560SL - cig-lighter diagram or photo - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

karburn · #1 08-10-2009, 04:17 PM

When I got this car, the lighter unit had been broken and the previous owner had purchased a new one, which is still in the plastic bag. I have two wires in the ash tray box, one with a bulb on the end - the other a connector. When grounded, the light comes on, so I know there is power.

What I need is some kind of photo or diagram to work from. There does not seem to be any housing to clip the lighter into. I've read lots of other threads, but I hate to proceed without a guide and maybe damage/short something.

I realize this is a minor item, but I'd like to get it working again.

donbryce · #2 08-10-2009, 07:38 PM

Any chance you could post a picture of the new part? I'm a bit confused as to what was/is broken - the recepticle for the cig lighter, the plug for the ashtray assembly, or...... Hold on while I go out and remove the ashtray and snap a picture for you...OK, see below.
Remove the ashtray. The entire chrome piece pops off the main ashtray body, just insert a small screwdriver under the indents on each side.
Post back if you need any more info.

karburn · #3 08-10-2009, 09:57 PM

Hmm. Looking at your photos, I think I may have a piece missing. I will photo the part and ash tray tomorrow if you can bear with me a little longer. The entire cigarette lighter is what is being replaced. I think it snaps into place after the loose wire is hooked up, but I see no where to insert the light bulb part. More tomorrow.

Thanks for your response!!!

karburn · #4 08-11-2009, 02:10 PM

here are a couple of shots of the tray area. In the overall shot you can see the two wires (bulb and connector ends) and the replacement part is lying on the console. The blurry close-up shows the inside of the tray and what looks to be the bracket that the lighter unit clips to.

This might be one of those no-brainer jobs, but I did not want to run the risk of shorting out somethintg while blindly trying to install the new lighter.

Thanks for the feedback.

rowdie · #5 08-11-2009, 02:29 PM

You are making this more difficult than it needs to be. Press on the black spring latch continue rotating it down and the entire unit comes out, wires and all. The contacts for power are on the left side of the tray frame and is a contact point, not hard wired. And you do appear to be missing part of the assembly.

karburn · #6 08-11-2009, 02:51 PM

OK. I was doing this more for appearances sake than anything else, but the chrome trim shown in your photo is absent from my installation. The previous owner must have tossed it or lost it when he took this thing apart. Even if I fix it, it's not going to look original.

Maybe I'll just glue the door shut and take the points deduction when we have club car shows. I did not see the chrome trim piece on EPC net, so a replacement is not likely.

Thanks for the feedback.

donbryce · #7 08-11-2009, 07:01 PM

Yeah, you are missing the chrome piece that I pictured upside down, showing where the parts go, and pictured by Rowdie. I'd expect that this piece may be unique to the SL ashtray, unfortunately. You could get a used one from EBay ($$$), or even here....but if I were in your position, I'd seriously consider a custom mount for a Sirius radio or Ipod.

rowdie · #8 08-11-2009, 08:12 PM

Try a PM here.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r-c107-sl-slc-class/1462450-parting-out-89-560sl.html

karburn · #9 08-11-2009, 10:33 PM

The reason that I was hoping to fix it is that our local MB club has concours events periodically, and although this car will never be Pebble Beach material, I'm trying to save as many points as I can, just to do better in the shows. From a practical standpoint, it's not worth it. I have the original Becker radio, but it's not worth the expense of having it rebuilt and put back in. I like being able to play CD's with the Pioneer unit I have now. I'm going to abandon the ashtray fix and just drive the thing and enjoy it. Car shows are fun, but there is always someone with a better car. Thanks to everyone who responded. I really appreciate it.

mbboy · #10 08-12-2009, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donbryce

Yeah, you are missing the chrome piece that I pictured upside down, showing where the parts go, and pictured by Rowdie. I'd expect that this piece may be unique to the SL ashtray, unfortunately. You could get a used one from EBay ($$$), or even here....but if I were in your position, I'd seriously consider a custom mount for a Sirius radio or Ipod.

Hmmm! Now that's an interesting idea, Don. But I think I'd go with an equalizer.

Anybody have any idea as to the best way to go about something like that ,since I doubt that a standard DIN unit would fit into the ashtray opening without a custom bracket.

donbryce · #11 08-12-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karburn

I'm going to abandon the ashtray fix and just drive the thing and enjoy it. Car shows are fun, but there is always someone with a better car. Thanks to everyone who responded. I really appreciate it.

Now that's the spirit! I have a 1940 Pontiac streetrod that has won oodles of awards, from car shows since about 2000. We have a local car club that is all British cars, but they accept my SL as a 'kindred spirit' sports car. We thought about attending a show with it, and them, that included all makes and models, with the emphasis on roadsters, but I decided to pass....9/10 times, the real fun of a car show is (a) driving there and back with your 'bretheren', and (b) talking to others about the details of the building/re-building of the car. Count yourself lucky to have a local Mercedes-oriented club/show to go to. Where I live, there probably aren't more than 20 SL's within 500 miles.

PS: If I spot a cheap ashtray on fleabay, I'll let you know..

450slcguy · #12 08-12-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karburn

I'm going to abandon the ashtray fix and just drive the thing and enjoy it.

Just buy a used one off Ebay, they can be had for cheap if you follow for a few weeks.

rowdie · #13 08-12-2009, 12:12 PM

Try calling a few of the foreign parts salvage yards there. I bet you can find one with crappy wood and buy the part pretty cheap.

I lived in Pine Brooke, 10201 Foster, for a couple of years and used to have a lot of sources in the area. Been gone since '98 so don't have any now.

karburn · #14 08-13-2009, 03:25 PM

I have never bought anything off of ebay, but that's probably a good place to look. I'll search for 560SL and see what comes up.

Thanks for all of the suggestions!