'90 126 Defrost actuator location/access?
 

I have read through the post and looked at my service manual and started taking apart the dash. The posts and service manual talk about removing the glove box and seeing the defrost actuator. 90 126's don't have a glove box and it seems that they redesigned the dash. I've taken off the left side of center console, removed the radio and dropped the climate control unit. I still can't see the actuator. Can anyone help me to get to the defrost actuator to check it out. I really don't want to just keep dissasembling the entire dash. Thanks for your help.

SOME '90 W126s have a glove box, my 300sel does. ;)

Remove your air bag and the defroster nozzle lies up and to the right, in the same spot as usual. You are in the wrong place judging by the pic.

Thanks, you are correct that the air bag needs to be removed. Even then, there is a lot of disassembly needed to remove defrost actuator (element). the defrost actuator is directly above the vacuum valves.
Thanks again for your help.

That is life, you are driving a car that was about $70,000 new... 20 years ago.

once you have the air bag out you will need to remove the frame that holds it in order to be able to remove and replace the defrost diaphram.while you are there do both of the fresh air door diaphrams or you will be going back again later.the good news is that your car has the later design brackets for the diaphrams and they only need to be twisted to come out.