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

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Mark in MA
05 MB E320CDI 402k Granite Grey Metallic
05 MB E320CDI 267k Black
05 MB E320CDI 232k White
05 MB E320CDI 209k Tectite Grey
99 Dodge 2500 Cummins 5sp 148k
62 Jeep CJ-6 120k

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....

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2003 SLK 230 (85000)
1999 E300 Turbo Diesel (388,000)
1991 350SD Turbo Diesel (185,000)

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

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Mark in MA
05 MB E320CDI 402k Granite Grey Metallic
05 MB E320CDI 267k Black
05 MB E320CDI 232k White
05 MB E320CDI 209k Tectite Grey
99 Dodge 2500 Cummins 5sp 148k
62 Jeep CJ-6 120k

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.

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Current:
1985 300D aka Miss Margaret
1991 300SE aka Alarice
1995 SL320 aka Samantha
1997 K1500 Silverado
Past:
1999 E300 ex-wife got it and let her son ruin it
1984 190 2.3 ex-wife got it and let her son destroy a great car
1985 300D (CA version) aka Maybelline lost to deer at high speed.
1981 300D aka Madeline (went to salvage at near 400k) rusty, yet best car I ever drove
Wishlist:
McFarlan TV6 (only a few privately owned)
ReVere with Rochester engine
1917 Premier (only one left)

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

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Scott C.

2006 E320 CDI (120k miles)
FOR SALE: 1998 E300 Turbo Diesel - Black w/Tan Leather - Euro delivery (236k miles)

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.......

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2003 SLK 230 (85000)
1999 E300 Turbo Diesel (388,000)
1991 350SD Turbo Diesel (185,000)

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.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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Scott C.

2006 E320 CDI (120k miles)
FOR SALE: 1998 E300 Turbo Diesel - Black w/Tan Leather - Euro delivery (236k miles)

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.

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Mark in MA
05 MB E320CDI 402k Granite Grey Metallic
05 MB E320CDI 267k Black
05 MB E320CDI 232k White
05 MB E320CDI 209k Tectite Grey
99 Dodge 2500 Cummins 5sp 148k
62 Jeep CJ-6 120k

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!

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-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250