> 1996 >> SL320 >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Accessories & Equipment >> Gauges & Instrument Panels >> Instrument Panel >> Description & Operation

Description & Operation

WARNING: Deactivate air bag system before performing any service operation. See appropriate AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM article.

DO NOT apply electrical power to any component on steering column without first deactivating air bag system. Air bag may deploy.

Instrument cluster uses analog type gauges which include: speedometer, tachometer, clock, fuel gauge, fuel economy indicator gauge (if equipped), oil pressure gauge, coolant temperature gauge, and LCD outside temperature display, mounted under speedometer. Warning light bar indicators include: exterior light failure, brake pad wear, low engine oil and engine coolant levels, and low windshield washer level. See Fig 1 .

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Automatic Slip Control (ASR), and Adaptive Damping System (ADS) malfunction warning indicators are also located in light bar.

Speedometer is electronic, with the speed sensor located in rear of transmission. An electric oil pressure sensor is used on all models.

Fig 1: Exploded View Of Instrument Cluster (Typical)
G92A00299Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Fuel and temperature gauges use variable resistance sensors. The gauge panel containing the fuel gauge, fuel economy indicator gauge, oil pressure gauge, coolant temperature gauge and warning buzzer must be replaced as a complete assembly.

When ignition is turned on, SRS warning light illuminates along with other instrument panel lights. If no faults are in SRS, warning light will go out after about 4-10 seconds with engine off, or will go out immediately when engine is started.

If SRS warning light remains on, this indicates a fault exists in system. Light will remain on until fault is corrected and memory is cleared. If warning light fails to illuminate when ignition is turned on, bulb is faulty, and/or wire to bulb is shorted to ground. For further air bag information, see appropriate AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM article: