W108 getting into heater/ventilation controls on dashboard to replace light

[rutger kohler]

I posted on this topic over thirty days ago and when adding to it tonight got a pop up message suggesting i start a new post.  So I got some ideas, which i have followed from replies to the older post. 

Tonight I have removed the instrument cluster but this did not help.  I have also removed the wood bow on top of the vinyl dash top, and the vinyl dash top itself (see attached photo), but this has not helped in accessing the blown bulbs in the vent/heater lever control area themselves. I can see some of the round black boxes, with wires leading into them,  that one of the replies suggest but can't access them through the hole in the top of the dash.

Any other suggestions?

[jim 56]

I had to replace the blower motor for my w108 sedan tough job. Mine has the six cylinder.(1972) I had to take the panel with the controls out. There are two studs with 10 mm nuts on each side but I believe that you have to take the cables out also which is also very hard. Don't lose the clips and  remember which cable goes where. I think that is the only way to get to the light bulbs.

[rutger kohler]

Thanks for that, I was afraid that was going to be the case.  I think i will probably have to remove the radio to get to the nuts you are talking about. Can anyone tell me what the bulb type is and if they are available?  Would break my heart to do the extra work and discover i can't get replacement bulbs!

[ja17]

You should be able to change the bulbs by just removing the round plastic disc covers (one phillips screw on each).  It can be done through the speaker opening.

[rutger kohler]

Hi Joe, I can see the phillips screw heads but can't get a screwdrive in at them,  i even have a dinky little ratchet arrangement with a phillips screw bit in it but this is also too high to fit in. may look at getting my dremel to work.  Do you know the bulb type so I can order new ones plse?

[Pawel66]

Sorry to jump in: when I have an issue with height of the space to fit ratchet and no room for a screwdriver, I use the just the screwdriver philips bit with a spanner. I mean - if thre is enough space to insert my finger to hold the bit down against the screw head.

[rutger kohler]

No trouble jumping in Pawel, and a clever idea but no room to steady the screw bit and work the spanner, at the same time.  In the meantime I have managed to remove one of the round tops that Joe mentioned however the bulb holding mechanism is still firmly lodged inside the round cylinder still.  I have attached a photo which shows what ls under the removed round top. The big "bar' shown in the photo is one of the two electrical leads going into the cylinder. How do I free this bit up to get to thwe buld please?

[ja17]

The bulb holder with bar lifts straight up. You may need to twist is back and fourth a bit to free it up.