Red Heater Control Button 280 SL (1969)

[Giancarlo Puddu]

I have a 280 SL Pagoda (1969), chassis number 113 0441201 0832  USA model. I need to change the red plastic control (bottom on the left)of the dash board heat control. I found and bought a new one. I would like to know how to do it. Thanks and regards to you all. Giancarlo Puddu

[J. Huber]

Hi Giancarlo. By button are you referring to the lever?

This may turn into the biggest little job you ever do. Broken heater levers are fairly common -- and replacing them often includes tearing much of the dash apart. You will likely have to take the radio, glovebox and clock out just to get access.

I paid my mechanic to do mine -- and I hope he is enjoying his new boat...

There is some great content in the Pagoda Tech manual. I'd start there.

[al_lieffring]

I would recomend replacing all 4 of the levers and the light bulbs inside the lever controll. Taking the dash apart to change only one lever, then having to do all it over again because one of the other levers breaks would would be frustrating to say the least.

[psmith]

I think he means the little red plastic triangle next to the heater lever.

[hill]

I did a set on a 107. Send the wife and kids away for the weekend. Because you will be using cusswords you didn't even know before the job began.

[Dave Vanecek]

I here there is a new set of controls that are installed from the front without taking the dash off and truth to this.
Dave V.
280 SL 1971

[tuultyme]

When I bought my car 6 years ago I replaced the blue and grey levers by taking out the whole unit.  I also replaced the bulbs at the time.  I should have changed the red ones at the time as they over time also broke.  So I did replace them one at a time without taking out the unit.  As I knew how they came apart I was able to replace them without taking out the whole unit.  I just took out the glove box and the radio and worked from under the unit.

[Benz Dr.]

I agree with Al. Replace all of them if they're old.

 The different style replacements are called dura levers. They don't seem to be available any more. They can turn the job into an hour but only if the cables are free.
If something is seized, and it usually is, you might as well start taking everything apart.
The bottom left lever has a dual purpose. It also opens and closes the heater valve. It's probaly stuck as well.
We just spent the last two weeks doing heater levers in 4 cars. A 250S and a 6.3 both of which are diffent that 113's and a pair of 250SL's.
I'm starting a new guy and he did most of this work. He's still here too......

[psmith]

Hey Dan, that's a good screening process.  If they come back after working on the heater levers, they might be keepers!