There is a very irritating rattle coming from--I think--the roof mounted switch console on my C200. My car was built for August 1998 and so is a facelifted car. It has a panel in the roof with four switched for the interior lights, two interior lights, and a map reading light.

The rattle goes away if I exert slight upwards pressure on the switch console. I figure it could be slightly ill-fitting plastics or a rubbing against the roof or roof lining.

It is very easy to remove the big interior light lenses. What I want to know is how to remove and re-fit the rest, that is the black trim panel and switches, and the pale grey plastic unit that holds all the works.

My first step is to put some black felt in the small gap between the switch console and the rear view mirror attachment. If that doesn't cure it, I want to re-fit the switch console with new clips if necessary and may be glue it up.

MBenz??

Jonathan,

Take out the rear view mirror pulling it gently by the foot (not the mirror!). If your mirror is auto dimming or has a receiver for the remote control, you should be very gentle with it (as in pulling it out knowing that the wire to the mirror has a limited length).
The courtesy light can be removed with the rearview mirror in place, but I won't recommend that (the plastic cover of the courtesy unit sticks under the foot of the mirror).
After the rear view mirror is removed you can easily pry out the complete courtesy light unit and see what causes the rattling. It might be the steel bracket for the mirror (sometimes (one of) the 3 Phillips screws come loose).
The courtesy light unit with the switches is pretty tight and I don't think that the unit itself rattles...

good luck & greetingz,

Thanks MBenz.

I removed the rear view mirror this evening. One of the three screws was slightly loose (about one turn). There is about 5 mm of movement between the courtesy light panel/headlining and the roof, but I don't think this is the rattle. When I reassembled the mirror (I was worried that might be difficult, but I had no problems) it seemed much more solid with no play between the mirror foot and the courtesy light panel.

We'll see tomorrow. I've got about 300 miles of driving to do, that should show up any more problems. There's definitely a faint dashboard rattle...

[Edited by jjrodger on 06-14-2001 at 05:34 PM]

Try pressing the center console panel; these tend to rattle around the radio and/or heater control unit which might be your problem.

greetingz,

I have tried pressing the centre console panel and it makes no difference. I think the rattle might be from the radio, though. I have a Sony radio with a removeable facia. We have had several cars with this kind of radio and they have all rattled a little. I am going to remove and reinstall it at the weekend.

The C43 I tried yesterday rattled as well. I remain very tempted by that car.