126 shifter and upper pannel lights
 

Can the shifter indicator lights be changed w/o pulling the radio out? Does anyone know of a string explaining the procedure for this process. Upper pannel switch lights too.

126 shifter and upper panel lights
 

In my 83 126 (300SD) the upper panel switch lights and shift indicator light use fiber optic lines with one source bulb, unfortunately you need to disassemble the upper center console to get to it. I as well as others have posted this procedure. Here is a link: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/44382-interior-dash-lights.html

Actually the upper panel lights are the fiber optic ones, the shift indicator is a separate bulb located in the left front of the shift gate.

Slide out the ashtray and pop the insert, under there you'll find 2 phillips head screws, remove them and pull the ashtray drawer out. Next slide the coin tray forward and out, disconnecting seat heater switches if equiped. Next the center panel slide forward a couple mm's before lifting at the rear, giving room to disconnect all the window, mirror and fader switches. Once the panel is out you can find the wires going to the bulb holder at the left front of the gate (under the lip), might have a string attached to facilitate pulling the bulb holder from it's recess.

If you find your center panel is broken, or break it yourself read this to repair it.

126 shifter and upper panel lights
 

Mercedes did change the shift indicator light scheme in the later years, I read numerous posts here saying the shift indicator had its own bulb, I originally went down that path but that was not correct for my 83 126, the shift indicator lighting was fiber optic and its source is the same bulb as the upper console panel switch lights.Did you notice if the switch lights and shift indicator lights went out at the same time, if so they are most likely fiber optic, if not, then the shift indicator has is own bulb and the switch lights are fiber optic

My 560, an '86, has the separate bulb for the shift indicator. Not sure if they bounced back and forth between fiber optic and separate bulbs. I do believe many of the later models were fiber optic to the shift gate.

.

Checking the EPC for shifter gate lighting, it appears that '81 thru '85 has the fiber optic system. '86 on, seems to be with a separate bulb. Checked several model #'s and that scenario was true for the ones checked. So, Mike and RSH are both right. Dave, the EPC shows your 1987 420 SEL to have a bulb at the shift gate. Hope it's right ;)

shifter light
 

OK, jb, you got me. What's EPC stand for?

Electronic parts catalog. It's the CD with most MB parts for most models thru yr. 2000. Someone must have "liberated" a set from a dealership and the miracle of modern technology spread it throughout the web.

EPC
 

I have the cd rom for my model. Is that what you mean or the standard list when you call up MB parts from various online warehouses....thanks

Mine is a factory parts list for all (most?) models by year, model and system #. It's a two CD set installed to the hard drive. It gives you the factory part # and/or all supercede #s. It also has exploded views of most systems. You can get prices, compare parts by year, part #, etc. It's only thru yr. 2000 on mine. Some folks even have ISO for it posted on their FTP servers, so others can download. They are all over the place (eBay?); mine is nothing special, just very useful. I haven't seen any model specific EPC's; they cover all models because it is what the dealership uses. If you search this site http://diesel.list.mbz.org/archives/ you'll find a lot of discussion on the EPC.