Replacing shifter bulb
 

I am trying to replace the shifter bulb in my 84 300sd. Ihave everything exposed. The two wires in the front of the shifter appear to be the wires to the bulb. I cannot get the bulb socket out of the shifter. Does the socket go straight up (vertical). Or is it installed horizontally. Dont want to break anything and cannot see the end of the wires except by feel.
Any help would be appreciated. John

My 1984 300SD has no bulb to the shifter; instead it is lighted by a fiber optic cable from the "octopus" behind the climate control PBU. The cable flattens out to a "ribbon" on which the PRND3 is logo sits. In the past, others have disagreed with this discription, but I KNOW, that on MY car this is how it is. There is some discussion of this in the "search" function.

May be why you can't find the bulb? ;)

A flashlight and a small mechanic's swivel-head mirror would let you see where the wires go.

JBA's 84SD has optic fiber. My 86 300SDL has a two wires, front of shifter, left (driver) side. I pulled them straight down, wiggled a bit and the socket and bulb came out.

Have a look first, and good luck.

Best Regards,
Jim

Thanks for the input guys. After searching the archives and reading the bulb/no bulb controversy I found my setup to be a fibre optic as described by golden rule. The tipoff seems to be that the panel switches for sliding roof, antenna, etc did not have lights as well. All fibre optic and light supplied by the octopus light fixture behind the a/c. There is a daisy chain of lights that feed the ac panel. Four of the bulbs feed the ac and the middle bulb in the daisy chain fits in the octopus fixture behind the ac. Thanks again
Horizona

I'm glad you found the solution and can now solve two light problems at once.

Hey golden rule. Bought my 300sd new for my wife. Now turning 350K Other than glow plugs and valve adjustments engine is still solid. I have been looking to relace it. Nothing seems to compare for size, ride quality and economy. She says ABSOLUTELY NO. Going to have to keep it until it dies. That could still be a long time.
John (horizona)

Brought this old chestnut up to show the 81-85 126 style in a picture.