Removal of cover under passenger airbag - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

wjm · #1 07-03-2001, 12:42 PM

I need to check/replace the aspirator blower (aka interier temperature sensor fan) on my 94 E420. On most W124 they are easily accessible by removing the glove box. Since they added an airbag on the passenger side in 94, the glove box no longer exists.

Does anyone know how to remove the lower cover on the passenger side? I can remove a total of 3 screws underneath, but from there I'm stuck.

Willy

RM92400E · #2 10-08-2002, 01:51 PM

I believe I've heard this lower panel also referred to as a knee bolster. I've got the airbag out of the dash and can see the aspirator fan. I think if I could get this lower cover removed, then I could get to the fan itself.

What am I missing here to get this panel to release ?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Ray

RM92400E · #3 10-15-2002, 10:46 PM

Can anyone comment on how to remove this panel ?

I searched my CD's, but it appears that the CD's make the assumption that my car has a glove box.

Any help appreciated,

Ray

peterhardie · #4 10-16-2002, 03:02 PM

Ray and Willy:
I am completely unsure about removing the lower panel (we have a 92 124): the airbag is easy to remove (just handle it gingerly and be gentle removing the plug at the rear). If you look up under the dash, you will see a deep hole with a bolt recessed deeply into it. Undo that bolt (it is long) and pull it out, and the airbag should slide out rearward. You should have access to anything that a 124 with glovebox removed would.

HTH,

RM92400E · #5 10-16-2002, 03:08 PM

peterhardie,

I too was able to remove the airbag; however, I still could not get to the aspirator fan from above. I could see the fan and possibly get a finger on it , but not enough room to actually remove it.

It appears that access must be gained from below and behind, not through the vacant airbag hole.

Can anyone confirm this ?

Thanks,
Ray

peterhardie · #6 10-16-2002, 03:14 PM

SOrry, Ray, shoulda read your post more closely. Can you get to it by removing the upper center console switch panels (ACC and rear defrost, etc.)?

Or is it something above and behind the airbag itself?

RM92400E · #7 10-16-2002, 03:18 PM

peterhardie,

If you are facing the passenger airbag, the aspirator fan is located below and behind the right side passenger A/C vent.

Ray

wjm · #8 07-14-2003, 02:18 AM

Ray,

You still around? I see you have not posted in a while.

I was in my basement yesterday and noticed that I never installed the aspirator blower that I purchased over 2 years ago. Did you ever complete this project?

I understand that I can remove the air bag using an 10mm socket on an extension. Were you able to gain access to the aspirator blower once removed? If not, what did you have to do?

RM92400E · #9 07-14-2003, 10:18 AM

wjm,

Yes, I was able to complete this job. You will need to remove the passenger A/C vent on the far right of the dash. Once this is out, look down and you will see the screw that retains the lower dash panel. Remove this and you can then remove the knee bolster and gain access to the aspirator fan.

Good luck,

Ray

wjm · #10 07-14-2003, 12:12 PM

So, no need to undo the 10mm bolt underneath or remove the airbag?

Also, how does the vent come out?

Thanks

RM92400E · #11 07-14-2003, 01:34 PM

wjm,

I already had the airbag out, so I don't recall if you need to remove it to get the lower dash panel off - sorry.

With regards to removing the A/C vent, see this article:

http://mbca.org/pages/tech/MBCA_Remove_dash_vents.htm

Ray

wjm · #12 07-14-2003, 09:25 PM

Ray,

Thanks for your help. Aspriator replacement job completed. For the record, here's what I did.

1) disconnect battery (+)
2) Using a 10mm socket and extension, unbolt the airbag. There is a hole underneath the lower dash. Put the socket with extention in there until you get a bite on the bolt. Then unscrew. It's about 5 inches long... but not completely threaded.
3) Remove airbag by pulling it straight out towards you... may require a bit of back-forward movement. Unplug the 2 airbag plugs and put airbag aside. Careful to remember EXACTLY how airbag was plugged in.
4) remove screws on the bottom side of the passenger lower dash.
5) remove the other black plastic piece under the dash.
6) remove 2 upper screws holding the lower dash. These are seen now that the airbag is removed.
7) remove the right vent. there are 4 tabs that need to be lifted in order to pull the vent out. As you lift 1, pull hard on that corner so that it holds open.. then work on the one above it. That side should now start to come out. Next, release 2 tabs on other side and pull out vent. This can be a pain.. but it can be done by 1 person.
8) remove last 2 screws in vent area holding the lower dash in.
9) Carefully take out lower dash. Move it around, it will come out. Look at how it's currently in... it's just a bit tricky putting it back.
10) The aspriator is now visible. Unplug power and vacuum line and replace.

Start putting everything back once everything..

1) put dash cover back in place and replace all the screws.
2) put vent back in. Make sure vent is wide open first. Then from behind, hold the vent cowl (or whatever that's called) and push it forward as best as possible so that the vent snaps into it properly first before it snaps into the dash.
3) plug the airbag back in same way they were before. Push it into the slot.
4) Bolt the airbag back in.
5) reinstall any bottom black pieces you may have removed.
6) plug battery cable back in.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
W201 instrument panel cover removal	190edude	Tech Help	3	10-28-2004 04:08 PM
Climate Control cover (Consol) removal	Leewolf	Tech Help	6	08-09-2004 05:26 PM
M104 Upper Timing Cover Pin Removal	gillric	Tech Help	2	03-14-2004 11:00 PM
Passenger airbag disabling before dash work...	jeffj	Tech Help	1	11-05-2003 01:01 PM
240D passenger seat removal	twclements	Off-Topic Discussion	4	06-05-2003 11:29 AM