I figured out how to operate the fog lights
 

Well.. I now know that if you pull and then turn the light knob.. it will turn on the fog lights. Prior to that, on the dash there is an indicator thats saying the exterrior lamp is not working. however I don't see any that don't . I looked all around, and even inside! Every single light works! I have a feeling that it COULD be a loose connection somewhere, but thats a lot of work to look for it. I will just leave it how it is and deal with the indicator light on.

*Laters*

Take the bulbs out wipe the bulb bases and fixtures with alcohol or acetone to remove tarnishing or debris and you should be in good shape.

If this still does not work, then work your way down the system and you should be in good shape.

Wait a minute is the light on before you turn on the fog lights?

If it is check you License plate light and check ALL of your tail lights.

if the indicator stays on even after you turn off the lights it's either the brake or turn signal. if the indicator goes off when you switch off a light it could be any of the others. and of course the indicator will reset if you switch off the engine completely. that's what it says in my manual at least. and i found that to be true. those fog lamps gave me problems too, specially when it was cold and damp (and foggy). i even have a pair of H3 bulbs i haven't put on because the fog lamps seem to be working now. i'm gonna clean those contacts if it ever happens again...

the indicator is on all the time..from start to finish.

You need to go from bulb to bulb. I would check your license plate light then the rear lights.

Mine was License Plate
 

Mine comes on when I turn on the lights, then disappears after 5 minutes or so. I have tracked it down to one of the two license plate lights.
--Craig

You might not have a bulb out yet...you see if the resistence (ohms) changes it triggers the light on the dash...this sometimes happens as a bulb is about die. So my advice is just replace the bulbs. But, I'd start with the brake lights since those are used most.

Shaun

I didn't know my car had liscence plate lights. My car is at shop right now.. are the lights in the front or back?

Light Out Indicator
 

Don't forget the center brake light!

I see you want to install Euro lights--good thinking! You will never want DOT's again!


Tom Kanis
87 300SDL
"The Scharnhorst"
155K

License plate lights in the rear, my car has 2, one was out and I didn't think that was my problem until I noticed one side of the plate brighter than the other one night. Changed it and the warning lght went away. Wish I'd figured it out three weeks sooner.:)

I will check it when I get my car back tomorrow. Also, I am going to Europe this Summer after I graduate from High School. I hope to find Euro ligths there and would imagine they would be much much cheaper than the $400-500 lights here.

Let me know...
 

...when and where you are coming. To get W 126 headlights I probably can arange something for you.

Kind regards
Eberhard
eberhard@ikonengold.de

I am going in June, after graduation. I will be going to Poland to visit my family and friends. I will be in Wroclaw(Breslau in German) and since its one of the major cities there, I think I will be able to find lights with no problem.

Snibble,bought my replacement lights in a breakers over here and they cost 25 quid each approx $35 each! Bear

Bear, only $35USD???:eek: wait.. thats for a different model, not a w126 I think.. right? If not... Europe.. here I come :D :D :D

Snibble,thats what I paid for headlights for a 123,but you might like to ask some of the other Brits and europeans how much they pay for salvage spares.
Remember the Mercedes is a lot more prolific this side of the atlantic,so more motors mean more spares to be had in salvage yards.Bear

I changed to Euro headlights in 1992 and they cost around $350 back then.

czesc Tigger!

I didn't know lights were these expensive, even in Poland. thank you

czesc Snibble ;-)
It's hard to believe but many things are more expensive in Poland than you would expect...
On the other hand you should be able to find many used parts at bargain prices. Most people here can't afford new Mercedes parts but you will see a lot of Merces on the streets.

Tigger.. are w126's common in poland? I was there last year, but I didn't pay much attention. I remember the polski fiats :D ... also, you can write back in Polish, I can read..b ut my writing is so bad, that you probably wouldn't understand it :D :D

hahaha....I had my SD for a couple of months before I figured out how to turn on the fog lights! There's no indication on the switch, I discovered it by accident one day! :D :o

Mike

Snibble, 123's and 124's are by far the most common types around, especially as taxis ;-) There aren't that many 126's but still it's not very unusual to see one.
You will also see many new models from A to S klasse on every street.

Replacement light for an '87 W201 from a breakers yard is about £30-£40, i presume thats about $60-$70??

Euro's of course.

Thanks Matt £10 is about $14 so not far off.Of course now we've let the cat out of the bag,that should boost the London tourist industry!I'll forego the nighthood for a drop in my taxes!!!Bear

Poland is crawling with 123s and 124s. I suspect the 126s are a little on ther large size for the roads, but I've seen them around.

I dont know of the new parts, but used are cheap. My uncle runs 2 123s, and hes not rich by any means.

Bear, ill inform parliment, that we require a commission on all MB lights sold!!!

I hope not:D

I could do something mad and different from the norm and fit US lights to my car...anyone want a pair of W201 euros for a straight swap???!!!!

That's a great idea, Matt! Very original!...I bet there's very few MBs running around the UK with US-spec lights! :) Wish I had some to trade.

Mike

Mike, i dont think ive ever seen one. so it could be a first for the uk!