Couple W126 questions re:560SEL - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MikeTangas · #1 01-12-2002, 10:50 PM

Today after getting some of the interior back together I ran the car again for some further check out. Here are a couple things I noticed, hopefully someone can point me in the right direction.

1. The hazards work, all four corners flash but the turn signals don't. I have the hazard switch in place even though the switch panel is not in the car. When I try to indicate left or right nothing happens. Is this the flasher unit or combination switch bad?

2. I exercised the tranny a little more today, let the car register 6/10's of a mile (sitting on stands). Didn't notice this yesterday, but it jumped out at me today - as soon as the wheels started turning the antilock lamp came on and stayed on. Did not come on when in reverse, only forward gears. Sensor problem??

3. Last one for now, should I be able to operate the horn without the air bag inplace? The air bag is out and the crash sensor not yet connected, the horn contacts are right there, but I cannot get the horn to work. I have the city/country switch installed the same as the hazard switch. I'm thinking the steering wheel might need a slip ring kit. Opinions??

dpetryk · #2 01-13-2002, 08:43 AM

I could see the antilock light comming on since the front wheels were not turning during your standing run. ALso I agree with you diagnosis on the slip rings. The horn should work regardless of the state if the airbag. I would suspect the hazard switch for your light problem.

MikeTangas · #3 01-13-2002, 11:18 AM

OK, I didn't consider the fact the front wheels were stationary, I'll wait until the "maiden voyage" to see what happens.

I initially suspected the hazard switch as the cause of the blinker prob, and swapped it out with an extra I had on hand. Same results. After posting last night, I got bored so I started gutting the column to check out the combo switch. got the switch screws out but couldn't get the column adjustment switch to unclip, got frustrated and went to bed. I'll poke around some more later today.

The slip rings look like a very easy fix, appears they just pop out and pop in a new set, even have a relief under each pair of rings, which I guess is to aid in removal. Now to find the part number to see if I can get them through PartsShop/FastLane.

MikeTangas · #4 01-13-2002, 07:44 PM

Never finished trying to get the combination switch out today, decided to install the center console. I did do a little checking though.

Found that by jumping the two horn contacts on the face plate, the horn works in both city and country functions. So slip rings it is.

Next I played with the turn indicator and found that by moving the switch slightly I could get the left blinker to come on. It blinks very fast like one of the lights is out (or a trailer is connected) but front and rear light up. Could not get the right to work at all, no matter how much I moved the switch. Possible short or broken/weak wire in the combination switch???

Also found the burnt bulb that was causing the "lamp out" warning, actually two - gear shift indicator bulb and left tail (the bulb was separating from the base).

dpetryk · #5 01-14-2002, 10:47 AM

Sounds like you got it nailed. How difficult was the job of getting the steering wheel bolt out?

MikeTangas · #6 01-14-2002, 11:13 AM

Steering wheel bolt was a piece of cake. A little tight but nothing that couldn't be over come with counter pressure (one hand on the wheel one on the ratchet). Only thing I didn't like was that I had to use a shorty extension to move the ratchet out far enough to clear the wheel, that allowed for a little bit of wobble.

Next to figure out how to unclip the steering wheel adjustment switch so I can pull the combination switch. Well, maybe in a day or two.

dpetryk · #7 01-14-2002, 11:20 AM

Been there done that. Its been awhile. I had to replace the cruise control switch. Once the wheel is off, there are three small screws that hold the plastic covers over the column. But as I remember I ended taking off the interior parts from below the column. The trick is to not break the plastic parts. There was one place that I ended up breaking because I could not see a release clip. It is directly below the spline for the wheel at the 6 o'clock position. This retainmer clip is hard to get at and almost as hard to see. But if you dont get it off you will end up breaking something. Once its off everyhting just splits in half and its easy.

MikeTangas · #8 01-16-2002, 01:19 AM

I never found that clip. I did find that I could retract the column into the dash using the column adjusment switch. Once the column was fully retracted, everything just kinda came loose. Still trying to find an easy way to the connector though. Naturally, it is well concealed inside the dash, just above the steel plemun that traverses at the lower edge, just behind the lower cover.

I have located three nuts/bolts that attach the plenum. Removed the outboard two nuts and loosened the center bolt. This allows the plenum to be slightly moved. It's a tight fit getting at the connector. Looks like I can easily split it with a fine bladed screw driver, but reconnecting will be a bear. Contemplating pulling the instrument cluster to gain access, but not sure I want to do that...yet.

dpetryk · #9 01-16-2002, 09:33 AM

If you take out all the stuff from under the dash things are real easy to get to. Its worth the time to take it out and makes access to the connectors a breeze.

MikeTangas · #10 01-16-2002, 10:30 AM

I'll probably go ahead and drop the steel plenum. Do you know if there are only the three nuts/bolts holding it in, or do I have to pull the center console again to access one or two more on the inboard side.

So close and yet so far.

dpetryk · #11 01-16-2002, 02:45 PM

Its easy it takes 2 minutes to get it out. Two on the left side by the door and one under the steering column. You need a really long entension to get it. Hard to see but once you know its there its a snap. There is nothing on the inboard side at least on my 420's. Its a 10 mm bolt undet the steering column. I used an extension that is 24 inches long to get at it.

MikeTangas · #12 01-16-2002, 07:05 PM

Cool. I've already got the two outboard nuts removed and the center bolt loose. I'll pull the plenum after I finish the slip ring installation. I was able to get at the center bolt using a 12" 1/4" drive extension. It did take a bit of careful searching to locate that center bolt.

dpetryk · #13 01-17-2002, 08:35 AM

Its one of them MB secrets.

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