I have owned my 85 280CE Euro for over 15 years. The other day was sitting in the drivers seat, drivers door open, key in my pocket, and mistakenly touched the electric window switch. To my supprise the window worked. In fact, with the drivers door open passengers window also worked. Closed the door, and the windows did not work. Windows did not work with the right side door open, only drivers side door. Is this the case with all 123's or do I have an electrical glitch?, or is this common knowledge?

I do not know about the passenger side, but that is the way it is on my SL

Electric windows on any used Mercedes can have the personality of a British car's electric... anything. Every Mercedes I've owned or driven (except for the obviously new, well maintained ones, never been lucky enough to own a new one) have had mysterious windows.

AFAIK the key has to be in position 2 for accessories (windows, electric mirror adjust, sunroof, etc) to work.

If the key switch is in position 0, and accessories work, there's an electrical fault.

The only live wires on a w123 are the hazard and exterior lights.

That is how I understand it, unless the European versions are that different.

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

can't say for the 123 but on my 124 if either of the front doors are open you can operate any of the windows and the sunroof. Maybe 123's with electric windows have the same feature?
My 124 also has 'total closure', i.e. if you hold the key in either front door lock for a few secs after locking it'll automatically close any open windows/sunroof. Even my friends with newer cars thinks it's a cool feature

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1993 320TE M104
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past:

1983 230E W123 M102
1994 E300D S124 OM606 (x2)
1967 250SE W108 M129
1972 280se 3.5 W108 M116
1980 280SE W116 M110
1980 350SE W116 M116
1992 300E W124 M103
1994 E280 W124 M104
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"music and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business" -Pepys

Opening the doors or touching & moving the rubber cover of the wire bundle will cause some non working windows to work.

Hmm my w123 doesn't do this

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-Typos courtesy of my mobile phone.

This sounds similar to the seat controls. I know that they will work with the keys out and the doors open but not when the doors are closed. (Just went to check, my windows don't work unless the key is in) It does sounds like this could have been a Euro standard or at least an option. (Don't forget that the new models can open and close the windows with the key not being in the ignition.)

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

My euro SL does this. No others.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

My euro w126 does do it, my US w123 does not. The euro wagon isn't at the house, so I don't know about that one (bet it does!). Neat trick - didn't know that. No keys.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

On my US W126 the windows, seats, and sunroof work in key position 1, and the seats work when either front door is opened.

-J

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.