Instrument switch ID in W124

[drayon]

Nice forum ;-)

I have a 1988 230E, to the left of the multi positioning rotary headlight switch there is a vertical rolling wheel with O, 1, 2, 3 increments. Im totally at a loss as to the function of this control. There appears to be a printed headlight icon above this wheel. The icon illustrating the function of the wheel suggests headlights are able to be angled up or down. I failed to find any obvious function to this little instrument.

Perhaps someone would care to enlighten me?

In fact is there any online source which describes the function of all the switches and controls in the 230E?

Best

 

[190]

The rotary wheel is for adjusting your headlights you need the car running before it is operational.

 

[jberks]

It adjusts the headlight beam height up or down to compensate for when the rear of the car is loaded (back end down, headlights pointing into space). Normal setting is 1 and it is vacuum operated so may need the engine running to operate. Park the car pointing at a wall (10 feet back), put the headlights on and move the switch up and down. You should see the beam pattern move.

 

[drayon]

Really appreciate your replys, so i thank u again.

I have one last query.

To the left of the Ignition key is a up/down switch seems to be something to do with lighting again, not sure exactly what this does. FYI, the orange hazard light switch is just to the left of this.

The headlight rotary switch. On the far left position it appears to be a setting for the left park light, one turn to the right appears to be the right park light, however these 2 settings dont appear to have any effect...ideas on what they are? I think the next setting (middle) is Off. To the right from middle appears to be both park lights, but pulling this rotary switch 'OUT' appears to make these lights brighter, push back in they dim then turn the switch to the end right position seems to turn on the outer most lights. Pulling the switch out again in this position brightens these outter lights as well as the 2 inner lights, yet there is still a highbeam stalk off the steering column.

This seems to be a pretty comprehensive lighting array. Would any care to recommend any online source which describes all of these instrument controls, im sure a few hidden ones will be learned like the dashboard light adjusted by the odometer reset stick :roll:

best

 

[calum]

To the left of the Ignition key is a up/down switch seems to be something to do with lighting again, not sure exactly what this does. FYI, the orange hazard light switch is just to the left of this.

I can't remember this; can you post a wee pic of it?

The headlight rotary switch. On the far left position it appears to be a setting for the left park light, one turn to the right appears to be the right park light, however these 2 settings dont appear to have any effect...ideas on what they are?

They are indeed the left and right park lights. I think perhaps they only work with the ignition off.

I think the next setting (middle) is Off. To the right from middle appears to be both park lights, but pulling this rotary switch 'OUT' appears to make these lights brighter, push back in they dim then turn the switch to the end right position seems to turn on the outer most lights. Pulling the switch out again in this position brightens these outter lights as well as the 2 inner lights, yet there is still a highbeam stalk off the steering column.

Pulling the switch out - there should be two "out" positions - is for the front and rear fog lights. These would be more obvious if you look from outside whilst someone else operated the switch

This seems to be a pretty comprehensive lighting array. Would any care to
recommend any online source which describes all of these instrument controls, im sure a few hidden ones will be learned like the dashboard light adjusted by the odometer reset stick :roll:

Have you asked your local dealer to see if they can locate a manual?

 

[drayon]

hi calum,

the switch i was talking about

best

 

[calum]

I'm getting "connection refused" from that webserver; will try again later.

 

[jberks]

I get connection refused too.
It's not the rear interior light switch is it. On/Off button with a picture of a light on it. Just turns the rear inside light on.

 

[drayon]

should be fine now

 

[190]

looks like the switch for the rear interior light

 

[drayon]

as i suspected. hrm too bad it doesnt work. perhaps a bulb replacement.

thanks for your help

 

[calum]

Yup, rear interior light - makes me all nostalgic for my old 300TE

 

[marshie001]

ive been thinking.....my 200 te has the headlight adjust scroll switch aswell, but it also has self levelling suspension.....why??

 

[pascal]

Good question Marshie,

Could be because its in saloons
Or if the self levelling suspension failed
With very heavy loads (ie caravan) does the TE still remain level?

 

[andy_k]

Good question Marshie,


With very heavy loads (ie caravan) does the TE still remain level?

yep - absolutely.

i suspect the headlight adjustment is there because it's on the saloons

 

[turnipsock]

I had wondered about the switch before on my 230TE.

I guess it's just part of the saloons and it's easier just to leave it in than start messing around with different parts and stuff.

I do use this function in my 230TE when driving in foggy conditions as I can turn the lights down (4) cutting down on the reflection factor

 

[marshie001]

it can't be more cost effective and easier to leave a fully operational feature on a car that doesn't really need it, than to just design a blanking plate for the hole that would have been left! it doesn't make sense, it must have a valid reason for being there i guess, but what?...:-?

anybody????

 

[paulcallender]

Maybe its because, when you're fully loaded, the FRONT of the car goes down as well. The rear end has self-levelling suspension, while the front does not. So, when you're fully loaded, the car ends up with the front pointing down (a non-self-levelling suspension car would end up with the front pointing up). So strictly its not "levelling", its "maintaining height at the back end". Perhaps???