THe cigar lighter in my 1987 420SL is non functioning, nor is any light that may be there to illuminate the ashtray. The fuse is OK. The only clue could be that when I pull the ashtray to open it, the whole ashtray comes out, i.e. the metal 'spring' is not retaining it.
Is there a lead that should plug into the ashtray to pwer it?

Yes there is a connector (power & ground) right behind the ashtray holding bracket on left hand side.also the illuminate lite blub.
You have to remove the bracket (two screws) to find the connector & blub.
The ashtray only has spring contects.

Thanks MB Stars. Does the lead need to plug into the ashtray, or the bracket?

The connection is actually to the bracket, and the ashtray has a contact that resembles a hinge track on the left. Be careful when you remove the ashtray bracket, since it can be tight within the console, and the two prongs can be ripped from the connecting wires in a >10 year old car (don't ask me how I know this... ).

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Thanks for the warning! I have removed the ashtray frame and the connector is there and seems OK. I've cleaned up the contact points and they seem fine now. However inside the actual socket for the lighter it seems very yucky. Are there any special tips on how to clean that up? Or should I just wrap my finger in emery paper and rub away? Could that damage anything?

I've had the same problem on my 560. The problem is that the ashtray itself is not fully engaged in the bracket. It should "hook" in at the bottom, then rotate (close) into place. If the hooks on the bottom of the ashtray don't lock with the bracket, the lighter won't work.

The ashtray pivots fine but the metal tab at the back does not 'catch' it when I open it. The ashtray just pulls out of the console.
Does this tab have to make contact with something to complete a circuit of some kind?