Not that I am smoking, but it is annoying when you have lights that do not work, so here is a question. How do I change the burned bulb in the ashtray? Do I have to remove the entire ashtray (including the base which holds it). If I remove the ashtray I can see the light bulb on the right side of the housing, but there is no way I can change it from that position.

If you have a W124, that can be done in 5 minutes.

Remove the ashtray, then you will see 2 screws at the bottom of the ashtray holder, remove them, full out the ashtray holder, from the back of the holder, pull the bulb seat out, and replace the bulb.

Remove the center console will make it much easier to install ashtray holder, because it gives you more room to adjust, but if you have never done that before, removing console itself may take half an hour.

You can find some info here:

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W124Stereo

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99 BMW 540i 6-speed 110K Km
03 SAAB 9-5 wagon 80K Km
92 400E (Sold) 245K km
Still missing the days with the Benz, it kept me busy.

Does anyone know for sure what models had ashtray lighting? Not that I use my ashtray either, but there is a little piece of translucent white plastic on the right side of the ashtray insert, so I'm thinking that the light shines through this. I never did see a bulb in there. I'm williing to go buy a bulb, but I don't have the old one to take to an auto parts store to compare. Any help appreciated.

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Bob Roe
Lehigh Valley PA USA
1973 Olds 88, 1972 MB 280SE, 1978 Datsun 280Z, 1971 Ford T-Bird, 1972 Olds 88, 1983 Nissan Sentra, 1985 Sentra, 1973 230.6, 1990 Acura Integra, 1991 Volvo 940GLE wagon, 1983 300SD, 1984 300SD, 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon, 2002 Mountaineer, 1991 300TE wagon, 2008 Murano, 2007 R320CDI 4Matic 52K, some Hyundai, 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, all gone... currently
2007 Honda Odyssey Touring, 2014 E350 4matic