[W126 Coupe] Gear Selection Labels: Do they light up?

[Paul Samarin]

Hi, Jeff--

First thing is that I'm about the furthest from being an expert on this  
list.  Second, I no longer have my SEC, so I'm only going from  
memory...luckily, my memory of what I already described is pretty  
accurate, I'm sure.  So, with those caveats, I'll suggest that unless  
one of the true experts jumps in and says there's no hope that your  
gray market 85 500 will be like my US 560, you ought to just take it  
apart and see.  It's a pretty easy diy job; tedious, but not tricky.   
The ashtray assembly is held to the console with two little screws that  
you can see when you remove the ashtray.  (They're easy to drop, so  
take your time.)  Remove the assembly, then the coin tray just pulls up  
and out.  You won't be able to see the little light bulb, but it might  
be visible upon removing the wood piece...that's a delicate job, so go  
very slowly:  it's held down by little tabs that break easily and it's  
quite expensive to replace.  After the coin tray is out, put your hand  
flat on the wood and gently slide it forward perhaps a 1/4 to 1/2 inch;  
it will then be free of the tabs and lift up.

Good luck!

Paul

On Oct 30, 2006, at 11:37 AM, jeffrey maniff wrote:

>
> Paul -
> Mine is an 85 gray market 500 SEC.  Would it still be near the console  
> as you suggest or do you think it is where Dick has stated (behind the  
> climate control unit).  Before I go digging i'd like to make the right  
> choice first.  Also, please let me know what you think of the light  
> switch.  Should that light up as well?
> Thank you
> Jeff (jsman24 at hotmail.com)
>
>
>> From: Paul Samarin <pauls at sbcglobal.net>
>> Reply-To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
>> To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
>> Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Gear Selection Labels: Do they light up?
>> Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2006 09:45:04 -0800
>>
>> This was not true on my 86 560 SEC.  Dawid, which car are you asking  
>> about?  IIRC, there were some differences with the center consoles  
>> around 85 or 86.  In any event, on mine there was a tiny light you  
>> couldn't see but could find with your fingers if you knew it was  
>> there:
>>
>> Forward of the wood center console piece is a coin tray.  To remove  
>> it you must remove the ashtray assembly first.  Once the coin tray is  
>> removed, you can find the bulb under the wood, left of the shifter.   
>> It is arranged horizontally, "pointing" toward the rear.  Feel around  
>> down there and pull the plastic piece straight forward and you will  
>> find the bulb inserted into that.  Replace it and shove it straight  
>> back in.  (Once you know it's there, it's just about where you'd  
>> expect it to be, I guess.)
>>
>> Paul
>>
>> On Oct 30, 2006, at 9:15 AM, Mister McGoo wrote:
>>
>>> Dawid;
>>>   
>>>  The bulb that illuminates the shift pattern on the centre  
>>> console beside the lever is inconveniently located behind the radio  
>>> and climate control units.
>>>   
>>>  -Bellamy
>>>
>>> > To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com
>>> > From: dawidl at solms.co.za
>>> > Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2006 08:23:28 +0200
>>> > Subject: [W126 Coupe] Gear Selection Labels: Do they light up?
>>> >
>>> > Hello, I have a question. Do the labels next to the gear selection
>>> > lever light up when the lights are on? I know typical manual cars  
>>> do,
>>> > of course not have 'lit' gear selection labels (since your hand
>>> > covers them anyway) but many newer automatics I've driven in do  
>>> light
>>> > them up when lights are on. The only older MB automatic I've driven
>>> > is a 1971 300SEL 6.3, and that, of course, does not light up.
>>> >
>>> > So I was wondering - should I be looking to replace a light bulb or
>>> > something, or is this normal? It's not a problem for me (I'm used  
>>> to
>>> > where the gears are) but just asking... All the other buttons on  
>>> the
>>> > centre console (window switches, etc) are lit.
>>> >
>>> > Dawid
>>> > The MB Coupes Website!
>>> > W126 SEC Mailing List
>>> > Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.
>
>
>> The MB Coupes Website!
>> W126 SEC Mailing List
>> Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.
>
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