Replacing bulb in air vent

[CJ]

I just replaced the bulb that illuminates the open/close dial wheel.
The repair took less than 5 minutes. Here is how it worked on my 1991 124
Take a flashlight and look into the vent. You will see four square shaped clips. Two on the top and two on the bottom. These clips are little pieces of spring loaded metal that hold the vent in place. Carefully take a tiny flat head screw driver and pull the top two clips downwards. You only have to move them down a hair or so. At the same time you want to gently pull out on the vent. Next do the bottom clips, which will be pulled upwards. The vent should come out easily. You should be able to see that all four clips are released. Unplug the bulb harness, remove the bulb and replace the bulb in the socket. To install the vent, line up the vent and then push it in gently.

I hope that this helps some members. This repair is not critical, but I just like to keep my car in 110% at all times and like to share my repairs so others may do them as well.
Good luck!!!

[CJ]

Did anyone benefit from this post?

[joel]

thanks for sharing the info. i'm sure everyone
did benefit from it.
cheers, joel

[300EVIL]

thanks a lot, that just solved one of my millions of questions. do i have to get original MB lamps or can i get them at a parts store?

[nellotare]

CJ, As long as I "learn" something, then I benefit.. and the good thing about this forum is I'm always learning something. I don't have a 124, but if in my travels through life, the opportunity presents itself then I can share your information with someone who is interested.. I now have some knowledge that I didn't have before.. and that in itself is important to me. Yes, I benefited.. so, thank you for sharing your experience.

[CJ]

Adam,
I was told only to use the MBZ bulb because others will fit the car, but the higher wattage will distort the plastic holder. The bulbe was $1.05 including tax.
Good luck!!!

[dakota]

Thanks, CJ. I just noticed about a week ago that my two outside vent lamps were off and I wondered how to get at them. Now I know! Thanks for the information!

[Crowe]

For just a little more detail about the procedure and bulb required see the link below:

http://www.mbca.org/MBCA_Remove_dash_vents.htm

[Crowe]

The bulb holder in the center vent is different that the two outside vents. Once you remove the vent as per the directions above, you gain access to the bulb by prying up the plastic cover at the bottom of the vent where the wires enter. I would recommend you purchase the bulbs through PartsShop or another source rather than the dealer. My dealer charged $4.30 per bulb.

[dtanesq]

Yes, I benefited from your post. The car your 124 wheels are going on needed a bulb replacement and I hadn't gotten around to looking anywhere for how to do it.