I can't find the spider! ('83 240D)

[Yumeko-chan]

Ok, I'm replacing some light bulbs. I have a manual CCU. I replaced the three light bulbs in the CCU, and now I'm looking for the "spider" so I can replace the light bulb in that so I can have my upper switch panel light up again. I can't seem to find it for the life of me. Is there any way to find it without having to take out the CCU?

[tbomachines]

Originally Posted by Yumeko-chan

Ok, I'm replacing some light bulbs. I have a manual CCU. I replaced the three light bulbs in the CCU, and now I'm looking for the "spider" so I can replace the light bulb in that so I can have my upper switch panel light up again. I can't seem to find it for the life of me. Is there any way to find it without having to take out the CCU?

It's all the way back against the firewall, you'll be in up to your elbow. And just a word of warning, do not pluck any of the fiber optic lines off of the spider, they're difficult to get back on! If you follow the wire with the three ccu bulbs on it, it will reach back and hit the firewall for that bulb as well, they are on the same wire.

[jay_bob]

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.

[jay_bob]

Also back to your point about the CCU, there are actually 5 bulbs. There are 3 in the knobs and there are 2 more behind the panel.

It is best to get these from behind the panel because the plastic on the panel tends to disintegrate after 30 years and crumble. IE Don't undo the big nuts behind the knobs, or the whole thing will fall apart on you. Luckily I came across a NOS one on eBay.

The two upper bulbs can be reached while you have the auxiliary panel out. They are on the same string with the spider bulb (say it with me, spider bulb, spider bulb, does whatever that spider bulb does....) and can be pulled out from behind the panel.

Also just FYI if you need to change out the dial switches that can be done from behind as well. You just have to be a contortionist to get your hands back there but it is possible.

[Austin85]

I need to get to this on my 83 240D. Anyone have pictures they can post on this work? If not, it's ok too. I will be using the big 'ol basketball hands...
Thanks, Austin

Originally Posted by jay_bob

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.

[bricktron]

mine had three optical lines on it, but the fixture has six points of attachment. has anyone added three more and strung them to other switches or devices? seems like an obvious mod if you have any more accessories...

[daw_two]

I can post pics --- I have mind all apart on my 1984 300D.

[Doktor Bert]

Found it.....the dash spider.

[Austin85]

Originally Posted by daw_two

I can post pics --- I have mind all apart on my 1984 300D.

Reminder.

[daw_two]

A manual airbox is commonly found in a 240D; however some owners of 300D have converted their car to a manual airbox.

The light is made by 3 different methods:

1. bulbs
2. light via fiber optic from the spider
3. tiny bulbs on the end of the control knob shaft --- fan switch is an example.

The spider is located directly behind the driver side head control on the inside of the front mounting bracket.