Help PLEASE! C220 CDI W202 Indicator Multifunction switch removal

[Mikimogo]

Hi all,
I have a problem with the headlight flasher on the steering column multifswitch switch. I have removed the airbag and steering wheel but underneath is a black plastic plate with 2 holes for screw access but no matter what I do I can't remove this plate, in fact I have now cracked the plate! it's the one that has the plug on for the horn & airbag wires. Underneath it is a black plastic spool with a ribbon cable wrapped round it many times, until I can find how to remove the plastic plate and spool I can't get at the combination switch to sort it out and repair or replace the plate, if anyone can help me I would be very grateful as at the moment I am rendered immobile.

 

[television]

So you want to remove the clock spring from a 202

I will post back in a few mins

 

[television]

I have Emailed the instructions to you

 

[Mikimogo]

Hi Television,
Thanks for the PDF, I did try to undo that connector without any luck. I'll get my magniying glass and go and have another go now. By the way what is the clock spring?

 

[television]

The clock spring is the ribbon coil going around inside, its so that the steering wheel can be turned keeping the electrical contact

 

[Mikimogo]

Hi Malcolm,
Well I've just tried to get the wiring connector out again but no luck, I've lifted the plastic clip well clear of the notch in the connector plug while looking through my head magnifier and the plug feels loose and I can move it forwards and backwards about quarter of an inch but it won't come out. whether it's corroded into whatever's on the other side I don't know. I'll Spray some electrical cleaner down it tomorrow when I've disconnected the battery again to see if that loosens the plug connections.
On the PDF you sent me it says undo the Only unscrew fixing bolts (32h) as far as
necessary to remove spring contact (A45) I have undone the fixing bolts partly but what and where are the spring contacts? Is that what the actual black plate is called? if so undoing the fixing bolts until the head of them clears the hole that they are situated in doesn't seem to help either

 

[television]

What is the year of the car please

 

[Mikimogo]

Hi Malcolm,
The year is 2000 on a v plate. I have found the trick! You don't have to take off the clock spring contact plate or unplug it, what the trick is undo the 2 fixing screws 32H until they come through the 2 holes in the clock spring contact plate but are not taken out and then just pull the 2 pillars standing up on the clock spring contact plate and it all comes straight out as one assembly (Don't let the 2 fixing screws fall out as they keep the clock spring in the correct position) when you have pulled the clock spring out just screw the screws in so just the points on the end of the screws are just showing through the underside of the Clock Spring this stops the clock spring unwinding.
Now my last problem is to get the instrument cluster out while the steering wheel is off to check the contacts as some parts of the LCD numbers keep disappearing and a few days later they come back. There are no holes for the special tools which is one of the options in my manual and the other is put your hands up behind the cluster and push but I've tried that until it's ripped my skin to bits and it won't budge! any ideas.
If nothing springs to mind I'll start another thread on that problem but thanks very much for all your help and advice so far.

 

[television]

Thanks for the feedback, the clock spring changed in 09-99

Pleased that you have fixed it. I know that MB let you borrow a clock spring retainer that keeps it intact while you remove it

 

[steve kane]

Malcolm, I dont suppose this PDF is still available and relevant to my 1995 model 202?
Steve.

Hi Malcolm,
.
On the PDF you sent me it says undo the Only unscrew fixing bolts (32h) as far as
necessary to remove spring contact (A45) I have undone the fixing bolts partly but what and where are the spring contacts? Is that what the actual black plate is called? if so undoing the fixing bolts until the head of them clears the hole that they are situated in doesn't seem to help either

 

[television]

Yes I can send it too you

 

[steve kane]

Many thanks indeed Malcolm, I cracked the 10mm bolt free with the help of my son just as it was getting dark so I have left it for tonight, but I now have a better idea what Im dealing with.
I see that in another post you said that the "clock spring changed in 09-99" do you think I could probably source one from any 202 up to sept 1999 for my 1995 model? if so Im sure it will make it easier for me to get one from the breakers.
Once again many thanks, your help is much appriciated.
Steve.

 

[television]

Yes any 202 up to 97 or8 to be sure,,you could ask rob parker here

 

[steve kane]

Hello, well today I removed the Clock Spring, there are one or two points worth mentioning for anyone else tackleing the job, after removeing the Steering Wheel you can see the Clock Spring assembly sitting there, its the Black Plastic Disc with the wires for Horn and Air-Bag, you will see two small Phillips Screws which you can undo, I dont think its nessesary to be too bothered by how much, but as you go try lifting the Disc and after quite a bit of unscrewing the Disc will come free and slide up the colum. Based on what Michael states above, on 1998 and later cars the Clockspring Assembly (the black Plastic Disc) will have pulled off of its Electrical Connector so that you will have just the Clock Spring disc with the wires to the horns/Airbag protrudeing from the front, on its underside will be an electrical socket. However the earlier cars do not have the Plug In type Clock Spring, and its ness to remove the Trim under the Steering Wheel, and disconect the Horn and Airbag Plugs. the Red Airbag plug is a "bastard" its hard to get to and you cannot see how it unplugs, its actually a two part plug in a plastic holder, stick a screwdriver up the outside of the Red Plug and it will unclip from the holder then its easy to plull the two halfs apart.
Refitting is just be a matter of popping it all back after making sure the wound up disc ( it actually contains a coiled ribbon of 4 core wire) is half wound/half unwound, I think the process is wind it fully clockwise and unwind it 3 complete turns, but you need to check this for your car, clearly its to prevent a situation where on full lock you are stretching the wires. I hope this helps and good luck.

 

[television]

Pleased that you completed the task

 

[steve kane]

Many thanks Michael, however Im still looking for a right Clock Spring for my car, the older type with the connectors above the pedals, I discovered the info above after finding a C180 being broken near to me, took off the Clock Spring only to find that it was a newer plug in type, I did wonder if it would be possible to start swopping the other bits to make it fit, but I have been down that route before and it often ends in tears, so I did not bother.
I will post a advt in the spares section for this C180 though as it looks like there are some good parts on it quite reasonable prices too.
Steve.