Well, I got a schematic and determined if I shorted terminals 15 and 49 on the plug going to the 4-way flasher switch the blinkers should work. This is the normal "off" position for the switch and prevents you from energizing one or the other blinker while the 4-way flashers are operating. Well, I guess the broken levers inside the switch were an indication of an earlier problem, and, along with them being broken the contact that shorts terminals 15 and 49 didn't work.

So, I find the switch at the dealership is about $120 with my MBCA discount. The price from Phil is $28.XX with shipping of $6. Awesome. That is $100 less than the dealer's parts guy, who in all fairness told me to buy the item from the internet as aparently the MB corporate interest in supporting older cars has become a new profit center of its own, and the prices for common things, like these electrical items and windshield wipers are going out of sight.

So, thanks Phil and Fastlane/Parts. I hope this solves the problem and I can take the shorting clip I made out. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)