E Class / W210 - Heater controls bulb replacement

[Cliff_G]

I've searched around and can find the answer to this question for other models, but still no luck on mine....

1997 W210 E320 Avantgarde

One of the fan speed control s back-light bulb has gone.

It looks like you need to get the upper wood panel out to change it. This is not the type where you pull the heater knobs off and the bulb is behind a flap and you remove it with a bit of tubing. If you try this, all you can see is the switch detent mechanism.

It looks like the upper wood panel (with the stereo, temp control wheels and fan speed / air selection controls in it) has to come off, but I can't even begin to see how this comes off.

HEEEELLLLLLPPP!!

Thx in advance

 

[Cliff_G]

Answer

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1069 gave the clue.

OK, here's a how-to.

This applies to those models where the centre panel console has two heater control knobs - one for fan speed and one for air direction/selection. Outboard of these are the two front-passenger temperature control wheels, between them are the heated rear screen and aircon Economy switch.

This cluster of controls is lit by only two bulbs - one behind each of the rotary fan /air direction switches, and the light to the outer, inner and upper switches carried by plastic light conduits.

To replace one of these bulbs, first set the rotary switch to point outwards - to the NS for the NS switch etc. Then carefully pull the rotary knob off - fingers just behind the flange will help.

You will see the control detent mechanism, but the switch pre-positioning mentioned above reveals a small white plastic cover, in a sort of flat-sided diamond shape, no larger than 15 mm tall x 10 mm wide, at the side to the outboard side of the car. If it is not obvious, rotate the knob again until it is. This cover is retained by the larger of the two clear plastic pillars, the other hole being unpillared (at least on my car it was - maybe it broke before that!).

This plastic cover hides the bulb. It is not obvious that the bulb is behind there - but take the rotary switch off the side that is working, turn the car side-lights on, and you'll see it light up behind there!

The plastic cover is a soft plastic, and will bend a bit and not break, but don't force it. Take a small electrical screwdriver to the end at the large retaining pillar and gently lever it out. The bulb is revealed.

Take a piece of small tubing that fits snugly over the bulb you have bought, and slip it over the bulb, and withdraw it. I actually did this with tweezers, but be careful as if you break the bulb....

The bulb is a standard behind-panel 12 V 1.2 W wedge-base bulb. However, if you buy one of these from any old auto shop, some of them are less well dimensionally-controlled than the Merc ones. Try and buy one with a plastic formed base, not an all-glass bulb. Mine was all-glass and eventually fitted, but not easily.

Ensure the contact wires are streaming up the bulb neatly and parallel, then insert the bulb using your tubing or tweezers. The axis of the bulb is vertical - initially it can look like it ought to go with the flat bit horizontal, but not so on mine.

Carefully press home and re-assemble - having tested it works Before you reassemble.

£££'s saved. 8)

HTH

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Keywords:

E-Class W210 bulb bulbs replace heater controls centre console centre panel switches fan control air direction control