Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => Electrical and Instruments => Topic started by: rjmarco on February 06, 2022, 18:44:10
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Are all four heater levers supposed to be illuminated when you turn on the head lights or parking lights? Here is a picture of my dash board. Only three of the four are illuminated. The blue lever is not. My mechanic has told me that all my in dash bulbs are working.
Any suggestions for how to troubleshoot this issue? I suspect that all four are supposed to be illuminated. I'm having my Becker radio pulled for some work so this will present an opportunity to resolve the problem.
Thanks much!
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As far as i know there are two bulbs, one to illuminate the levers on the left and another for the right, see picture borrowed from ebay
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264979560096?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3D6784353e921e43838b842d0558d49953%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D264979560096%26itm%3D264979560096%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3Afdc74003-8780-11ec-b93a-aa52159bc983%7Cparentrq%3Ad075685017e0a6e5bb8141d2fff76ed5%7Ciid%3A1
The tech manual also describes the lights, it's strange that the bottom lever is illuminated but not the top, it says there's a clear tube that carries the light to the levels, perhaps it's dirty or slightly blocked?
https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/Levers
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This is the complete assembly
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284190987895?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item422b1a5677:g:H9cAAOSwFU9gg0qv&amdata=enc%3AAQAGAAACoPYe5NmHp%252B2JMhMi7yxGiTJkPrKr5t53CooMSQt2orsSwcmzw5CLtzTE60FqHcnq2Dgfw2jAMj0aFNKCyk%252BVAZUARMV4Lg8QeXDCCGcgOnK12Lv0M4Wkj7nhPj%252B9paf2XBWrzUIFzDTefUTNbos6uWYY7zp2Wx9uvlputxOZ7NuG4Krfwei%252BLtdUTS0ToGtIEUrwpzK5HD19FzFsiciBJvYc9eaw7aJf4Ru%252BZcnouuKegngPwrZ3kYlO6YOQg76FxRgmzLuKX9tSFvBMMj1zFxjQhrfJhfAejjlpg5xRvyeo4fYIDugbpneVrkmG%252BuqR8ZjbAPQkZwMGX2t9VxA7hYqesn%252BFN5rQduH4iib66ehbiHyCQWgKBfvc4oo1puQdyBS3QJHYiXTu1zxofq2Q2cERKXMw%252BwHUmaSAVkTuo7WZf9Pm6UD6oswURKMmJjs5rrZZBJjnvpE0kDqu0hFQ376si6G0J6w6hxG%252Bsg%252BjpEI9GQmjtCtmDm8hgHoAwDamdXX7qsOrPUwmQpxZ%252BZBzR8%252Fm%252FvUCYBBittgeDbfu2O996vV6d54csEMOelKQg7zfQaBYzuFL2%252FadNJRDJNbR5aOd5HAZXLJz7cPP81u0Ax9takZzv8j9%252Bm%252Buv5gCBFlA70afboxjcqRjVljZrNVDZkz1avBZek3EtOTA7UxNNRZUvCqUMBsIhmcRWfQuoPGrto2xEs28g5NXhbwMeV8eUYpiN85zSOIdLraN348sJEMuGHmRevxDCG5j%252FGRGTNcr9beUBG81%252BPBxmJD8%252BiklPyQyyvXqJKh27DKjg5ZNGUQSPLJcGL5IuzdcSL2opB6W75MLMCKj2JUJH3Xrz0KRThJn8Nz3zGH7veLJsMPan0jIL0PmJ7D8FkIni0dZJ0TCdQ%253D%253D%7Cclp%3A2334524%7Ctkp%3ABFBMxMToh9pf
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There is only one light for the left levers.
If one is not illuminated the lever is not correct.
Conclusion, change for the correct blue level.
Peter
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Just out of interest, what is an incorrect lever, are there different types?
Thanks
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Thanks to all for the great comments. I will study to photos carefully. The levers installed in my car were purchased from Authentic Classics several years ago and are the "early type" for the 230SL and 250 SL. I did retain the originals and will do a comparison. I only changed out the originals since I was doing other in-dash work and thought it would be a good renewal. I was concerned that the old levers would be brittle after 50 years.
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So, these are later levers, do these illuminate?
https://vintageeuroparts.com/index.php/mercedes-w113-230sl-250sl-280sl-heater-control-levers.html
And these are the early ones
https://vintageeuroparts.com/index.php/mercedes-w113-230sl-250sl-heater-control-levers.html
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Yes, both sets of levers allow for illumination.
The light does come through on the cars with the rubberized outer piece. The early levers are clear all the way through. The later style are to remove the sharp edges. This happened at VIN ending with 2979 on the 250 SL.
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Are all four heater levers supposed to be illuminated when you turn on the head lights or parking lights? Here is a picture of my dash board. Only three of the four are illuminated. The blue lever is not. My mechanic has told me that all my in dash bulbs are working. Any suggestions for how to troubleshoot this issue? I suspect that all four are supposed to be illuminated. I'm having my Becker radio pulled for some work so this will present an opportunity to resolve the problem. Thanks much!
You've got the correct levers for a 65 230SL. The early levers aren't very bright with the lights on - if your bottom left (red) lever is lit, you can bet the upper left (blue) one is lit too because they use the same bulb. It's just not bright enough to notice unless you're driving at night and even then it's not very noticeable. I've attached a picture of my heater levers with my headlights on. You have to look real close to see that the blue one is illuminated..
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sorry about that..here's a couple of representative photos (just figured out how to turn off the flasher on my cel phone).
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Thanks, Charles. I'll give this test a try after dark while inside the garage to see if I can see any illumination on the blue lever. Appreciate you sharing your example. Rich
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Hi, Charles.
Here is my test result in the attached photo. The light is clearly on behind the blue lever but it is only faintly illuminated compared to the others which are quite bright. I think this matches what you observed with your car. Thanks again for the suggestion.
Rich
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I recently had my entire heater control module repaired including the replacement of the two cylinders that hold a bulb in each. Over the years, the plastic cylinders had become fairly cloudy and I’m thinking that may have happened to yours as well. That condition could explain why the upper blue is not more brightly illuminated. All four of mine are quite bright including the upper blue lever.
I believe that Katie, Merc_Girl, recently had these cylinder replaced in her 230. I’d contact her to see if there was the same kind of improvement.
Full disclosure: my car is a 71 and uses a slightly different set of levers.
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I don't often drive my 230 at night, so i didn't notice, but i've just checked and the top left blue lever is much dimmer than the other three, i wonder if it's to do with the colour, perhaps it's denser, but i can't imagine why it would make such a difference, perhaps lots of cars suffer this. It's the same bulb and bulb holder that illuminates the bottom left and that one's bright, so makes no sense
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Has anyone replaced that center bulb with an LED bulb?
If so which one and where to purchase one.
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I haven't changed mine, but i've read that they are BA7s 12V 2W, looks like these are a replacement, probably widely available, but best check with the vendor that they are a direct replacement
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/miniature-and-subminiature-bulbs/ba7s-led-bulb-1-led-ba7s-retrofit-car/10/
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Not looking to revive/start a whole thread, but I have added some pictures/directions in the technical manual under https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/Levers on the heater lever lighting bulb replacement.
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Hi..
Just a quick thing if anyone is still looking at this old post…
While fiddling with my new radio…this fell out/down…I know what it is and ..it pushes back up..but because the plastic by the top screw is broken. It won’t stay put..the installed radio kinda holds it in place but,it’s not ideal….basically,am I screwed? Are these available and how would I fix it? Maybe an epoxy glue?..
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I have a W108 here now that had the exact same problem, and the black piece was epoxy glued. It did not hold up once you start operating the levers, so I would advise against it. We are sourcing a good used black plastic cap then will re-assemble and install.
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Thank you…
That’s what I thought …but,not what I wanted to hear…so..the search begins….what a nuisance..
Well,Vander,if you happen to find two…I’d be most grateful for a nod…
B
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These do crop up time to time on auction sites, or they're available new from most of the usual suppliers, at a price! Not sure if you can just buy the component parts though
https://www.niemoeller.de/en/w113/w113/B042/830/d83220a-lighting-heating-control-system-w108-113#:~:text=We%20offer%20Lighting,%20heating%20control%20system%20W108/113%20for%20your%20Mercedes
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For full members, there is a section in the Technical Manual with STL files for 3D printing parts. Dirk Balter has contributed files for the parts you appear to be referring to:
https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Restricted/3D-Printed-Parts (https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Restricted/3D-Printed-Parts)
Don't worry if you don't have a 3D printer, there are many services that you can email an STL file to and for a very reasonable price (much less than a Mercedes replacement part) get back the 3d-printed part. (JLCPCB (jlcpcb.com)is the company I've used most recently, but there are many others.)
-David
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Absolutely wonderful.. exactly what’s needed… I’m going to check this out in the morning… now to find someone in the UK that can do the job…
Thank you David..
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Ok… that is not as simple as it might be…
Clicked “download “ and all I got was this message… something wrong somewhere??
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Brennie,
Did you click the STL file name below the drawing for the piece you wanted? I just did that, and the STL file was downloaded to my Downloads folder.
Alternatively, I can right click on the STL file name and choose "Save Link As...", then I can choose where to download it and what to name it. (I am using FireFox, but I think all of the browsers should work pretty much the same). (I just tried it on the Chromium browser, and it worked exactly the same.)
-David
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Ok
I’ll try again…
Thank you for your patience..
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Ok… that is not as simple as it might be…
Clicked “download “ and all I got was this message… something wrong somewhere??
Looks like you are downloading on a phone. That won't work, use a Mac or a PC. You need an STL file viewer.... google for that for your device.
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Yes.. correct.. I am using a phone…
It’s what I was surmising… going to try my Mac tomorrow.. that should do it..
I know both tops are different.. one has one screw in it,the other,two I need the right hand one ,with one screw.. will it be obvious once I download the file as to which is which?
Thank you for your help too…
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will it be obvious once I download the file as to which is which?
Since the names don't give you any real clue as to which is right and left, you have a couple of options:
- As Peter suggested, download an STL file viewer for your Mac and look at the two parts.
- The parts are very small, and the actual cost of printing one is probably a couple of dollars; for me, the cost of printing is often overshadowed by the shipping charges. So, just print and replace both tops (or keep the other for later use).
- Upload one of the files to a 3D print service (like JLCPCB, for instance) and I think it will show you the piece to be printed. Then if it's not the right one, upload the other and delete the first (assuming it's the service you want to use).
-David
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Ok..so..I downloaded the two files successfully..but now I’m finding it difficult to send to the printer..it saying “ banned from sending” or some such wording??
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Hi, Brennie,
I don't think I can help you. The 3D printing services I've used have a web site, and on the web site is a button to upload an STL file. You click the button, choose the file you want to print, and it is uploaded to the site.
I don't know what service you're using, what you're trying to email, or what email program you're using.
With more details, a screen shot of the problem, etc., I might be able to offer advice.
-David
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I’m finding it difficult to send to the printer
To the 3D printing company's website?
To your personal 3D printing device?
To your personal laser or ink printer?
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Hi Brennie,
If you continue having problems, PM me. I can print the parts for you and mail them to you.
Meyer
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Brennie,
Do you know whether the piece that fell out, that you posted, came from the right side or left side of the heater controls?
The stl files that are posted on the group page are for the left side assembly. The right side is different, and so printing those files will probably not help you, if that's the side you need. See picture below.
I'm also including a screen shot of the two upper caps that posted on the group page.
Meyer
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test
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Hi Brennie,
I just saw your earlier message where you said you need the right side cap. As I mentioned in my earlier message, both of the files on the group page are for the left side cap (each side cap is composed of two pieces). So they will not be of any use to you.
Meyer
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Here is what i made with the 3D file of the tech manual:
it was OK for the black cover but the "clear" cylinders were not as clear as i thought.... so i glued at the back inside a miror tape which increase a lot the light and i grinded the front side to minimize the thickness....!
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Fantastic! Congratulations!
Alternative for clear cylinders is perhaps plexiglass pipe.
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The stl files that are posted on the group page are for the left side assembly. The right side is different, and so printing those files will probably not help you, if that's the side you need. See picture below.
I wonder if there's any reason the left side top (which we can 3D print), couldn't be used for the right side as well, obviously just leaving the opening for the wires unused. (It looks like one could print and trim the part, as well.)
-David
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I wonder if there's any reason the left side top (which we can 3D print), couldn't be used for the right side as well, obviously just leaving the opening for the wires unused. (It looks like one could print and trim the part, as well.)
-David
I believe these are the models I created a while back. At the time, no spares were available. The transparent cylinders on my assembly were ok. These will be tricky to print in transparent. The black caps can be used on either side AFAIR.
Hope that helps.