For information, here are the part numbers:

MB Part Number
Description
Qty

MN072601012230 GD005B
Bulb behind panel 103
x2

MA0025440294 GD005A
Bulb Instrument Cluster 2W
x4

A 000 545 34 19
Socket Lamp IC 1.2W
x2

MN072601012230
Bulb IC
x1

A0025440194
Bulb Fog lamp control
x2*

*There are 2 lamps in the rotary head lamp switch assy. one for the orange rear fog indicator and one for the general surrounding illumination. MB say these lamps are identical - but I'm not sure until I inspect!

MB also say the bulb holder within the rotary head lamp switch simply pulls out - I'm not sure about that either but it does appear the only way!

Lea

Just read your PM. The rotary switch just pulls out. The fog indicator light is in the center of the shaft, so you need wee fingers to remove.

Hi G-Benz

Thanks for the reply.

I have no PM waiting so sorry, my PM mail box says nothing is waiting!

If you look at my picci, you'll see I've already dismantled the panel surrounding the control, however, I'm still a little worried about the force required to remove the bulb housing...

It's not the rear fog lamp indicator I want to replace, it's the rotary switch panel illumination, which is supplied by another lamp...

Cheers
Lea

G-Benz - whoops I incorrectly read your sentence hence my probably confusing reply! You meant that you have just read myPM I recently sent to you and was offering some guidance. Thanks

OK, more info for about removing the IC if anyone's interested... IC PN: A 129 540 36 48

Had the IC out this morning, total time was around 3 hours (not just removal but complete IC strip down and investigation). It needed an IC puller tool and a little hand pressure on the IC rear. Reaching up and pushing the IC would only budge one end and although I was reluctant to use the puller tools for fear of cracking the lens, I was forced to. So here's my tips:

1. Get a puller tool - you'll need at least one.
2. Remove the under dash carpet panel - dead easy just a few screws.
3. Place hand up behind the IC and give it a serious push. For my car one side came free but the other remained stubborn and wouldn't shift an inch.
4. Use the puller tool - special tips:

4a. With the tip angled at 12 o'clock push the tool inwards beside the IC and turn towards the IC by 90 degs, now angle the tool outwards away from the IC at around 40 degs and pull the tool towards you gently.

You will know when it successfully locates into the designated IC slots as the tool will refuse to rotate. That's a BIG clue. Keep the tool angled at 30-40 degs and pull the dash in bite size nibbles.

Worked a treat for me.

OK so on with the lamps...

Firstly I couldn't find this lamp in my dash - (maybe the temperature module lamp??? - see below)

MN072601012230
Bulb IC
x1

Secondly there are a minimum of 4 of these:
A 000 545 34 19
Socket Lamp IC 1.2W

the 4 illuminate things like the odometer (remember mines mechanical) BUT they are also used for the 'Tell-Tale' lights, these are the lamps at the bottom indicating ABS, SRS, Beam, Screen Wash etc..etc... You will need to count how many you have and add them onto the 4.

All these are accessible without the IC being fully removed, ie all cables still connected just pulled out from the dash.

Now on with the unknown.

You wil need 4 of these:
MA0025440294 GD005A
Bulb Instrument Cluster 2W

BUT, the IC needs to be taken completely out and the rear cover removed to access the holders - I'm told this is very unusual in the trade, however it's true. Removal of the rear and front glass is a DIY job, however extreme caution and common sense is required. It was rather nerve-racking even for me when considering the front glass is around 150GBP alone!

There are a further 4 x A 000 545 34 19 (I think) illuminating the oil pressure warning, fuel warning etc.... these too are not accessible unless the IC rear panel is removed.

Now (if anyone has made it this far), my reason for IC removal was to replace the outside temperature display lamp, and guess what - you CAN'T! Well, you can't easily - see pictures of the lamp soldered onto the temp module attached.

I suspect the lamp is a standard 1.2W but I need to check...

Edit - Update

I suspect the module MB PN A 129 542 00 05 (and the IC) was manufactured by Siemens as it has VDO stamped over it - so I've emailed Siemens. Let's hope they're feeling helpful :)

Lea

With regards to the illusive bulb that lights the rotary light switch panel, I have discovered it's socket is common to the CD shelf lighting PN: A 124 825 00 82 which happens to take a A 000 825 00 94 lamp - although this has been replaced by the N 000000 001061.

So, common sense says if the same socket is used the same lamp should be ??

Best thing is to simply pull the poxy bulb out - if I could!! It's dark now.. time for some dinner!


EDIT - see post #24 for the answer...

Lea

Hi Lea,
I used SPC 7219 bulb for IC temperature gauge. It's 0.72 Watt bulb. It also works good for the radio illumination. I got them from Newark Electronics
http://newarkinone.com/
p/n 50N8166

Reg. Mike

Hi Mike

That's handy as Farnell own Newark and that's one of my larger electronic suppliers over here - http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=1450219&N=0

Here's a inexpensive version too :-) http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=328870&N=401

How did you locate the exact wattage or does it simply look about right in your dash?



Cheers
Lea

Lea, I had a few of them left over from radio repair and decided to try. It is a little on a dimmer side compare to the rest of the lights in there.
Mike

Mike

The correct lamp size is T1 1/4 (silly size) and you guessed it, Siemens VDO will not help, however like you I opted for a T1 and the only thing I could get my hands was one I don't even know the wattage of! However, it was a success and at least I can now see the temp display clearly. The lamp's probably within 0.3W of the original spec.

OK, to replace this lamp I had to remove and strip the IC again - but this time it took only 15 minutes! :)

I've attached some pics of the IC showing the relevant screws and bulbs - maybe of interest to some?

Also, I pulled the rotary light switch panel off and managed to remove the bulb holder, this time I pulled significantly harder and it popped out - the lamp turns out to be the same used behind the HVAC controls. So off to Benz tomorrow :)

Note:
Pic two shows lamps that are accessible without strip down + screws that allow the rear cover to be removed.

Pic three shows the two screws that hold the lens on.

The last piccy shows examples of the hidden lamps mentioned in one of my previous posts. These are the IC illumination 2W lamps and 1.2W tell-tale lamps for low-fuel, low water etc...

Just a couple more pics....

Pic number one shows where to place a flat blade screw driver and apply a little twist to remove the front lens - don't forget to remove the front cover screws first! (see pic three above) Start at the edges and work around easing the front cover off - it's not too hair raising ohnest...

Pic two the illusing rotary switch panel lamp...

Another word of caution. The five plastic spring clips you see on the bottom of the IC may have become brittle over time. Extreme caution to use only enough prying to disengage them is recommended. Try small shims only thick enough to clear the detent.

Just a quick update, the lamps within the AC unit are the same as behind panel 103, the HVAC control wheel panel.

Are the bulbs behind HVAC panel 103 (MN072601012230 GD005B) particularly special to MB or are they the usual push fit bulbs used in W124/R219 dash illumination?

Cheers,

Richard