PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

jay_bob · #3 09-27-2012, 11:04 PM

The spider on a 240D is not hard to find. It is on the left side of the inner console support approximately behind the drivers side temperature knob. You can access the spider by removing the auxiliary switch panel.

Carefully using a small flat-blade pry between the bottom of the dome light rocker and the wood. The lower piece of the switch front will move up slightly and the switch will pop out. Pull it out enough to unplug the connector and carefully slip the F.O. cable out.
Repeat with the defroster switch.

Now stick your fingers in the openings and carefully pull straight out. The panel is held only by friction clips. Disconnect the remaining switches. Note the antenna switch gets two fibers because it lights up both halves of the rocker.

Wear thin work gloves, there are sharp things that bite back in there.

If you have little hands, you should be able to reach in and unclip the spider from the side of the console inner housing and bring it up. If your hands are big like mine, you can move the a/c temp wheel by releasing the tabs and pushing the switch into the dash then sliding it over to the right. That will give you more room.

Undo all the fibers, grab a Q-tip and rubbing alcohol, clean the dirt off the ends of the fiber cables. Change the spider bulb with a fresh one. Go ahead and change the bulb in the side of the temp wheel while you're at it.

You can also clean the grunge off the rocker switches with gentle application of alcohol with the Q-tips. Remember the alcohol dissolves the dirt but leaves it floating on the surface so use a fresh Q-tip to clean it off before it evaporates. Don't rub too hard or you might dissolve the graphics.

When you are ready to put everything back together, put the temp wheel back first. Then get the connectors started through the openings in the faceplate. Put a fiber loose in each hole, 2 in the antenna switch hole. Pop the plate back in with the wires hanging out.

Now reattach the connector to the back of each switch and then thread the tip of the fiber into the pocket on the back of the connector until it bottoms out up inside the switch. Then carefully put the switch back in its opening.

Enjoy your newly lit up switch panel.