Bulb changing in R129 Centre Vents - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

stats007 · #1 02-10-2006, 07:27 PM

Does anyone know how to access the lamps (for when headlights are on) for the hot / cold buttons on the centre vent on a R129 SL? I have the unit out but there's no obvious way of access.

LeaUK · #2 02-11-2006, 02:33 AM

Would like to know too as these were the only one's I didn't change...

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=137883&highlight=lamp

stats007 · #3 02-11-2006, 04:30 AM

Hi Lea, I notice you went to a lot of trouble ordering bulbs etc. When I did my dash I just popped into my specialist in Surrey and told him what ones were dead - he gave me a handful of bulbs for nothing and they all fit!

I'll go down in the week if no-one knows how to dismantle the centre vent.

stats007 · #4 02-11-2006, 05:38 AM

OK well I took it apart. Three screws in the base then some careful wiggling. The hard bit is releasing the clear plastic glow panel. The buttons just pop out - though be careful here too. I undid the clips at the top of the unit (4 tabs) and eased it forward - this seemed to help them out. Once the buttons are out the housing for the lamps can slide out of the main housing. This has two spring tabs that you can squeeze and pull it with.

The bulbs appear to be LEDs and are soldered and glued in place so not exactly a simple swap.

Something strange - mine only has three lamps where I'm sure it should have 4?

Apologies for the low quality photo - my digital camera has gone UTS and used my phone.

LeaUK · #5 02-11-2006, 08:59 AM

Hi

Yeah, I don't know why I put so much effort into it, apart from I guess I wanted to have exactly the right bulbs and qty before the IC was removed. However even with all this, MB still managed to supply 60% incorrectly so I had to have the IC out twice! My local garage (although stocking all the regular IC lamps) didn't have some types either.

Well, at least I'm now a dab hand at IC removal :-) and it will come in handy for my ignition barrel exchange - but that's another thread!

Re your fine photo:

I can't quite get my head round the picture, have you any more shots from different angles?

The red illumination is almost certainly derived from red LEDs but where are the incandescent bulbs in your snap shot - the ones that light with the headlamp switch?

Cheers
Lea

stats007 · #6 02-12-2006, 11:37 AM

Photo edited to show one of the lamp locations. The photo shows the bottom half of the assembly - the vents sit on top of the IC - the three dials are at the bottom. The bit I'm holding sits in the centre of the vent housing and the LEDs obviously face forward.

draklof · #7 01-06-2012, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stats007

Photo edited to show one of the lamp locations. The photo shows the bottom half of the assembly - the vents sit on top of the IC - the three dials are at the bottom. The bit I'm holding sits in the centre of the vent housing and the LEDs obviously face forward.

trying to find out how to access and remove whole unit to replace all bulbs in unit thanks in anticipation

draklof · #8 01-06-2012, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stats007

Does anyone know how to access the lamps (for when headlights are on) for the hot / cold buttons on the centre vent on a R129 SL? I have the unit out but there's no obvious way of access.

Please explain how you removed unit i can,t find any obvious fixings i have a 98 sl 320 thanks