Replacing Cruise Control Switch in W124
 

I have done a search and seen some similar threads but not this exact topic. My cruise control switch on my 1994 E320 wagon broke - first the stick came off for the previous owner, finally it no longer responds to my giving it the finger (!). So I got a new switch and looked up the procedure to replace it on the Mercedes cds. Wow! there is a lot to doing this, apparently - remove lower cover on driver's side (68-150), remove airbag (91-660), remove steering wheel (46-8240) and FINALLY Removal and Installation of Pushbutton Switch (30-545). Is this a DIY job? How long should it take for someone of average skills? I never worked on an airbag, that makes me a little nervous, and I am going on a long trip in two weeks so I CAN'T spend more than a day on it. Any helpful hints also welcome!

Make sure you follow the factory service manual carefully for removing the air bag. You will have to lift up the passenger side carpet to get to the disconnect to make the airbag removal safe. Just follow the instructions carefully. When you put the airbag away, lay it on the bench or shelf with the airbag up. That way if something were to happen and it went off, it would not be launching the metal side as a projectile.

Also, when loosening the steering wheel bolt, hold the steering wheel against the wrench, don't put strain on the steering wheel lock, you could damage it by putting a nick in the plunger such that it would no longer work properly. Believe me changing the cruise control switch is not as tricky as the steering lock.

Good luck,

Fiddly but not difficult. The airbag is the only potential problem, and if you unplug it it's quite safe -- listen to Larry, he knows what he's doing.

I did my cruise control switch while I was doing the evaporator, kinda silly not to since I had the entire dash out at the time!

Couple hours, no more.

Peter