Distributor cap on 91 300E
 

What's an easy way to get the lower allen screw off the distributor cap? The fan is in the way. Also my drivers door stopped illuminating the interior lights. Passenger door works. The drivers door switch has a good ground entering and leaving the switch. I lowered the door light under the door (which doesn't illuminate either and when I touch the ground side of the bulb contact with an old fashioned test light I hear a click under the dash and the interior light illuminates and stays on. Any ideas? Is there a control module that's bad?

Steve

The lower bolt on the distributor cap is a pain in the rear. I have usually replaced it with the belt and fan shroud off . I have replced it twice usually during other repairs. I remember using the allen key long side in the bolt and using a 1/4 inch pipe as a "cheater bar"on the short side of the allen key to break it loose. The bolt had severe corrosion on it. I Cleaned it with a wire wheel and put anti-seize compound on when I replaced it. The next timeit wasn't bad, it came right out. Get a Bosch cap. They last a long time.

I just happened to have done that operation today replacing the screening cap on my '90 300TE 4MATIC. I know what you mean, it is a bit inconvenient.

I used an (I think 5mm) allen socket on my 3/8" drive ratchet. I believe it was with a one-inch extension. Two-inches at the most. That was just the trick for breaking it loose. Then I used the long arm of one of those Bodhous (is that the right spelling?) ball-ended allen keys to spin it out.

Same going back in, using the ratchet (delicately, given the small size of the fasterner) to torque it down.

If I were looking for a better rig, I would go with a 1/4" drive allen socket setup, which would be more appropriate leverage-wise and would probably fit a bit better as well.

Cheers,
sc

interior lights
 

With Benzmac help, I fixed the interior light's problem. The cause of the problem is with the warning buzzer relay. This relay is located under the dash, I have to remove the ignition key switch. On my case, the mounting bolt was so hard to reach, I just install the new one without removing the old relay.

jack