Title pretty much says it all. Head light rotary switch went bad. I have a replacement but getting to the bad one in the car is proving difficult. I dropped the lower cover and there is a major air duct mounted under there. I really don't want to have to tear down the whole A/C duct work to get to the switch.

Looking at it it looks like I can pull the instrument cluster out and come at it from the top. Is that possible? None of my manuals give any clear info on getting it out.

Has anyone got suggestions?

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1988 300SE 83K+
1991 350SDL 283K+

1991 is stiil a 126, correct?

That should still have the 124 style light switch that has a quarter turn release that holds it in the console.

As long as you can get your hands on it to rotate the barrel you should be able to get it out. If you pull the knob off and remove the nut you will see two little ears and two slots in the panel. Line the ears up with the slots and pull back.

Remember to disconnect the battery first. There is a straight, unfused, feed from the battery to the back of the switch.

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The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

Yes, it's a 126. Getting it loose is not the issue. It's having room to get the wires off it is. The one I got the switch out of did not have anything in the way of access. The '91 has a 4" ridged air duct in the way.

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1988 300SE 83K+
1991 350SDL 283K+

Yes, you can reach it by removing the instrument cluster. I replaced mine a few months ago because the fog lights would not stay on any longer. It was a 15 minute job.

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1991 350SDL 350k+ miles

Thanks, I figured it out this afternoon. Easy job really. I love working on these cars. The problem is finding all the snaps and zippers!

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1988 300SE 83K+
1991 350SDL 283K+