Removing Dash on '98 E class 280 Avg

[Keithm]

I need to replace the bulb that lights up the nearside heater control and fan but how on earth do you get at it.

Also the vents at each end of the dash need new bulbs.

The dash is like one of those chineese boxes. Where do I start.

Any help much appreciated

Keith

 

[Spike]

I have done this before and it may be a little tricky to explain here, but I will give you a guide from what I remember.

The vents on the dash are a synch. If you look inside the vents, at the bottom of each are two small clips. use a small straight screwdriver to pop the clips and then you can remove the whole vent and get to the bulbs.

When you say heater controls, do you mean the fan speed\direction controls or do you mean the temperature controls?

If the latter you will need to remove the whole upper cover. To do this, first remove the speed\direction knobs by just pulling them out and then you will see some recessed nuts ..about 19mm in size. Undo these and then look at the bottom of the panel just above the stereo and you should see a couple of phillips screws. Undo these and the panel should come out, hinging out from the bottom. The rest is obvious.

I may have missed a screw or so here as I am going from memory but I think I have pretty much got it.

Best bet is to get a haynes manual which describes the process quite well albeit assuming you need to remove the *whole* dash.

Hope it helps

 

[Spike]

CGI timeout  - double post  please ignore

(Edited by Spike at 4:05 pm on Oct. 24, 2002)

 

[Keithm]

Thanks spike,

I've managed to get the nearside vent off but the front dashboard still remains a problem. I got the heat and fan knobs off but could not see any retaining nut. Is your car a W124 ?
I've got the later model and maybe this is where the problem is. I don't think Haynes do a book for this model yet.

Maybe I should not be tight and get the main dealer to do it  but seems a bit of a waste of cash for  "simple"job
If anyone has any advice on  getting at these pesky bulbs much appreciated.

Keith
98 E-Class 280 AvG

 

[fuzzer]

To remove the wood trip .

Remove your radio
Under the radio is two philips screws.
Remove the screws and the dash should pull forward.
Remember that the buttons at the top are still attached.


TO change the bulbs , it might be easier to just remove the fan control switch nob i believe from memory the bulb is visible when you do that. I had a problem with the O/s going and it was a control PCB to blame. I just left it  as i did not even want to ask the price of it....

Let us know if u get stuck.

 

[Keithm]

Superb ! Thanks Fuzzer.
To change the bulbs all that's needed is to pull the control knobs off. There is a little bit of white plastic which needs to be levered away off it's mountings - it's just the bulb cover. Then with a pair of very fine pliers you can take the bulb out.
A 5 min job that MB wanted £ 60 for.

 

[Cliff_G]

Little bit of white plastic

I have a 1997 E320 with a lamp gone. I've just found this post about the "little bit of white plastic". I am loathe to pull this off - it looks as if it is meant to stay there - can I check exactly which vehicle you are talking about in this post - if it really is the same as mine, then I might try harder with the "bit of white plastic" !

TIA