The dome light in my '83 300SD doesn't work. The switch wheel doesn't make contact anymore. I was looking on parts.mbz.org for a replacement, but there are two:

a) interior light switch
http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/buymb/wizard.jsp?partner=buymb&clientid=parts.mbz.org&baseurl=http://parts.mbz.org/&cookieid=15F0XWGBH&year=1983&make=MB&model=300-SD-002&category=P&part=Interior+Light+Switch

and
b) interior light
http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/buymb/quote.jsp?clientid=parts.mbz.org&cookieid=15F0XWGBH&baseurl=http://parts.mbz.org/&partner=buymb&year=1983&product=P9040-16699&application=000256626


There's a ~$40 difference, and I'm not sure which to get. Any help?

Also, the light on the instrument panel that looks like a coil and tells you when the glow plugs have finished warming up the engine so you can turn the key over, that light doesn't work on my car anymore. On my '84 300SD there was that light, and also a buzzing sound, but on the '83 there was never any sound, just the light. So now I kinda have to guess when to turn the engine over. It's not a big deal, just kind of a nuissance, and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas. I replaced the fuse for the instrument panel, and the other lights (brake, etc) work fine.

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Gabriel
'91 350SD 162k
'83 300SD 210k - rear-ended and scrapped
'84 300SD 210k - totalled

Shame on you for shopping elsewhere and then popping over here to ask for free advice.

The notes on thos links tell you which part is which. Are you telling us that you need the switch wheel and don't know which part it is? Or are you asking if you need the switch wheel or something else?

Check for a burned out out bulb in the glow indicator spot.

And if you know what part you need, but have trouble locating it in Fastlane, then call Phil.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

The interior light switch is the one that turns on the rear dome light. As for the lack of buzzing, I think that the previous owner unplugged the cable to the seatbelt warning unit under the driver's seat

A non-working glow indicator can also be indicative of a bad glow plug, or failed strip fuse in the glow relay.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

Your links. One is a swith the other is the complete light assembly and switch. You should check with Phil. There are two of these lights. On has two bulbs and two lens one has one bulb and bulb.
As to your glow plug.
Do a search under "Glow plugs" and you will get all the info you need.
I would check my Number 1 plug with a meter. That is probably why you light isn't working.
Use only Bosch glow plugs The Champion and Monarch are crap and not worth the savings.
"Do it right once."
Charlie

You know, I had no idea this site had a parts store until now. I just found the forum through google a couple of years ago. I've been shopping at parts.mbz.org for a long time... sorry about the seeming disloyalty.

Anyway, the two catalogs seem to be the identical, except for the prices.

Thanks for the advice about the glow plugs, I'll check the bulb and the plugs themselves.

__________________
Gabriel
'91 350SD 162k
'83 300SD 210k - rear-ended and scrapped
'84 300SD 210k - totalled

If the domelight switch can be examined in detail, maybe you can see why it doesn't make contact anymore, and correct it, maybe by bending a part or shimming to make the parts contact again. A few minutes of patient tinkering can sometimes save buying a new unit.

When I bought our Euro 300D, the dome light switch was broken, so the dome light remained dark. Rather than spend the bucks for a new fixture, I retrofitted a SPDT rocker switch in the space vacated by the rotary switch. There's no light in the car as I walk away, and I have to leave the door open to find the right key, but the rocker really rocks otherwise.

Phil
'84 Euro 300D, dome light really rocks
'85 300D, OEM dome light