Removing Climate control Unit

[fred98050]

1985 300SD

I had a few dead lights in my ACCU so today I decided to replace them.
In the process I took some pictures, this might help someone in the future.
Time for my small contribution to this forum:

PS: You don't have to remove the ACCU to change the light bulbs but in my case, one of the bulb had broken up and some pieces were left in the ACCU...Could not get them out without removing the unit.



Picture 1:
Disconnect battery (13mm)


Picture 2 and 3:
Remove ashtray by lifting up and out.



Picture 4 5 & 6:
You'll see 2 screws at the bottom, remove the screws and pull ashtray holder. Watch out for the electric connections to the lighter and the lights.


Picture 7:
Remove the radio. There might be a lot of different radios out there, mine was fairly easy. 2 small clips at the bottom, push on the clips and pull the radio out. Watch for all the wires, pull gently. The harness was long enough , I did not disconnect anything, I just put the radio and wires on the side.



Picture 8, 9 and 10:
Once the radio removed, you'll see at the bottom of the wood trim (pic8) 2 screws (pic9&10). Remove the screws.


Picture 11:
Pull the trim out slightly and slide it down. Same lots of wires so go slow.


Picture 12, 13 and 14:
Pull the panel out about 4 inches and remove the plugs from the different switches (pic12, 13), you'll see a thin wire on each switch (pic 14), these are fiber optic cables for the light in the switches. Pull them gently.


Picture 15:
Now you just loosen the 2 8mm bolts on each side of the ACCU, remove the 4 light housing of the ACCU. This can be a bit difficult, they seem to be a bit had to pull. Take your time, don't pull to hard they are brittle.
On each side of the ACCU you'll see a plug, remove the 2 plugs and pull the ACCU out.

Picture 16 & 17:
Now you can replace the light bulbs or replace the ACCU.





The install is pretty much the same operation in reverse. After installing new light bulbs and placing all the switches back in place I reconnected the battery to make sure all the new bulbs were working. Once checked I disconnected the battery to finish the re-install.

all you'll need is a 13mm and 8mm wrench and a phillips screw driver.

I tried to locate the source of the optic lines to replace the bulb but could not access it. It is located to the left of the console. I'll have to remove the side driver panel of the console to get to it. May be next week...


F