How does the upper dash switch panel come out of the dash? I'm refering to the panel with 4 switches - including the fog lights, sunroof, antenna and rear window defogger. Does it 'pop out' from behind, is it screwed in?

On mine I was able to remove it by removing the panel where the climate control sits first and then pushing from the back.

I don't know about any screws behind the radio, but then again my car has an aftermarket radio.

Good luck.

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Ralph

1985 300D Turbo, CA model
248,650 miles and counting...

So, how do you remove the climate control panel?

The wood trim just pops off. There are four nubs that keep it in place. After that you will be looking at a black plastic panel that the CCU is screwed into. You just take the screws out and remove the panel. You can rest the CCU on top of th radio and you're good to go.

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Ralph

1985 300D Turbo, CA model
248,650 miles and counting...

If you are talking about the small wood one at the top of the console under the vents, you have to take apart the entire center console to remove it.

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1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

I removed mine 2 days ago without removing the whole dash. It is easiest to do it after removing the climate control unit and pushing from behind. The top of the wood extends under the dash about 1/2". You'll have to remove the switches first (but you don't have to disconnect them, it is possible to let them dangle by their wires). It is easier to push them out from the back. Then push out (or pull through the holes) on the bottom. There is a clip on each side that is pretty large. You can feel the clips through the hole in the console. Then pull down on the panel and it will slide out.

-Tad

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1995 G320
2003 C230 Kompressor Coupe
2005 ML500
2007 ML350

I agree, I've had mine out several times without disassembling anything.

Not requied.

IF YOU USE a plastic styled screwdriver you can pull the switches up and push the panel from behind to release. A metal screwdriver can damage the wood trim. A plastic or wood unit can do the job.
But as posted it is best to remove the wood AC control panel by prying with a plastic wedge and then pushing the upper switch panel from behind.

Go to picture 19 to see the 240D panel being removed.

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W123Evaporator

The 240D is slightly different in that the AC temp control wheel stays and the wood trim is removed from the area.

On the 300D/TD/CD all you have is switches and they will stay in the wood trim when it is removed.

On both models it is best to push out on the bottom of the wood trim. hte bottom has the 2 clips that hold it in place. the top has tabs that are fited into postition. So to insert the top forst and then slide the bottom into position and push it all the way in.

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

In picture 17 (and others), what is the side-to-side lever thing in the wood trim strip immediately above the switch panel? Something to do with air flow in the manual climate control? I noticed that my 1985 300DT (basically the same body) has a cutout for something when I pulled the wood strip for repair.

__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Simple manual controls that contol the defroster flow and floor flow. Slide lever and the defrost opens up, slide the other lever and the floor opens up. To turn off the center vents you manually close the individual position. The center vents have a slide below the 2 vents and the side vents are just like the 300D vents.
A very simple and good design.

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

Since that piece of wood is tucked under the dash a little I just loosen the dash bolts (6) and it moves enough to get the wood out without damage.

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1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials
I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair