Climate control removal tool...W210
 

The backlight on my climate control has burned out (97 E300). I did a search and found that the backlight is simple to change by just using the "radio removal tool" to pop out the climate control and change the bulb. Reportedly the tool cost $5 at the dealer.

I don't have an MB dealer convenient to purchase the tool. Can someone describe, or put a pic of the tool up? I assume it's a couple of very flat blades to insert in the lower slots, but I don't know if they have "hooks" in them or not.

Thanks

tooling
 

Very simple ......
Use the thin metal nail file you find in an inexpensive manicure kit.....
If your nice, the wife or girlfriend will let you use theirs.....====>
looks like an arrow ....
The bulb and socket assembly is a quarter-turn. The bulb has been revised .... get the new type bulb at the stealer ....I mean Dealer....

Thanks for the info. I'll see if the wife has some nail files tonight (although she's not really the nail file type).

I believe that I paid $2 on eBay for the tools. They work very well. You push the tool in and it clips on to the CC unit (or radio) and then you just pull back. I suppose a nail file could work, however, pulling the CC unit back could be tricky since the CC unit will not clip on to the nail file.

I made my own for the same reason - I'll post some pictures and dimensions later tonight for you

nails...
 

Nate ....Good point.....
DO NOT cut your fingernails before you do this... Press your finger nail behind the bezzel and pull toward you while silimtaniously inserting the nail file.......

Here's a pic of one of mine that I cut from a punch-out from a computer case. I'm not sure how easy it would be to pull the climate control without that little notch. BTW, the bulb is just a regular 1.2W '286' bulb - they're fairly cheap at any auto parts store.

Got the unit out, but it took awhile. For everyone's edification:

Cheap metal nail file from Target...too fat
Cheap emery boards...too fat
Feeler gauge...too wide

I finally just took some scrap sheet metal and tin-snipped it to shape, but I snipped it to have a flat nose. Once I realized it needed a tapered nose it worked fine.

Bulb shopping today.

Thanks for the help.

That's funny, I have the exact same 99 cent caliper at home! I got mine from Harbor Freight or Northern Tool or some cheap place like that... It has never failed me! :)