It must be the month for noises. Having just fixed the occasional clunk (or "nuck") noise in the door striker of my 190E, thanks to replies to my thread here, I now have a rattle in the dash of my '90 190E. It seems that one of the screws or fasteners that holds the console for the heater controls and radio has loosened. The driver's side (right side in my case) has dropped away from the dash very slightly (maybe only 1-2mm) and has a rattle coming from that area. Pushing up on the console moves it back into position and stops the rattle.

For anyone who knows the "behind the scenes" of the W201 dash, can you please tell me where such a fastener or screw lives and the easiest way to access it. I am hoping it is not a 10 hour, pull the dash apart job. Mine is incidently, the earlier half-length console that does not extend all the way down to the console housing the gear shift.

Thanks,
Greg

__________________
107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.

from what i remember,

there are 2 screws that hold the console up. they can be accessed just by removing the center vents. just pull the 2 vents out. ypu don't have to remove the plastic surround which holds(in my case) the sunroof button.

Thanks Locry,

I fixed it. It took all of about a minute. I was aware of those screws below the vents you referred to. I thought they secured the vent housing and did not realise they held the console. I did not even have to remove the vents. Simply tilting the vents down allowed access to the screws. The driver's side one was very loose as was one above the vents on the passenger side (accessible after tilting vent up). With the door noises and this rattle fixed, all is quiet again except for a few leather squeaks!

Greg

__________________
107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.