So, I read up on this issue of the ASR and BAS warnings taking over the dash message panel intermittently. It was suggested the problem is a faulty brake light actuating switch on the brake pedal. Well, it took me a while to get convinced, because my brake lights worked, even though the warning light had come on - seemed to me that if the brake lights worked the switch must be fine. But, I have now learned how to make the dash warnings come on by stepping on and off the brake pedal. So, I bought a new one yesterday for $19.60 after taxes from the dealer. Not bad, I thought.

Got home and went searching for the switch in the car. Well, the cover over the underside of the dash on the driver's side is not like a W123. I found one screw over by the hood release, and one weird plastic plug-like locating device between the gas and brake pedal on the floor. There is evidence of a few fasteners on the sides of the steering wheel column, but they are long gone. So it seemed to me there must be some of those MB clips holding things down, you know, the kind that are hidden and if you yank too hard they break off and cost $5 apiece to replace....

By pulling the assembly of the smooth black stuff and the fuzzy finished material outboard and aft I got the outboard side to release from some hidden spring clips in the dash proper and that was it. No apparent way to get the smooth black surface separated from the fuzzy, finished surface. And, no apparent way to unhook the whole shebang from the center console area. Reasonably forceful pulling and prying did nothing.

Anyone have any clues to offer? How does this dash panel come out? Thanks, Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Haven't done it myself; its #278 on the diagram. Def has one center screw; I suspect the other attachment point is a series of hooks, but am guessing.

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.asp?TP=1&F=210025&M=606%2E962&GA=722%2E608&CT=F&cat=45P&SID=68&SGR=200&SGN=03

__________________
Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

Thanks! Got the cover down, but it has the hood latch release built in and so I kind of pushed it over to one side while I removed the old switch and put the new one in. The switch twists to come out of the bracket. Worked like a champ. No more dash lights.

Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)