Entrance Light - 230 SL

[rjmarco]

My interior light under the dashboard, or what the owner's manual calls the "entrance light", is not working on my 230 SL.  The manual says that there is a switch to the left of entrance light to set it on, off, or operate with the doors.  Darned if I can find it however.  Anyone know where to look?  I have the MBZ air conditioning unit under the dash so I'm wondering if it is obscuring it somehow.  

Thanks,

Rich

[Jordan]

Rich, unless they the lights were different on early models the switch should be part of the light, on th left side.  You would just toggle it back or forward to set it.  It's just a little lever.  Perhaps yours is broken off.  Can you see a gap in the plastic light on the left side?  I don't have a picture of mine handy but if you do a search I know there are pictures posted showing the light and switch.

[KevinC]

Hope this helps

[rjmarco]

Thanks.  This was so helpful.  I found a small metal tab that moves the switch. 

Any experience changing the bulb?  Do you simply pry off the lens with a screwdriver head?

Regards,

Rich

[KevinC]

Just curious, do others have assemblies that look like mine or are they different?

I found this pic on SLS Germany site:

http://www.sls-hh-shop.de/popup_image.php/pID/1558/imgID/0

Hope this helps

[Iconic]

Kevin,
The one on the SLS site is the same as the one the MB Classic Center is currently selling as a replacement.
It is definitely not the original design in several different respects. Black switch knob, no silver surround, different retention in the dash pad, different electrical connectors, totally different part.

rjmarco,
If you have an original, they are delicate, so you might want to think about simply removing the dash pad(s) to gain access to the bulb.

[enochbell]

Just to confirm, Kevin, you have the original.  It looks exactly like mine on a very early '64.  And yes, they are fragile, I would remove the panel and pop the unit out from the back.

greg

[ptooner]

Just curious, do others have assemblies that look like mine or are they different?

I found this pic on SLS Germany site:

http://www.sls-hh-shop.de/popup_image.php/pID/1558/imgID/0

Mine is identical to yours.  I just had it out to remove the lower panel today.

GErry

[Iconic]

ptooner,
Are you saying yours is identical to Kevin's picture in Reply #2 or that it is identical to the one in the SLS picture?

[rjmarco]

I can attest to the fragility.  I pried my light out with a screwdriver tip.  It had some interference with the A/C unit and partially cracked.  Looked like it needed to be replaced anyhow so no harm don. 

Rich

[114015]

Well ....

the courtesy light /entrance light design changed several times throughout the W113's production period,

and today only the last style, the 113 825 0142 part is available; that's the one SLS and the dealers sell.
The earlier part (number) 113 825 0042 is NLA.

Nevertheless, the design of the early style (the one _with_ the chrome or silverish surround) changed slightly several times, especially there are different designs of the little light switch (knob).

If you do not like the modern replacement from MB (neither do I) there is only one way, hunt for a correct antiquarian one. :'(

However, we had a discussion about entrance lights here before a while ago. So, it's well worth to search for that on the forum. There were links to the Volkswagen courtesy light of those years which were very, very similar (but not absolutely identical). It's probably worth to go after those lights either.

Just my 2 cents ...

Achim

[IXLR8]

Hello--

I'm preparing the underdash panels for re-installation.

There is a little wiring harness for this light. Can anyone tell me which of the wires go to which terminals on the switch?

Thanks in advance....

the other Joe

[rjmarco]

Not sure this will help, but here's a picture of the light fixture that I found recently on the internet.  I had to order a replacement for mine.  I have it out and exposed but I don't have the car available as it's getting some exhaust work done.