Mysterious switch on my 190e 2.6

[danc584]

I have recently returned to the MB fold (after a regrettable experience with Vauxhall) and have bought a 1989 190e 2.6 in Almandine Red.
The body work is ingreat condition but I got it from a garage where it was taken as P/X and it has no manuals with it.

I have a question that I'm hoping other 190 owners can help with. On the dash board at the top of the centre console, next to the heated rear screen button is a black switch with an electric symbol on it. I have no idea what it does and was hoping someone could help.

Sensible (or funny) suggestions only please!!!

Great car though!!!!

 

[paulcallender]

I don't suppose you could post a picture of the symbol?

 

[Unleashed]

It's the electric sunroof switch!

 

[danc584]

Its not the electric sunroof switch. I've tried it but nothing seems to happen. It is a Zig-Zag lightning symbol with an arrow pointing down.

 

[paulcallender]

Does the car have a towbar?

 

[danc584]

No towbar and no air-con either. There is a picture of one in the gallery with a red-switch where mine is. Am getting v. confused now.

 

[paulcallender]

From what you describe, that symbol means "electrical isolation" as found on external switches on race cars. So, it looks like someone has either replaced a switch for a function which exists on your car, or has added their own switch. Might be worth looking at the colours of the wires, the switch is connected to?

 

[pascal]

I also think what you describe, it is a 'Down to Earth' switch. Maybe it is an attempt at a early immobiliser by previous owner.

 

[190D]

According to the 190 electronic manual the switch is for snow chains, .But that is for America.

 

[nicky]

According to the 190 electronic manual the switch is for snow chains, .But that is for America.

So how do you switch snow chains on then?????...this should be interesting...

 

[pascal]

The Snowchain switch on the W124 had a picture of a tyre on the top, and a little light on the bottom. It was situated second from right, nearest the steering wheel. The seven top switches on RHD W124s are as follows from the left.

• Heated rear window
• Headrest down switch
• Rear window blind
• Hazard Warning
• Fanfare Horn Control
• Snow chain
• rear passenger lamp

I know that this is not from a 190, but may help in your quest

Pascal

 

[190D]

So how do you switch snow chains on then?????...this should be interesting...

This should answer you question niki i am surprised you didn't know.:Oops: :Oops: :Oops:


Driving with Snow Chains

In winter operation, the maximum

When driving with snow chains,

effectiveness of the acceleration

press the symbol side of the snow

slip control can only be achieved

chain switch, located on the inwith

M + S radial-ply tires recomstrument

panel (the indicator lamp

mended by Mercedes-Benz.

in the switch comes on) to obtain

maximum possible traction.

 

[shrekky]

if it looks like this its the electric sunroof..............well known for not working properly on 190's

 

[marshie001]

nice job shrekky!

are you the guy that designs the 3d weathermaps? :mrgreen:

 

[Unleashed]

As I said... electric sunroof. I got my car with it broken too. If you open your boot, and get someone to press and hold the button, you'll hear a whirring, it's the motor spinning but the cables have snapped.

 

[danc584]

All good suggestions and thanks for your help, but on the 190 the sunroof switch is located on the roof with the sunroof. This switch is dashboard, top & centre., Oh and thanks shrekky, thats a close drawing to what I described.

 

[paulcallender]

Maybe someone's used a power roof switch from a different model, to switch something else. For example, the quark spondogulator, or something. But seriously, the only way you'll get to the bottom of this one is to explore behind the dash - it looks like (from the lack of a definative answer) that this is not an original Merc fitting!

 

[190D]

Pre 1988 190,s had the roof switch on the dash next to the rear screen heater switch

 

[shrekky]

would have took a pic with my phone but phone company internet server was down......again !...........grrrrrrrr.......lol

 

[turnipsock]

I think you should risk pressing the switch to see what it does.

(I'm surprised nobody has suggested this before).