C180 Auto Selector Light Replacement

[joneseythedog]

Dear All

I'm attempting to check/replace the light for the gear selector (it was on and off for a while and is now very definitely off). I've looked through most of the posts on here, and have seen a diagram of the selector mechanism but no concrete suggestions as to how the bulb is replaced - do I really have to remove the gear lever etc just to change this bulb?

Any advice would be appreciated,

Andrew

 

[television]

Hopefully some one will see the post in the morning, if they do not please re post

 

[joneseythedog]

going out there with my toolbox........

 

[philharve]

LEDs or long-lasting filament lamps

Hi All

As a matter of interest, are the backlighting lamps in Mercedes vehicles LEDS or long-lasting filament bulbs? Or maybe they are a mix of technologies?

REGARDS

Phil

 

[joneseythedog]

Well, after removing the odds & ends tray that sits between the selector box and the front console I found an entry point at the front of the selector box for the bulb wiring. Some moulding prevented me from having a good look at this, so I tried to get the top off (this is the part that has the gear numbers on).

I found a clip on the end nearest the back of the car. Freeing this enabled me to lift the top slightly, but it is still being held in place by something else. I have applied a fair bit of leverage, but it is not coming off and I am afraid of destroying it.

Does anyone know how to do this? I'd hate to have to take the car to the garage for the sake of a little light bulb!

Andrew

 

[joneseythedog]

Any ideas anyone?

 

[Dec]

Use no screwdrivers fingers only. The wood panel that surrounds the gear stick is removed by opening the curved cubby hole wood door just behind the mirror-selecting switch, get the tips of your finger under the mirror-selecting switch as best you can and pull straight up.

Now turn your attention to the front and try and get the tips of your fingers under the wood where it meets the long coin/pen tray and pull up.

You should now have the wood gear stick surround free, detach the drivers front and back window switches by pulling off and tilt the surround out of your way.

Remove the long coin/pen tray by pulling up with fingers.

Get a small mirror and put into where long coin/pen tray was and you will see/feel wires going up to a point just “north east” of the letter P release, gently pull down on the wires and a bulb in a holder will emerge.

I can do some pictures if you need but I will need an email address via a PM as I am having trouble posting pictures at the moment.

Remember no screwdrivers just fingers.

Dec

 

[joneseythedog]

Thanks Dec

That looks really helpful.

The bl00dy thing came back on last night. Must've been something to do with the unusually humpy speed bumps I had to go over. I'll do it anyway though.

I'd got as far as removing all the bits last week, (except for the lid with the numbers on), and had tentatively grasped the wires with some pliers, but was afraid to pull in case they snapped. I didn't have a mirror, so could only feel around. I'll try again at the weekend, and will let you know how I get on.

Andrew

 

[Dec]

Andrew, in my last post where I say “north east” this should read “north west” and the word “release” should not be there following the letter P…I cant edit my post for some strange reason even though it says at the bottom of this page that I can.

You will not need to remove the “lid with the numbers on” it is a simple job when you remove the gear surround and unplug the two driver’s side window switches.

When you pull the bulb holder down, turn on the parking lights and by handling the bulb holder it is likely the bulb will come on and off. The problem in my case was not the bulb but the bulb holder however I installed a new bulb 1.2 watt wedge type all glass…Halfords number 286, the light occasionally goes off and then back on again, similar problem to yourself I think.

Dec

 

[joneseythedog]

Sorted!

Thanks for the advice Dec - I couldn't have done this otherwise. I had to remove the ashtray part of the console to get a good grip though. As an additional note, the bulb holder has a short white plastic 'tail' that sticks out with the wires. This could be grabbed with pliers if needs be.

I just have to sort the outside temperature sensor and check the duo valve and the central console blower now....

Andrew

 

[Dec]

It’s a very fiddley job, it can be done without taking the ashtray out, a small child would be very usefully if you have large hands. I couldn’t post any pictures last week but it is o.k. again now.

Dec

 

[johno2004]

Thanks all,
yes it came off as you described

 

[gazzab]

hi. Trying to sort my clk transmission lights. Got it all apart but can't get to the bulb! Help! Can see about 6 wires going into the north west position of the p. Can't for the life of me get the plug/bulb holder to come out . Any ideas?

 

[Dec]

Is your car identical to the pictures above? It’s a C180 1994, what year and what car do you have? Yours may not be the same.

Dec

 

[gazzab]

Mine is not the same but the same process seems to apply ie lift off the trim around the gear selector, remove ash tray, pull away sound deadening material and expose top of transmission selector. You can see two inputs - one is the cable that leads to the ignition and the other is a few wires that seem to probably include a bulb?

Mine is a 2002 CLK - pretty much the same era/model??!!

 

[Dec]

There is a lot of years between the two cars and it’s likely some things have changed over that time.

The only things I can think of is that possibly the bulb holder has first to be twisted or there is some kind of catch that must be released first before it will come out.

Or perhaps the wires you are looking at have nothing to do with the bulb and the bulb holder enters the selector lettering on the opposite side of where it is located in the above picture. I attempted to find that bulb on two separate occasions without success, it was only with the aid a mirror that I eventually located it.

I’m not familiar with your car and don’t want to mislead you, hopefully someone with the same car will advise.

Try putting your VIN number (outside bottom of windscreen) in here and follow the links. Look for GEARSHIFT MECHANISM



Dec

 

[mandrake]

It’s a very fiddley job, it can be done without taking the ashtray out, a small child would be very usefully if you have large hands. I couldn’t post any pictures last week but it is o.k. again now.

Dec

looks rather fiddly .think at this moment the quick tap to iluminate may keep on, untill the bulb gives up the ghost ,thanks very much