'76 W200
i recently removed the guage cluster in my truck to replace and fix a bunch of dash/interior lights that where not working. While removing my guage cluster a part of the board on the back got a bit damaged. I purchased a used cluster, which I believe to be out of a '79. After receiving the used cluster I noticed this one has two capacitors soldered to the board, my original cluster does not. What is the purpose of the capacitors and would it be an issue if I used it in replace of the original cluster I took out.

Original cluster out of my '76 W200

Used cluster i purchased with capacitors

Back side of my original cluster

Back side of used cluster i purchased

Damage on board of my original cluster

 

The layout and type of components used on the cluster PCB varied slight over the years. The use of condensers (aka capacitors) or resistors were added to help suppress radio noise from the voltage limiter contacts opening and closing. It's possible to interchange PCB with cluster housings but, modification may be needed by adding holes for the different component layouts.

The oil gauge and the oil light use different sending units. Make sure you install the correct sender on the engine for the gauge type you wish to use.

If you use the "oil gauge" do not install a light socket behind it. This causes the bulb filament to short across the oil gauge causing weird read outs (not that the stock gauge is accurate to begin with.) That socket is only used for the "oil warning light". It is not a backlight.

You may also consider bypassing the amp gauge more on that below:
http://www.madelectrical.com/electri...p-gauges.shtml

 

If the damage you are concerned about is what is shown in the last picture, I wouldn't even thing twice about it. I little bit of solder work would fix it anyway. I'd keep using the stock one and sell the new one.

 

Thank you for all of your responses, you've answered all my questions.