'94 E320 power window stuck open

[Robby Ackerman]

Last night after a musical performance my wife brought four singers home. A young Ukrainian in the back seat, passenger side hit the window button to open the window an inch or so. The window rolled completely down where it is happy to remain.

The window is getting power in the down position when either the front console switch or the switch on the back door is used. I can hear the regulator sort of click like it does when you hit the switch and the window is already up or down. When I use either switch to raise the window there is no sound coming from the door. Do I simply have a bad regulator or is there something else to look at here?

How do I remove the back door panel?

Question 2: The auto down function on the driver's window switch does not work though the window opens fine as long as I hold the switch in the down position. Is this problem in the switch? This has been going on for 6 months and is unrelated to last night's problem with the back window.

[G-Benz]

First problem. Dirt in the center console frequently creates problems for the window switches. Spray some electrical contact cleaner onto (and into) the switches and clean as best as you can. Most likely that will cure your problem.

The rear window mechanism is a common failure on the W124 series. 90% of the time the plastic seat track holder fails, so the window is only precariously attached to the window cable...this would cause the window to go up only partially, or not at all...gravity will allow downward travel (albeit with some noise).

I had to replace both of mine within a year, and back then, you had to buy the whole mechanism ($140 apiece) as the plastic part was not available seperately. That is a $2 or $3 part.

Try not to play with the power window anymore, as you will start to snarl the cable...THEN you will have to get into more repairs.

Unlike other vehicles panels, MB uses vertical clips that slide into the slots, not fasten. So removal requires pulling upwards and not out. Otherwise SEVERE panel damage will result.

You will have to pry the cosmetic plastic cover at the top of the armrest. There is a 10mm bolt that needs to be removed. Then the plastic trim for the inside door handle needs to be removed so that the handle can be disconnected from the panel. A philips screw also holds a plastic cover at the door stop. Remove the ashtray door if desired.

At this point you can grasp the armrest and push upward. The top of the panel is fastened to the window lip with four or so anodized clips. Expect some of them to go flying off when you do the removal. Find them afterwards.

The courtesy light and the window switch are wired, but they are easily removed on order to get the panel completely out of the way.

The door shell is protected with a plastic sheet. Remove it carefully at the edges, as you will have to reglue it back into place.

At this point, there is a lot of raw sheet metal waiting to "samurai" your hands and forearms, so be careful working in this area. But you can easily inspect the inner workings at this time to determine what has failed.

If you have to remove the window mechanism, it is held in place with 3 10mm bolts. It comes out easier I believe if the window is held in the "up" position, but I can't remember.

Anyway, I'll share more as you report on what you've found so far...

[Robby Ackerman]

G-Benz

Thanks for your detailed description. I appreciate your instructions about pulling the panel upwards and not out. If I had started before hearing from you I would have started prying outwards along the bottom of the door.

I'll let you know what I find.

Thanks.

Robby

[Peyton300TD]

i am still a little confused/stumped.

i have been searching on rear door panel removal for the w124. the window is stuck down on my 1993 300E 3.2. your instructions have been by far the clearest and most easy to understand.

what i don't get is when you get to the point where you have removed the plastic cover that overlay's the armrest and window switch. you say to "Then the plastic trim for the inside door handle needs to be removed so that the handle can be disconnected from the panel." i see a black surround by the door handle, but it doens't seem removable. how do you get it out?

thanks a ton, i am really stumped here!

eric