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  #1  
Old 10-26-2005, 02:56 PM
aviaator's Avatar
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How to remove cell phone in '98 W210

I did a search and came up with instructions that do not pertain to my vehicle. If I didn't use the right keywords, would someone please paste a link?

I've already yanked out the useless analog phone/cradle/cable in the armrest console. Now I would like to remove the in-dash controller that is taking up a storage spot in the dash right above the ashtray. Anyone know how to get that thing out without damaging the dash or ruining the Bose sound system? Can it be done?

Thanks much, Mike

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  #2  
Old 10-26-2005, 05:32 PM
LarryBible
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So you "yanked out" the cable huh? It just blows me away when I hear of people removing these factory phones. Some day, 20 years from now, a collector will come across a 210 with the phone left in it and will be totally amazed because the other 20 that he has looked at were butchered when they removed them.

Come on, that phone takes up no more room than a few packages of cigarettes and it's not hurting a thing in the world. Let it be!

My $0.02,
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Old 10-26-2005, 06:24 PM
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I have done this task, but it was a long time ago and I don't recall every detail.

What I do recall is this. You remove the ashtray and go in through there. I don't recollect exactly what is involved in pulling the ashtray. Quite possibly you remove the wood shifter surround from the center console - open the cupholder door, grab it, and yank up. I *think* that will expose some screws which permit you to remove the entire ashtray assembly from the car.

You then insert your hand into the not-quite-gaping hole to access the back of the upper compartment where the remainder of the phone resides. There are tabs back there that you release, and the entire piece slides out, wooden door and all. Once this piece is out of the car, the mobile phone head unit removes out the back - there are some small tabs holding it in place.

If you know what you are doing, this is a five minute job. Best figure on 30 minutes, and bring a good light.

BTW, once you remove the phone head unit, you'll have a gaping hole in there. That space inside the storage compartment is filled with a plastic insert that was removed and discarded when the phone was installed. And MB doesn't sell said part separately. Don't ask how I know this.

Give it a shot. I'm sure at least some of the above is wrong; I did this once , probably in 1998. But it's a simple task, you'll be able to figure it out.

- JimY
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Old 10-26-2005, 08:47 PM
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Thanks for the response JimY; it sounds like I might be in for a tougher job than I thought. I think I'd rather leave the head unit in the dash than be left with a gaping hole. I'll look it over more though and see if looks like I can fabricate a cover with my door.... I dunno. Anyway, thanks!

Larry: Thanks for your opinion too, although as an ASE Master I was hoping for something more useful (not flaming here). I used the words "yanked out" but that doesn't mean I pried the phone out with a crowbar and pulled until I found the end of the cable. I carefully and methodically removed the phone from the armrest and kept all the pieces in a box in my basement so it can be reinstalled (for whatever reason) at some later date. To me, that old analog phone is like an appendix (the organ in the human body, that is); it might have been useful for the caveman but doesn't really do anything in our bodies today. And to be frank, I don't care about the collector that might be looking for a W210 20 years from now. This car is woefully inadequate in the cubby/storage department and right now, I own the car and I want the phone removed. Again, *not flaming*, simply stating an opinion.

-Mike
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Last edited by aviaator; 10-27-2005 at 09:23 AM.
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Old 10-26-2005, 08:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcyuhn
BTW, once you remove the phone head unit, you'll have a gaping hole in there. That space inside the storage compartment is filled with a plastic insert that was removed and discarded when the phone was installed. And MB doesn't sell said part separately. Don't ask how I know this.
- JimY
One other thing Jim, (now that I re-read your post) I won't ask how you know MB doesn't sell the part separately but I will ask: how did you cover the gaping hole that was left when you removed the head unit in your vehicle?

-Mike
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Old 10-27-2005, 10:02 AM
LarryBible
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The gaping hole is one of the reasons to leave it in place. If an emergency occurred, even with no subscription, you can call 911 on that phone so it DOES have a purpose, especially since there are many places in the US where there IS analog service and there IS NOT any digital service. I am sitting in one of those areas as we speak. I have NO signal on my digital phone that is setting on my desk, but I can go out and start my car and see a full bar on the signal strength meter of my old analog phone.

It's your car, you can take a jack hammer to it if you want to. I just think it's a shame to see such butchering.

That said, I have seen Jims cars before and I fully expect that he found a way to do it cleanly and neatly and I am also sure that he will do everything he can to help you.

Good luck with it,
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Old 10-27-2005, 10:33 AM
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Ah Larry, you're far too optimistic regarding my skills and motivation. I drove around with a gaping hole in the dash for a while (Well, maybe two years, but I was busy...). I was unable to secure the insert at a level of effort I was willing to invest, so I put the phone back in the car! That was about the same time I got mad at my OM606 and sold the car, so it all worked out.

It would be easy to fabricate an insert for the empty cubby. A little wood and some contact cement would do the job.

- JimY
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Old 10-27-2005, 11:27 AM
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Thanks for the additional responses, gentlemen.

Larry: I DO whole-heartedly agree that the gaping hole is a reason to leave it in there. And judging by Jim's inability to procure a replacement part I doubt I'll have any luck - after all, I'm just a nOOb. I don't think I want to "build" one either; I just don't have the time for something like that. Oh well, didn't hurt to ask...

-Mike
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  #9  
Old 11-25-2005, 07:57 PM
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I removed the phone in my '98 E320 wagon shortly after purchasing it over a year ago to gain valuable space for my wife's "car crap". The instructions above are pretty accurate, from what I remember. I was able to purchase a used center-console "cubby" from eBay for about $50, so I didn't have a gaping hole in the dash for more than a couple of weeks. From my searches, they seem to come up pretty often (at least they did back then).

I still have a hole in the armrest storage area (where the coiled handset cord would have come thru), but I never found a clean way to cover that up. My wife learned not to throw anything small into the top-most compartment of the armrest.

Regards,
Steve
'98 E320 Wagon

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