Wanted: hens teeth, rocking horse poo and a unicorn!

[Merc_Girl]

 Well I might as well see if anyone has any of these as the items as the item I need may also be something of myths.

What I would like is a combination switch (on steering column) but there’s the difficult bit, for a RHD. Not only that, I don’t want to pay silly money. I currently have a LHD combination switch installed.

I know, I know, I’m far more likely to find the hens teeth, rocking horse poo and a unicorn before finding this item,. However, if I could ask you lovely folks to rummage in the far corners and crevices of your garages/workshops/man (or girlie) caves and see what you can find?

Not sure if there is any difference, but this is for an early 230SL

Thanks everyone, happy hunting ☺️

Katie

[Pawel66]

Katie, please note there are several threads and Tech Manual info about repairs.

Depends how desperate you are how damaged is the switch...

[Merc_Girl]

Thanks Pawel

Problem is that at some point someone replaced the RHD combination switch for that of a LHD.

It works but would like to get back to one originally supplied for a RHD 😁

[Pawel66]

Katie, something's wrong there.

There is no RHD switch for your car, according to parts list (EPC).

I have just one part number, A 001 545 55 24, and no indication there are two versions. Where does the information come form, that you need an RHD switch? Any part number? Any clue to verify?

For late 250SL and for 280SL there is a difference. For 230SL there is not.

Looks you have what you should have.

[Paul & Dolly]

It's the same part as far as  I know for R &L HD
I fitted a new one to my car about 2 years ago
The number on the box is as Pawel says.

Katie, what makes you think yours is incorrect ?

Keep well
Paul

[Merc_Girl]

Other than the stencils/symbols (wiper and indicator) are upside down

I guess if I lived in Australia they would be the tight way up 😂

[DaveB]

For info, this is a new 230SL combination switch 001 545 55 24. There are no stencils/symbols on it, except the manufacturer stamp 'VDO'. Your present switch is probably from a later car.
New switches seem to be priced around $400-500 USD. Maybe request a price from Tom Hanson at the Classic Center.
Or perhaps you could sand and polish the upside down symbols off yours!

[Paul & Dolly]

When I bought mine, a couple of years ago, for an early 250SL,  I found that the very expensive  Genuine  001 545 55 24 from Mercedes had no stencils on them, but the cheaper (but still expensive) copies available at the time from other outlets did have stencils, which would appear upside down for a RHD car.

I bought the former.

Paul

[Pawel66]

Ok, so based on the confirmations from Members, I guess options are to buy one from MB without stencils or sand down the existing ones, unless someone (in the UK, I guess) offers parts or complete switches with stencils facing the right way.

For me - if the original was without stencils, that is how I would make it...

I could not check availability for you, as the system undergoes maintenance now. The price here (no VAT) is about GBP 500. A short call to an MB dealer when you have part number will tell you price and availability.

[Merc_Girl]

Ooh, now that’s interesting!

I’ll contact MB to see if I can order one as I was told, not sure by whom, that these were no longer available ?

I’ve just looked in my ‘factory original Mercedes SL’ book and peered closely at the pictures where there are glimpses of the combination switch. No surprises, you folks are correct.

Question though. For right hand drive, the switch is on the right hand side, but on a LHD it is on the left.

I may be being simple here, so excuse me for a minute, so,:
- to turn left (in a RHD car) you flick the switch up
- to turn left (in LHD) you flick the switch down

Hence why the part is interchangeable as you are effectively fitting the unit 180 degrees?

Thanks all
😁

[Merc_Girl]

Sorry
Does anywhere  know who may have this part number A 001 545 55 24

Went to the MB website and appears they no longer manufacture these?

Thanks

[Cees Klumper]

A third option is what a previous owner did with my '72 Lancia, which is to put labels on top of the stalks ('lights', 'wipers', blinkers') in Norwegian, over the original Italian text. Then you can also put them right side up.

[Paul & Dolly]

Hi Katie

The Mercedes ones are made by VDO in Germany, maybe they do a short run when demand and price is right !

The cheaper versions used to be available on EBay Germany, maybe look there.

Also Dave from Derby often has W113 parts advertised in the "Gazette" if you are a MBClub UK member.

Good luck

Paul

[Pawel66]

Question though. For right hand drive, the switch is on the right hand side, but on a LHD it is on the left.

I may be being simple here, so excuse me for a minute, so,:
- to turn left (in a RHD car) you flick the switch up
- to turn left (in LHD) you flick the switch down

Hence why the part is interchangeable as you are effectively fitting the unit 180 degrees?

Thanks all
😁

This may just be a question of swapping two wires down beneath there. Not sure it is done this way, but it can be, I think.

[Paul & Dolly]

More to do with Clockwise and Anti-clockwise as seen by the switch.....when the wheel is turned...

Paul

[Pawel66]

More to do with Clockwise and Anti-clockwise as seen by the switch.....when the wheel is turned...

Paul

A! The whole steering column is turned - of course! Then left is left and right is right, just down or up. Thank you.