lights on center console

[fz500sel]

Vehicle: 1985 300D

The light(s) that illuminate the top four switches on my center console (courtesy light, antenna, rear defrost, and sunroof) do not light up the switches. I attempted to take out my dash and when I couldn't get it disconnected from the center console, I just put the whole thing back together. I'm thinking that when I was pulling the dash and it was moving the center console, I accidentally disconnected the light or lights that illuminate these 4 switches. The defrost switch will light up as its supposed to when I turn the switch on, but all 4 of these switches should be dimly lit as soon as I turn on my headlights.

My question is: Are these lit up via a light or lights behind the switches deep in the dash or are they lit up at the switch itself (i.e, an LED is in the switch)?

Thanks,

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FrankieZ
84 500SEL EURO 87K
85 300D 267K (and still goin' strong)

fz500sel,
I have a 83 300CD which is probably similar to your 300D.
I have had the same situation and all it took was to remove the wood trim around the climate control unit to give you access to a plastic plate behind it.
I removed the mounting screws of the plastic plate to get access to the bulbs.
Mine had a continuous lighting wire that supplied power to two lights for the climate control unit and one light mounted to a socket that had four hollow plastic tubes that ran to the four switches along the top of the center console. This one bulb lights all four switches by passing the light from the bulb through the plastic tubes. Replacing the bulb is cheap and easy however re-assembling everything is a little tricky because there is not alot of slack in the wiring with everything mounted. As for the bulb I just took the old bulb to a local auto parts place and they looked-up the specs and found a replacement for it.
I hope this helps.

Good Luck
jsly

[fz500sel]

thanks. I will take a look at it.


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FrankieZ
84 500SEL EURO 87K
85 300D 267K (and still goin' strong)

[fz500sel]

Just an update, fellas.

I took out the climate control and found that when I was pulling on the dash, I pulled the bulb out of the holder with the fiber optics going to the upper switches. I must've broken the bulb when I got frustrated and put everything back togehter. I replaced it with the bulb that is for the climate control temp wheel. I figure after I get a new bulb it will make it easier to replace since I won't have to take the climate control module out fully.

I'm learning more'n more about my MB's everyday thanks to you fellas.


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FrankieZ
84 500SEL EURO 87K
85 300D 267K (and still goin' strong)

[This message has been edited by fz500sel (edited 09-25-2000).]