W124 Lighted Head Light Swtich Knob?

[Benz Mondi]

On some W124's the middle of the stem that the head light knob is pushed onto has a light bulb that illuminates the orange center of the knob itself. Some do not have one.

Anyone know which knobs from what year cars have this?
Source for the bulbs?

It's always bugged me that looking at the knob at night (other than full headlights on), you can't tell what position it's in. I want to allow for the light from the stem to reach a small hole at the tip that I would create as an indicator.

thanks.

[babymog]

The '91-up have the light, might be '90 but I know '91.

The switch is also connected differently, IIRC the early one has a plug and later one has screw terminals? Maybe just a different plug, ... going from memory.

The difference is that the early switch did not have a rear fog light circuit, and the indicator is for the (2nd detent out) rear fog light.

It is the same bulb that is used in the dash indicator lights, vent controls, most of the dash in the 124.

[Benz Mondi]

Originally Posted by babymog

The '91-up have the light, might be '90 but I know '91.

The switch is also connected differently, IIRC the early one has a plug and later one has screw terminals? Maybe just a different plug, ... going from memory.

The difference is that the early switch did not have a rear fog light circuit, and the indicator is for the (2nd detent out) rear fog light.

It is the same bulb that is used in the dash indicator lights, vent controls, most of the dash in the 124.

Thanks for the info. I'll do a swap of a 92 swtich with my 90 and give an update.

[lsmalley]

I wondered the same thing...I thought maybe my bulb was out because at a junk yard I took apart a dash and saw there was a bulb. When I got back home to check mine, no bulb was there.

[MBeige]

Originally Posted by Benz Mondi

Thanks for the info. I'll do a swap of a 92 swtich with my 90 and give an update.

The light only works with the switched pulled to the 2nd detent to activate the rear fogs. You can only use this when you are using both front lights (head/fog) and rear lights.

Otherwise, the switch knob remains unlit. I think you plan to re-wire so it illuminates whenever the switch is on either right side positions.

If I had any doubt of what position it was, I just place my hand and feel, it is clear enough to me and won't require my eyes be taken off the road.

The W124 headlight switch bezel should have illuminated icons/labels, in case yours aren't.

[babymog]

The 124 front & rear fog lights do not require headlamps on (thankfully), only the running lights.