Hi all, I am wiring in a set of illuminated door sills on my 560SEL. I need access to the front left and right side door switch. The switch the powers the lights when you open the door. I assume that I will need to remove the kick panel but with a kick look I couldn't find anything obvious. Can anyone point out to me how this comes out?

Cheers
Matt.

Matt,

I just spent some time looking through the manual to find the how-to. Came up empty, probably there I just haven't located it. Not much help here though, the kick panels are about the only pieces I haven't pulled on the 560 .

I'm thinking you will have to remove the underdash and the hood release lever/cable before being able to work the panel out, not sure about the passenger side though. I do not recall seeing any screws at the bottom edge (under the front carpets). The door edge of the panel is likely to be situated under the trim piece.

Hope this helps some.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Thanks Mike, you're starting to become my 560 guru - if you could just go ahead and write up all the work you've done so far that would be great :-)

Cheers
Matt.

That's funny Matt. I have been sort of documenting the car in about three posts, mostly in the Open Forum. Current documentation is located here . I have been posting mostly in the Open Forum because I'm outlining what I've accomplished, not asking too many questions. At least until the past day or two that is.

When I first heard about this 560, I asked a few questions about it in one thread, the next thread dealt with getting it home, and the last details the work I have accomplished.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Ok, I just finished putting my sills in - it took me a while.
I was able to wire both sills to the passenger side.

The first step is to remove fuse #15 from the fuse box. This is the fuse that controls the courtesy lights as well as many other things.
(All passenger side)
First I took the carpet in the footwell. There should be a black piece of plastic with a warning sticker. The plastic is only attached with the nut in the bottom center. Remove that nut and pull the plastic up and out. Now you should see a bunch of wires. The next step is to take out the carpet piece on the right. This is a little more complicated. With the sills off, remove the trim that goes around the door opening. It will just pull off with a little force. Then just pull the carpet piece back/out and then forward/out. I accidently broke one of the clips holding it on, but its not noticeable after reassembly. Ok, now there are a couple of clusters of wires running up the side. Make a small cut in the cluster that looks like electrical tape wound around some wires. The harness you want is tacky on the outside. Once you can see the wires on the inside, locate a brown wire with a single white strip running down its length. This is the door switch ground. Strip a little insulation off the wire and solder the black insulated wire to it. I then taped the joint thoroughly with electrical tape so it wouldn't come in contact with anything else. Next, locate a wire with red insulation and a single white strip down it's length. Strip a little insulation off and solder the joint. Tape this joint as well and then wrap the entire harness where you cut with electrical tape. Then reassemble the car and don't forget to put the fuse back in.

Sorry this is so long, but if I can help with anything else please let me know.

Peter

Thanks for your reply Peter. Do you have a 126? You say "with the sill removed" - is this the existing plastic sills that you had to remove?

Cheers
Matt.

Matt -
Yes, I have a 1988 420sel. I removed the plastic sills first to clean them and to ensure that the new sills were attached well. They aren't hard to remove. Just pull up on the edge hanging out of the car. If you keep pulling the other clips holding it on will release. I have never broken one, so I don't think they are very fragile, but you might want to be careful just in case.

BTW - Do all of your sills light up, or just the front ones?

Yes all four of mine light up. I have done a little test run with a 12volt charger and they look very cool. Can't wait to get them installed. Are yours front only?

Cheers
Matt.