So I've got a 1976 300d, that was mistreated and is requiring a lot of attention. I've got most of the major mechanical problems sorted out now, but the next big thing is electrical- and I need help.

Instead of being able to warm the glow plugs with the ignition switch, someone installed a cheap hardware-store switch/button under my dash on the drivers left hand side. So I have to hold the button in (the glow plug light still works) to warm the plugs. This would all be well and good but the switch heats up to the point where I have to hold it with hot pads and it burns holes through them. This is getting worse and worse (as things do). What was this guy thinking and how do I fix it?

Thanks in advance!

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1976 300D 217k...an old car needin some love. (GONE OFF TO RUSTY CAR HEAVEN)

1982 240D probably something like 190,000 miles...was Old Yeller, but I changed the name to Buttercup