There is a round knob next to the headlight switch that can be both pulled and pushed. When released, it springs back to the middle position. What is it for?

Also, the shift indicator does not move when I move the (column) shift lever.
Is there a part in there that commonly breaks that I should order when I get the engine parts? I don't know when will I have time to pull all that apart.
Thanks,

Csaba
72 280SEL, silver

There is one to the right of the light switch which is for the electric rear defroster.
Looks like this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300814349760?item=300814349760&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&cmd=ViewItem&hash=item4609eeb5c0&vxp=mtr

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1972 W108 280SE 4.5
1977 W116 450SEL
1981 E12 528i BMW

The shift indicator has a cable that goes down to the shift rod and hooks on, maybe it is just unhooked.

Follow steering/shift column down and look on the right side, you'll see the lever that the wire hooks on to, and probably nearby, the wire end fitting (it is rectangular, more or less)

Post a pic of the knob...

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Looking for Early 108 windshield surround wood in decent-to-good condition.

You will likely have to pull the steering column out to repair the string/cable. This is not really that big of a job. It just sounds like it.

You will be amazed when you see how this cable thing works. It is really the simplest thing, but you need to find out why it is slipping off. You might be able to repair it by cutting the groove the cable fits into with a small file.

Is this a 108 with air suspension? The suspension engagement knob is normally located under the dash on the far left side, but there is no reason it could not have been re-located by a previous owner.

I photo would be very helpful. I just checked a 1971 6.3 owners manual and it shows only the headlight knob in this area.

If you're replacing the wire (meaning its broken like mine), you'll have to remove the selector body from the back of the cluster. You remove the 3 philips screws from the back. The wire stays with the selector body. You need to pivot it on the passenger side of the cluster if I remember correctly. For me this was a bear and I ended up breaking the wire trying to wrestle the body back into the cluster.

And it's definitely the rear defroster knob he's talking about. He doesn't have air suspension.

Best Regards,

David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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>There is one to the right of the light switch which is for the electric rear >defroster. Looks like this

Yup, looks exactly like that!

To everyone else, thanks for the pointers for the shift indicator, I'll look into it once it warms up a bit!
Thanks,

Csaba