Shifter light - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Phil · #1 01-02-2005, 03:19 PM

Last week I posted a question about replacing the light under the shifter on my 1983 300SD. Jim H gave me some good advice. I got as far as removing the wood trim in the center consol. When i stick my hand under the shift indicator the entire underside is covered by a rubber boot, do I need to remove this or can I pull out the light trough this? Can any one tell me if there is a way to pull out the radio (original) with out the removal tools? Where can I get various small parts such as the gromets that go around the wiper shafts without going to the dealer?
It's always fun to just read all the postings, I always learn something new.
Thanks and Happy New Year.

Jim H · #2 01-02-2005, 05:23 PM

Hi Phil,

Console light:
Great job so far!

On my SDL, the console light is just under the left front corner, about where the "P" is. No boot removal was involved. Of course, it could be that my car doesn't have the boot anymore, it wouldn't surprise me. I'm still finding surprises left as a legacy by the DPOs (Dreaded Previous Owners)

Parts:
Take a look at the very top of the forum, 3rd tab over. FastLane is an online parts supplier. If you can't find it, call Phil and ask him, there are parts that are not listed online that he can get for you.

Best Regards,
Jim

jbaj007 · #3 01-02-2005, 10:22 PM

Phil,
On my 1984 300SD the light for the shifter is actually part of the fiber optic light system (light guide, MB calls it in the EPC) and there is no bulb in the shifter area. The PDRNDL is part of a fiber optic cable that flattens out as a ribbon upon which the letters are embossed. The bulb is way behind the radio in the "octopus" from which these fiber optic cables radiate.

I'm pretty sure your 1983 300SD is the same.

Carrameow · #4 01-03-2005, 12:24 PM

Nobody sells it. I was under there a month ago trying to do the same thing. Finally a I found a bigger bulb socket and just glued it in there, it works fine. To get to it:
(1) remove ashtray
(2) remove metal ashtray frame, this secures the front of the wood trim around the shifter
(3) You should now have enough play to gently pull the front up
(4) Start unsnapping the electrical connectors from underneath, and not the top or you will crack and splinter the wood
(5) When all the connectors are loose, push backwards on the wood trim. (There is a pin in the back that) secures it to the Black Trim underneath...

SD Blue · #5 01-03-2005, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbaj007

Phil,
On my 1984 300SD the light for the shifter is actually part of the fiber optic light system (light guide, MB calls it in the EPC) and there is no bulb in the shifter area. The PDRNDL is part of a fiber optic cable that flattens out as a ribbon upon which the letters are embossed. The bulb is way behind the radio in the "octopus" from which these fiber optic cables radiate.

I'm pretty sure your 1983 300SD is the same.

How is this fiber optic system illuminated? Is it a single bulb somewhere? If so, what type?
Thanks-Sam

jbaj007 · #6 01-03-2005, 01:08 PM

Yes, a single bulb in a plastic holder from which the little fiber optic cables run. These are what illuminates the top switches (and the PRND3L) on the SD console panel, above the climate control. The sunroof switch, back dome, antennae, rear window defrost, etc. Some people refer to this plastic holder as the "octopus" or the "spider". It is located behind the radio/climate control area.

If you have no illumination of the top switches, then it's a bulb out.
If they light up, but not the PRND3L, then an optic cable has pulled out.

At least that is how my 300SD is. The others are speaking of 123 or 124 models which have a bulb, instead.

SD Blue · #7 01-03-2005, 01:20 PM

I think the bulb is out on mine. The vent control, sun-roof, rear defrost, ant. and shifter are not lighted. Do you know what kind of bulb is used for this?

pawoSD · #8 01-03-2005, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD Blue

I think the bulb is out on mine. The vent control, sun-roof, rear defrost, ant. and shifter are not lighted. Do you know what kind of bulb is used for this?

Mine aren't either, where is this bulb located?? If its behind my new radio I'm not eeeeven going to mess with it

But I have a 1982SD, does that make any difference as to how the setup is designed? Our 83 looks to have the fiber optic stuff (it all works too) but my markings for the vent controls look like they're painted on there, no fiber optic ends.....so I assume they're not lighted in my car? The shifter area has a wire going into it (noticed that when I had the cover off) but doesn't light up....

jbaj007 · #9 01-03-2005, 01:48 PM

Vent control not lighted by this system.

Same little bulb that's in the instrument cluster.

Yeah, it's behind the radio +. (sorry)

Carrameow · #10 01-03-2005, 01:50 PM

I've taken this dash apart some 20 times on 20 cars and there is no such thing as a Fiber Optic system in cars up to 85. I hope you guys dont take me disrespectfully, if I were a really bad person i would just say nothing and let you continue to fix it this way...I know the whole dash system inside & out...

pawoSD · #11 01-03-2005, 01:53 PM

My shifter has an actual wire going into it for the light, which doesn't work, so I assume I just have to get that thing out of there and get a bulb into it....eh, I know what position its in by feel anyways

Fishslayer · #12 01-03-2005, 02:18 PM

The bulb is available from Fastlane and the other wp dealers mis-marked as a marker light p/n 4B100-138129. If anyone needs one let me know and I will send you one as I am putting in a large order this week, $7 is alot of shipping on a light bulb

cost is $1.06

note: this is the shifter lamp NOT the fiber optics lamp

Hatterasguy · #13 01-03-2005, 02:42 PM

On my SDL their is a light builb in a small plastic socket by the "P". It pulls down Autozone has them. But you should see it? My SDL has fiber optic's for the climate control panal lights. It would not surprise me if the SD is different.

Carrameow I don't think they were being disrespectful. I know fiber optics were used in all post 86 W126's. I would not be surprised to find them in the pre 85 models. How else would they light up the climate control buttons?

JimSmith · #14 01-03-2005, 03:22 PM

The little black rocker switches on the center console of the dash on my 1982 240D are illuminated by small, black, fiber-optic lines that come from the "octopus" fitting that is behind the air conditioning control wheel. I have changed the bulb twice in the 323,000 life of the car. I have not dug into the guts of the 1983 240D because I have not had to, yet. The 1986 190E 2.3-16 also uses fiber-optic lines to these switches but I have yet to have to replace the bulb and so I do not know exactly where it is yet.

The heater controls on my 240Ds are the twisting knobs and they have a lamp bulb under the knob. You pull the knob off, straight out of the center console, and the bult is right there. Many other lighted items have their own lamps though, like the A/C control wheel. I do not have any electric windows on the 1982 240D and so I have nothing lit up on that area between the seats. I will look at the 1983 as it has electric windows, but I have not used them at night so I have not noticed if they light up or not.

I have yet to not find a bulb for any dash lighting feature in stock at my dealership. They never cost more than a buck or so at most. Good luck, Jim

Mike123 · #15 01-03-2005, 05:42 PM

My '81 300Cd is similar to what Jim Smith has described. The antenna switch, rear reading light switch, etc. are lit by fiber optic lines from one bulb, which I have replaced once in 150,000 miles. The climate control is lit by individual bulbs.