What is this part?

[Fdevita]

Help - what is this part?

[114015]

Hm .....

Looks a bit like the rear lid of the ignition switch or so.
Should not come off by itself. Looks more as if it fell apart.

Have to look again at my ignition switch to confirm ....
 

Achim

[Fdevita]

Thanks Achim but while I do not know what it is, I do not think it from ignition switch.  I have been reconditioning the interior and have the glove box through radio and heater levers out. I think this came out from someplace around that side of the car rather than the drivers side.  Car starts and run fine without this part.

Any other ideas anyone?

[Jonny B]

How large in diameter?

[Fdevita]

1.5 inches.

Thanks in advance!

[Jonny B]

I also currently have my dash apart (dreaded heater core repair) and the only thing of that size on the passenger size of the dash I can find is the center light container for the heater lever control unit. I just cleaned that and mine (early 250 SL) has no part like you show. Perhaps there is a different unit in your car??

The clock is larger than that, the lighter, and heater control switch are not the right shape or size.

There are just not a lot of electrical bits on center to the far right part of the dash board. Something from the radio or aerial? Heater motor?

Could it be an auto archeological artifact?? That is something left over from a previous clean up??

[Fdevita]

  Aercheological aritifact 

[Jonny B]

Laugh if you will (glad to see that you did!). But when we were doing the heater core and carpet dye in my friend Barry's car - we pulled up the parcel shelf pieces and found an equestrian magazine from when his mother used the car as her back and forth the stables vehicle (circa late 70's, early 80's). You never know what you might find when you pull things apart.

[Bonnyboy]

Sorry - no idea what that part is.

I found an Omega wind up watch stuck under the carpet under the seat that looked absolutely knackered and leather strap was rotted out.  But after a new crystal and some buffing on my buffing wheel, is presentable and the darn thing keeps excellent time. 

[Fdevita]

I also went all the way to the heater core but found no magazines. Everything is going back in and working! 

Since October 2014:

- I had one side bracket and shield welded back on the heater core.  Rebuilt the valve with new O-ring, Flushed with water many many times, cleaned and polished it and re-installed. 
- Rebuilt blower motor assembly with new, reproduction motor from Buds Benz, new insulation and re-installed.  That was a job. 
- Cleaned and serviced vent controls. 
- In the process of replacing all interior MB tex from GAHH, including door cards and foot well cards.   Did most pieces myself but had to farm out the three top dash pieces with curves that I do not have the experience or talent to do. 
- reconnected the crankcase vent line; previous owner had it venting into the engine compartment!
- replaced fron subframe stabilizer bar
- replaced automatic transmission shifter bushings
- Sent the clock out for repair, works great now 
- Sent the radio out for radio and install of aux input. 
- Cleaned and serviced the lighter. 
- New (reproduction) sun visors - original ones were very very puffy!
- replaced rear diff bushing
- replaced rear axle rubber mounts
- replaced rear spring lower mount rubber bushings
- replaced shocks
- removed all Kuhlmeister air conditioning parts
- had the hardtop headliner replaced
- sandblasted and resprayed original wheels; new tires
- serviced brakes
- full tune up
- replaced all door seals
- Put soundproofing under the carpets - helps a lot.

Next up
- new convertible top
- sort out the adjustment for the windshield wipers (motor works but wipers do not move)
- fix intermittently working turn signals
- fix leaky trunk seal
- adjust automatic transmission to eliminate hard kick down
- glove box spring

Possible next big project
- pull engine; repaint engine bay and clean and polish all engine components

So... thats my 230SL story, except;

I cannot figure out what this crazy piece is.

[Jonny B]

Forgot to ask, was there any kind of stamp/logo of any type/numbers on the errant piece?

[Fdevita]

Jonny
No manufacturer. A part # 22906. Tried looking that up with no success.
Thanks

[Jonny B]

Thanks, sent the image to two of the local aces to see if they have any ideas

[Benz Dr.]

No one will find this part in the car. It's not part of a Pagoda. And if it is, I've never seen one before.

[Fdevita]

Thanks everyone.  Must be an archeological artifact as Jonny said.  I also sent it across to David at Buds Benz and he could not identify it either.

Leaves me wondering where the heck it came from and how it got into the recesses of my dash!

Thanks again, I will put this in the mystery parts box!

[Bonnyboy]

That piece has got me wondering.  Do you have a picture of the back side of that part.  It reminds me of a part of an old Lucas Switch that we used in a pinch to run the heater in an old Land Rover.   Maybe it broke off and those three springs launched the piece in to the far recesses of your inner dash. 

[Fdevita]

Here are the two pics, front and back.  Definitely looks like the insides of a switch or relay of something.  1.5 inches in diameter.

Thanks

[Flim]

Is it the internals of the main/dipped beam foot switch?

[Jonny B]

Ooh, I bet that's it!

[Fdevita]

If it is the internal parts for the beam foot switch, it must have been from a previous repair.  I have never seen the inside of that switch.  Almost (but not really) makes me want to dissassmble the existing working switch to see.


Thanks again everyone, I apologize for the mystery hunt!

[Flim]

No problem. Myself, I love a good ''what is it?''

Keep them coming....

[ja17]

It is definitely the internals of the ignition switching unit (rear electrical portion of the ignition switch).  Looks like Achim pegged it first.  There is a good chance that this is part of your original unit which someone has replaced. The reason that this does not look familiar to others, is that these are the internal parts which are not usually visible unless it is dis-assembled.

[Fdevita]

Ja17

That could definitely make sense as this car has had its ignition switch replaced.