The subject pretty well sums it up: I was driving late yesterday evening and heard a fairly loud "thump" along the driver's side front. Initially I thought nothing of it, and because I was in a hurry I didn't stop right away. Then, later in the evening noticed my left turn signal was blinking like twice as fast as it should be.

Turns out, the entire driver's side parking light assembly is GONE!! (except for a little bit of plastic still held on by the retaining screw...) I probably had the thing loosened while I was installing my Cibie Euro lights, and I must not have gotten the two tabs seated correctly under the flanges.

I guess I have a few questions, including "what do I do now?", "What can I do to make sure the next one doesn't fly off also," is there a chance that my old assembly is still intact, 12 hours after smashing onto I-78 at speed, does anyone have a spare/used one from a parts car, how much for a "new" one (shudder)?? Any help greatly appreciated.

I just found a picture of one of these on Ebay. http://images.honesty.com/imagedata/...0/32702060.jpg I think I figured out what happened, too. Apparently, one of the tabs broke off while I was wiggling the parking light, trying to get the headlight door off before installing the headlamps. I found the tab but didn't know where it belonged. So, either the other tab didn't go in quite right, or it won't hold with just one. Oh well. If I don't get this one on Ebay, I'll have to get a new one.

[Edited by Robert W. Roe on 04-29-2001 at 10:21 PM]

Junkyard parts are usually good :)

Thanks for the replies. I've been looking suspiciously at the left front headlight assembly. I think there's at least one screw missing that should hold the thing on. I'm afraid to force it too much because it is 17 year old plastic.

Can I purchase just the speed nut (or whatever) that would hold the "steel part" of the car to the headlight assembly? The right side is firmly bolted on (although the headlight moves inside the assembly), but the left assembly moves quite a bit. It amazes me how much stuff has to come off (especially how brittle it is) just to change the headlight.

How do you put a new right front light assembly on?
 

Dear Sirs,
A woman ran into my car and I have to replace the right front light assembly. How is this done? I also learned thhat there are three different light assemblies for a 1989 420 sel. I am a lady but this website has really helped me.I no longer go to a mechanic without knowledge. Thanks!

The 1986 and newer cars are a bit different than my 1984.
Your owner's manual might have a section on replacing the headlight; that should get you at least halfway to total disassembly/removal.
On mine I had to first remove the electrical connectors, then the side marker lamps, then 3 or 4 screws .... I forget if you have to remove the headlight doors first; it's been a few years.
I don't recall the SD giving me too many problems; the W126 gives you some room to work, unlike one or two of the 124's screws, which are a real bear to get started.