Good Morning. New to the site, I have an 81 300D I purchased about a year ago from a forum member. It has 350k miles, the EGR blockoff kit and poolnoodle seat repair. Car runs fantastic, still gets 28-30 mpg. My issues are with the power window switches. They work occasionally, then quit completely. I have taken them apart, cleaned all contacts and removed some plastic debris. They work for a bit, then the same shennanigans. Should I just break down and buy new switches, or is there a DIY/kit to fix them.

I have a ton of questions, but Ill keep it brief for now.

TIA,
-Ob

1981 300D 350k "Melba"
1985 Toyota 4Runner 290k "Billygoat"

Try to find some used ones. I cant remember if 81 cars had the older style switchs that had chrome trim or if they are the black ones? If its the older ones you should be able to find the same switches in many models from the 70's.

You might also change the fuses for those windows. the fuse may look fine but have corrosion and not be making contact some times. If you dont want to change them just twist them a little which cleans the contacts up.
JJM

you can just buy seme repalcements. *************** has 'em for $39 for the drivers and $31 for the passenger. You might find a friend's MBZ to put 'em in and see if you get the same problem, which would support it being a switch issue. I like the twiddling the fuse idea ! But when I had some fail, I took 'em out and did a post-mortem on the old ones. They were way corroded, even to my non-expert eyes. You've gotta admit that for these electrical doo-dads to function at all after 25 years , they are doing pretty well.

__________________
Der Panzermann und Fraulein Fahrvergnuegen

1991 420SEL 201K "The Big Blue One"
1985 300DT 205K chassis/285K engine nee California emissions "Goldbug"
1983 300TDT 255K "The Womble"
1983 300 DT 214K "Sea Sprite"-Rear-ended a truck
1983 300SD 285K "The Donor" Gave his life so that others can live
1980 500SL Euro 105K "Der Panzer"