access to window switches??

[Rob90300d]

Hello all,
Really need advice on how to gain access to the window switches at the console. How do you get the console up and off them.
I tried several approches, don't want to hurt the cover.
I believe I have one faulty but need to test there before deeming the window motor bad.
Thankyou for any help.

[bustedbenz]

Originally Posted by Rob90300d

Hello all,
Really need advice on how to gain access to the window switches at the console. How do you get the console up and off them.
I tried several approches, don't want to hurt the cover.
I believe I have one faulty but need to test there before deeming the window motor bad.
Thankyou for any help.

IF (this is a big if) it's like my 1986 w126, you have to start by removing two hard-to-see screws in the ash tray frame (after taking the ash tray insert out), and completely removing the ashtray/cigarette lighter unit. From there, you can start removing things until you get back to the window switch console, which should lift straight out from the front edge after you've removed everything in front of it up to the ashtray (and the little plastic gearshift surround thing). Transmission will need to be in some gear other than Park for some parts of the job so be sure you have it somewhere it's safe to do this (particularly if your parking brake doesn't hold the car).

[Rob90300d]

ok thanks! I did pull the shift cover off but stopped there. So I 'm off to dig deeper via ash try. easily.
Thankyou for the help. I'll let you know.

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by Rob90300d

ok thanks! I did pull the shift cover off but stopped there. So I 'm off to dig deeper via ash try. easily.
Thankyou for the help. I'll let you know.

Kindly read the following post for proper understanding of the best way to obtain info from this forum:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=127342

[Phil]

Part of what Brian is saying is add your make, model and year of car, for all we know you are talking about a 73 Vega.

[babymog]

On a '90 300D, if that's what you have, there is only one screw, at the rear of the zebrano wood.

I believe that the '90 also has the bezel around the shift console (automatic I assume), it should pull straight up with fingernails or other non-scratching tool. The earlier version bezel comes up with the zebrano wood, changed in '90 or '91 to the piece that is pressed in.

If it's a dual-airbag car, you have a storage box covering that screw, open the tambour-door and you should find two phillips screws at the front-bottom of that compartment. Remove the screws, remove the compartment, remove the screw at the rearmost edge of the shifter-console wood, remove the wood by lifting the rear up and out. You will be un-plugging a couple of switches as you lift, the mirror and fader will lift with the console wood.

If it is a driver airbag only car, lift the carpet in the center-console storage tray to expose this screw.

And yes, year and model is extremely helpful as I've wasted my time if I guessed incorrectly.

My 83 240D Had the 2 screws behind the ash tray, and one screw at the rear of the zebrano wood. I was stupid and snapped this rear screw, so be careful with it and pull straight up. As far as I am aware my car has no air bags.
Also, my car is an automatic, and the zebrano wood fits around the base of the shifter, not around the shifter knob itself, so once its free, it will clear the shifter just fine. This advice is for an automatic though, not sure on a manual.
This removal will also gain you access to the turn signal relay, hazard switch, and other switches (mine has a front-rear speaker tuning dial, and a power mirror switch next to the hazard switch), just for your info.