[Merc owner]

Hi,

I've just bought an E220 estate in the UK and I have been trying unsuccessfully so far to work out how to remove the heater control knobs to allow their bulbs to be replaced. The Haynes book says rotate to left and pull but I and a mechanic friend couldn't get them off.

Please could someone advise how to get them off to allow the bulbs to be replaced.

I also need to replace the bulb in the rotary temperature control knob.

I'd like to use LED based bulbs if possible - has anyone tried this.

I have replaced my interior lights in the passenger cabin with bulbs from www.ultraleds.com, and although expensive if they last forever - thats fine with me.

 

[spanners]

If you mean the heater motor switch and the one that directs the heat to either up down or from the centre vents, they do just pull off.

They pull off in any position but can be very tight.

Try using a peice of cloth to protect the plastic and then grip it with pliers and pull.

 

[fat tony]

I take it that applies to the 300 CE, because mine bulb has blown as well.. lol

 

[spanners]

fat tony - 2/21/2005 6:39 PM

I take it that applies to the 300 CE, because mine bulb has blown as well.. lol

It certainly does.[]

 

[Merc owner]

Thanks for the responses, I've tried and a mechanic friend has tried, sounds like we need to try harder !

 

[Merc owner]

[]

GOOD NEWS

Thanks to your post I gave them a heave with a large pair of gas pliers - and hey presto

If anyone else needs the info, there are 4 bulbs in the heater panel, and their code / type number is 286

My local accessory shop thought they didn't sell them and advised me to go to the main dealer - Halfords sell them in the UK - although they ALSO thought they didn't!!

 

[kggkgg]

just a word of caution on the Halfords ones, I replaced one of mine with one from Halfords and found that it was much brighter and the control knob started to get a little hot.

K

 

[Merc owner]

Thanks Keith,

now you mention it I think they were a higher rating, but I have ordered some LED based bulbs from www.ultraleds.com as a low current consumption alternative, I'll post a note on the results when I get them later this week hopefully.

 

[Dohockey]

Hi Merc Owner

Now that you've solved the bulbs for the heater, have you come across a solution for the light behind the air vent controls? I'd like to find out how to change this one too.

I was told on another BB that if you insert a hex socket 4mm into the fresh air vent. The vent should pop out and then you should be able to change the bulb. However another post told me to be careful and disconnect the passenger airbag before doing this. I haven't done this yet so if you do please tell me your results.

 

[Merc owner]

Well, the LED bulbs arrived today , but the problem is that they are OK for the heater control knobs, but they do not work well for the "light pipe" that feeds the rotary temperature setting dials as they are very directional, so I've used the LEDS only in the knobs themselves, and left the normal bulbs in the other positions ( 2 off).

I have no ideas on the other bulbs I'm afraid.