So the switches on the 300SD are physically shot, the little tabs are completely broken, they've been that way for a while. I want to replace the switches, but for the 1981 model, they've been soldered on, where I think the 1982 and newer models just have simple plugs. Do you think if I found some switches from a newer W126 and did some splicing, I could make the plug type ones work?

__________________
'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

i have an 81 too and had the same problem. Its impossible to find a good 81 switch. I went to the junkyard and took apart a door. i knoticed that the plug style switches have the same color codes so I took those plugs and the switch and just spliced them over. Solder the wires together and heat shrink each one. Works fine now.

__________________
1981 300SD 512k OM603

also you may find some from a newer w126 with the headrest thing. Just ignore it, break the tab off and use the old face plate. Know one will ever know. Thats what I did

__________________
1981 300SD 512k OM603

That switch has a different color code. I know because I matched it color for color and the switch did not work.

If you get a newer switch you will need the wiring diagram from the '81 and from the newer car to match function to function.

__________________
"I have no convictions ... I blow with the wind, and the prevailing wind happens to be from Vichy"

Current
Monika '74 450 SL
BrownHilda '79 280SL
FoxyCleopatra '99 Chevy Suburban
Scarlett 2014 Jeep Cherokee
Krystal 2004 Volvo S60
Gone
'74 Jeep CJ5
'97 Jeep ZJ Laredo
Rudolf ‘86 300SDL
Bruno '81 300SD
Fritzi '84 BMW
'92 Subaru
'96 Impala SS
'71 Buick GS conv
'67 GTO conv
'63 Corvair conv
'57 Nomad

For some reason my car had one of each type so I bought a base from **************.com and it had the color code on it so I just switch it out and then put in a used switch I clean up and it all works fine.

__________________
1983 300SD
200000miles

can you rebuild your switches with parts from other switches?

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I did that more than once. If the parts are the same there is no reason you couldn't.
This is a good write up about the switches. Although this is for a rangerover the switch is the same.

http://www.rangerovers.net/repairdetails/seatcontrols.htm

__________________
1983 300SD
200000miles

Does anyone have the wiring diagrams for the two different switches?

Those being:

1982 and prior switches with the wires soldered into the switch

The later memory seat switch with headrest function and plug in style connectors...


It'd be very helpful because I have a set of memory seats and switches I'd like to swap into my car....I don't care (or want) the memory function to work, just the adjustments and headrest.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Can't you just get say 83 switch's and solder the plug onto wires? They are the same so all the colors should be the same.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Well, in case anyone needs any seat switches, I have a few. I also have ONE w126 seat frame (NOT seat bottom) with 3 working motors and the memory option. Oh, I also have a seat BACK with 2 working motors. The seat BOTTOM --- springs are shot.

__________________
daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
No longer selling Cluster Needles Paint
No longer selling New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more