Removal of ACC control panel? Fitting new lamps? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

LeaUK · #1 11-21-2005, 03:50 PM

I suspect I need to place my hand through the CD player hole and push from the rear, or, as I only need to replace the lamps, can I access them somehow from the front panel?

In the attached snap shot you can see the clips holding the front panel on - should I use a little more force or not - just that I didn't want to apply any more pressure as something was telling me to stop.

Cheers
Lea

LeaUK · #2 11-22-2005, 11:35 PM

Has no one ever replaced their acc module?

jjrodger · #3 11-23-2005, 01:51 PM

I'm pretty sure you need to remove the wood console trim. Be ultra careful; the dealer creacked the lacquer on mine around the a/c aperture and it is fragile where the cubby in front of the gear shift is. The wooden trim costs GBP600 I understand.

LeaUK · #4 11-24-2005, 02:25 PM

Hi JJ

Uhm, I was rather hoping the panel just popped off.

I thought I recalled someone saying it would, then I found the link 96 SL 500 Instrument Cluster - post number 4.

However, it doesn't feel like it simply pops off.

I'll ask G-Benz I think - would hate to damage 600quids worth eh!

jjrodger · #5 11-24-2005, 03:02 PM

I think that post is referring to the panel immediately below the centre vents which contains the thumb wheels for opening/closing the vents. I've seen this removed with a plastic wedge.

jjrodger · #6 11-24-2005, 03:06 PM

I might be wrong!

Found this on Alldata, suggests you have to remove the radio first. No more detail than that. The Alldata info is different for my model because I have the W202-style HVAC push button control unit.

LeaUK · #7 11-25-2005, 02:32 AM

Yes, I think you're right about the HVAC, seems like I've got my terminology a little mixed. The piccy below shows how to remove the HVAC unit - I'll tackle that one too in the great bulb replacement mission - I've decided to replace all bulbs everywhere

I also found similar on alldata re the ACC control panel and for my '93 it suggests you can remove the unit by pushing it outwards from behind without removal of the wood trim. This seems to make some sense as upon closer inspect the unit 'looks' physically smaller than the console aperture.

Trouble is I now need to locate my radio removal tool!

Cheers
Lea

Benzmeister · #8 11-25-2005, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeaUK

I suspect I need to place my hand through the CD player hole and push from the rear, or, as I only need to replace the lamps, can I access them somehow from the front panel?

In the attached snap shot you can see the clips holding the front panel on - should I use a little more force or not - just that I didn't want to apply any more pressure as something was telling me to stop.

Cheers
Lea

radio and maybe some other parts. What year? I have the shop manuals for removing this parts, and it covers SL to 85. I looked in the shop manual for the HVAC and you system is not covered, but I thing the two post with pictures are accurate. I would use a screw driver either, I would use a plastic "part removed", available, at least here in the colonies at most goo auto parts stores, Some look like wood shims, which I have also used to remove something I don't want o scratch. A plastic panel remover tool will work also. IMHO jjrodger's post tells the stroy on removal. What type of removal tool are used to remove the radio on your car. On my C Class I have two blade type removers, but you don't use them just right, as I did, I pulled off the face of the radio and long stroy short had to replace the entire unit for $900. Neve do that again. Also, looks like if you take out the glove box you can push out the HVAC?

LeaUK · #9 11-29-2005, 02:34 AM

Found it eventually.

See attached piccy

LeaUK · #10 12-03-2005, 08:59 AM

Does anyone know the part number and qty for the bulbs that sit behind panel 103 (http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/attachments/mercedes-benz-sl-discussion-forum/29758d1132903954-removal-acc-control-panel-fitting-new-lamps-hvac-drawing.gif)

Can't find these for love nor money..

Have located numbers for all other lamps in the dash, ACC module and even the lights switch but these are rather illusive.

Mind-you MB Parts Dept said they couldn't tell me the quantity for each bulb so gave me a guesstimate - even though the EPC clearly states it!

Thanks
Lea

Benzmeister · #11 12-03-2005, 01:52 PM

is suppose to have a light on? Switches, if your very careful can sometimes be pryed out, with a plastic panel remover. I bought one and it was a bit too thick, so I dremel the tip just enough to pry under the switch and lift it out. Your owners maual if you have one should show of list what dash parts have bulbs?

LeaUK · #12 12-03-2005, 02:52 PM

Yes thanks. I can see the plasic difuser behind most areas that should be illuminated, it's just finding the method of correct dissasembly that's key to no damage.

Have sussed it out all areas now, so just waiting for MB dealer to order bulbs..

I'll post some pics soon....

Cheers
Lea

LeaUK · #13 12-04-2005, 11:46 AM

A little more info and couple of piccies...

The long thin plastic panel surrounding the HVAC thumb wheels pops of very easily. I used a flat blade screw driver on the left hand side and applied a little leverage from the adjacent plastic panel. Once the end panel become free it was then simply a case of working around 'unpopping' the whole cover.

Piccy one shows how the illumination is distributed (notice the poor illumination of the right AC control - that's next weekend's job!) Piccy 2 shows the lamp in detail - these just pull out with the aid of thin nose pliers.

However, both my lamps died AFTER I extracted them so I guess they were both 10 years + . However I noticed significantly less discolouration (most bulbs turn black over time) than I expected, but still time for a change.

Piccy 3 shows the headlamp panel removed from the switch behind - and is where my intermittent lamp is housed (top right).

see here for the video.. http://www.mbca.org/northtexas/R129D2-Dash%20removal[1].mpeg
or

1. Using large nose pliers and soft rag grip the headlamp switch and pull. It pops off quite easily.
2. Remove the large nut securing the front panel to the switch mechanism behind.
3. Gently pull and wiggle the front panel outwards.

The headlight adjuster vacuum pipes are quite short so there's minimal movement which makes changing the lamp tricky, so my tip would be to pop the thumb wheel switch out (as shown). You'll see two clips that just need pushing away from the wheel housing one at a time. It came out with ease.

Now the lamp housing is another matter - I have no idea how to remove it! Best wait until the new lamp arrives to see if that holds any clues.

#14 12-04-2005, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeaUK

A little more info and couple of piccies...

The long thin plastic panel surrounding the HVAC thumb wheels pops of very easily. I used a flat blade screw driver on the left hand side and applied a little leverage from the adjacent plastic panel. Once the end panel become free it was then simply a case of working around 'unpopping' the whole cover.

Piccy one shows how the illumination is distributed (notice the poor illumination of the right AC control - that's next weekend's job!) Piccy 2 shows the lamp in detail - these just pull out with the aid of thin nose pliers.

However, both my lamps died AFTER I extracted them so I guess they were both 10 years + . However I noticed significantly less discolouration (most bulbs turn black over time) than I expected, but still time for a change.

Piccy 3 shows the headlamp panel removed from the switch behind - and is where my intermittent lamp is housed (top right).

see here for the video.. http://www.mbca.org/northtexas/R129D2-Dash%20removal[1].mpeg
or

1. Using large nose pliers and soft rag grip the headlamp switch and pull. It pops off quite easily.
2. Remove the large nut securing the front panel to the switch mechanism behind.
3. Gently pull and wiggle the front panel outwards.

The headlight adjuster vacuum pipes are quite short so there's minimal movement which makes changing the lamp tricky, so my tip would be to pop the thumb wheel switch out (as shown). You'll see two clips that just need pushing away from the wheel housing one at a time. It came out with ease.

Now the lamp housing is another matter - I have no idea how to remove it! Best wait until the new lamp arrives to see if that holds any clues.

have you tried pulling on it? the one in the vidoe looks like it wasn't properly installed, wiggle it from side to side and pull

LeaUK · #15 12-05-2005, 02:25 AM

HI Ray

It must come out, but I'm pulling and wiggling to the point of where I'm concerned - you know, where the alarm bells start ringing and it's time to ask others just in case I've missed a hidden clip.

I think it must be fitted from behind but it doesn't appear to be a press fit as it's loose, ie there's a little movement between the bulb holder and the panel which, to me, indicates a clip somewhere.

I need to visit MB today to ensure they have the correct bulbs on order (as I'm missing 2 for the dash) so hopefully someone can assist - but I wont count on it!

Cheers
Lea